Fix 'serious distortions' before elections: US to Pak
Washington,
Jan,30:
US
Assistant
Secretary
of
State
for
Central
and
South
Asian
Affairs,
Richard
Boucher,
has
told
a
sub-committee
of
the
US
House
of
Representatives
here
is
pushing
Pakistan
to
fix
“serious
distortions" in
its
prevailing
system
of
governance
before
the
February
18
elections.
Testifying before the National Security and Foreign Affairs sub-committee, Boucher reportedly conceded that “if history is any guide," some fraud might occur. However, he said, a vibrant, though restricted media, and international observers, including US officials, would help curb cheating during the forthcoming polls.
According to the Daily Times, he said Washington is doing everything to ensure a fair election, including preparing teams from the US Embassy to monitor major races around the country.
When asked if the situation in Pakistan could develop like the one in Kenya, where fighting after disputed elections has resulted in hundreds of deaths, he said, “We"ll know in two weeks."
Boucher said the US would respect the people"s verdict and was not wedded to any individual or party. Asked what the administration would do if President Musharraf was rejected at the polls, he replied that a fair election was not contrary to “our goals".
He also said that the Bush Administration does not support an UN investigation into the assassination of Benazir Bhutto and stated that the restoration of the deposed judges of the higher courts was a matter best left to the incoming government in Pakistan.
As far as direct US military intervention in Pakistan is concerned, he said Pakistan is a sovereign country and had the right to decide what it considers best-suited to its interests.
ANI