US denies interference in Pakistani politics

WASHINGTON: The United States has denied any involvement in the Pakistani political system as it reaffirmed its support for the civilian rule, saying the return of democracy has strengthened the key regional country.

Speaking in the wake of this WikiLeaks' disclosures of US classified cables, a top State Department spokesman would not comment on contents of any particular cable, but stressed the United States and Pakistan are developing a strategic partnership which includes cooperation on both the civilian and military sides and that this cooperation would continue ahead.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip J Crowley said the United States very clearly supported a return to civilian government in Pakistan, about two years, ago but did not in any way influence the election result.

"We spoke openly. We spoke for the record. Everyone can go back and see clearly that the United States was encouraging Pakistan to move and to return to civilian rule, and we are gratified that Pakistan has done that. And we believe that Pakistan is stronger as a result. The United States Government didn't dictate who the candidates were.

The United States government didn't dictate the result," he said when asked if Washington has been interfering in Pakistani politics.

"We are working closely with President (Asif Ali) Zardari and, of course, President Zardari is in his position not because the United States dictated it; because tragically his wife was killed while campaigning for a high office.

We work effectively with Prime Minister (Yusuf Raza) Gilani. Prime Minister Gilani was not placed in this position by the United States. He was elected as a member of parliament and through the parliament through the Pakistani political system," the spokesman added.

The Obama administration, he said, will continue its partnership with the Pakistani democratically elected leadership.

"We have an effective relationship with President Zardari, and that will continue. We have a close relationship with Prime Minister Gilani, and that will continue. We engage directly and frequently with Foreign Minister (Shah Mahmood) Qureshi. Those three individuals and others, they are serving the national interest of Pakistan," Crowley remarked.

He said it is not for the United States to dictate who will be a president, prime minister, or a foreign minister. "These are choices made within these countries, and we will work with the leaders that are chosen by the people of Pakistan, in this case, and anywhere where there is a democratic process that produces a government that we have the ability to work effectively with and on local, regional, and national issues."

On the military side too, he noted the close cooperation between the two militaries would continue.

"We'll put the documents aside. We are building a strategic partnership with Pakistan, and that is manifest in the strategic dialogue that we have had on multiple occasions this year in Washington and in Islamabad. Our partnership has multiple dimensions. One, on the military side, there is extensive cooperation between the Pakistani military and the United States military, and we would expect that to continue," he responded when questioned if WikiLeaks will any way affect the military ties.

"And on the civilian side, we are building up helping to build up the capacity of the Pakistani Government to deal with a range of challenges, not the least of which is recovering from the recent flooding.

This is in our national interest. It is in Pakistan's national interest. President Zardari once again affirmed the importance of our cooperation and the support and partnership that is involved in our relationship, and we would expect that to continue," the spokesman added.