The United States has said that it does not agree with President Pervez Musharraf's assertion that imposition of emergency in Pakistan was necessary, and will keep counseling him to restore the constitution so that elections can be held in a free and fair manner.
Musharraf had said that emergency was imposed to ensure that elections are held in an undisturbed manner.
"I know President Musharraf has talked about the fact that he thought it was important to have a state of emergency in order to have free and fair elections. Our view is different than that. We think it's... hard to imagine having a free and fair election," State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said.
The spokesman also rejected Musharraf's claims that emergency rule enables him to deal with suicide bombers and terrorists more easily.
"Whether or not there's a state of emergency, Pakistan has faced a threat from violent extremism. It's the same group of violent extremists that pose a threat to us, as well as Pakistan's neighbours. So that is something that is ongoing," McCormack said.
When asked why the US should expect Musharraf to be more cooperative when Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte visits Pakistan this week after he virtually rebuffed calls from President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, McCormack admitted that the General was "not answering to the United States".
"We're a friend; we're counseling him. We're counseling him with the advice that we think will most benefit the Pakistani people and Pakistan in the future," McCormack said,
adding Musharraf had taken some positive steps like announcing that he will doff his uniform and hold elections early next year.
McCormack said Negroponte would reiterate the US' view when he visits Islamabad. "...I'm just anticipating that President Musharraf would meet with him, but I don't -- I'm
not going to be so rude as to announce any meetings on behalf of President Musharraf," McCormack said.
The spokesman also said a successful election in Pakistan did not hinge on the US, but should depend on the will of the country's people.
"It's not for us, necessarily, to sign off on elections. First and foremost, they have to reflect the will of the Pakistani people. The Pakistani people have to believe that they're free and fair."
