US calls for end to emergency

By Anwar Iqbal

WASHINGTON, Nov 9: The White House on Friday demanded an early end to the state of emergency in Pakistan while the State Department noted that house arrest orders for former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto were withdrawn following a US demand that they be revoked.

“We want an early end to the state of emergency. We want them to get back on the path to democracy, which means having free and fair elections,” said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council, which is affiliated with the White House.

Mr Johndroe had earlier demanded that “Ms Bhutto and other political party members must be permitted freedom of movement and all protesters released.”

“We understand from the government spokesman that she’s going to be allowed to leave,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told a briefing in Washington after officials in Islamabad announced that house arrest orders for Ms Bhutto have been withdrawn.

On Thursday, the White House had welcomed Islamabad’s announcement that Gen Musharraf has agreed to hold parliamentary elections by Feb 15, about a month later than they were due.

But on Friday, Mr Johndroe was expressing lingering concerns about the situation.

“We remain concerned about the continued state of emergency and curtailment of basic freedoms, and urge Pakistan’s authorities to quickly return to constitutional order and democratic norms,” he said.

“It is crucial for Pakistan’s future that moderate political forces work together to bring Pakistan back on the path to democracy.”

At the Pentagon, officials voiced concern that the political turmoil will undercut the Pakistani army’s fight against insurgents along the Afghanistan border.

At the State Department, an official told Dawn that the US wants to “see a steady restoration of the constitutional normalcy and civil liberties in Pakistan.

“We believe President Musharraf should step down as the head of Pakistan military and should set a date to do so. We want the government to rescind the state of emergency, release detained political leaders and activists and set a firm date for election,” the official said.

“The US is also urging the Pakistani government to drop restrictions on the media and we commend the Pakistani journalists for their constant and peaceful efforts to inform the public,” the official added.

Dawn 10/Nov/07