America would like to be an observer, rather than a participant in Pak affairs: Spokesman

The US State Department has said that Washington is keeping a close tab on developments in Pakistan, and will for the present, like to be an observer rather than a participant in Islamabads affairs.

Washington, Aug 30 : The US State Department has said that Washington is keeping a close tab on developments in Pakistan, and will for the present, like to be an observer rather than a participant in Islamabad's affairs.

"We're looking closely at what is going on in the Pakistani politics, but I think we'd like to be observers rather than direct participants at this point," said Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey.

"We maintain contacts with representatives of all major political parties and factions in Pakistan," he said.

"I'm sure that we've had discussions at least with some of the folks in Pakistan about their views on these discussions," Casey said.

Casey described the government-opposition talks as a process the Pakistanis need to work through on their own, and added, "I expect we'll have an opportunity to hear from individuals from those parties over the coming days."

He acknowledged that the US Administration had been keenly watching the talks between the representatives of President Pervez Musharraf and those of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and others.

"The primary concern for the US and Pakistan is that there (should) be free, credible and transparent elections there," said Casey.

The US, he said, would want to see the government-opposition talks to end in a process that's credible.

Casey said entire political process should end in the formation of a government that's going to have the support of the people.

Asked if the US would want to see Musharraf step down as the Army Chief, Casey said: "We want to see this worked out in a way that allows for a set of free and fair elections and one that's credible in the eyes of the Pakistani people."

He said the United States expects Gen. Musharraf to honour his commitment as it expects all world leaders to honour the promises they've made, the Dawn reported.

ANI