Bhutto has a place in evolving mix in Pakistan, says Rice

WASHINGTON: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto does hold a position in the evolving situation in Pakistan but the people would have to determine whether she is the one to lead for the restoration of democracy, a top Bush administration official has said.
    
The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in an interview to 'The New York Post', hailed the role of Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in the fight against terrorism and extremism and for bringing the country back essentially from the brink.
    
"I don't see why not," Rice responded when asked if Bhutto had a place in the evolving mix.
    
'... there will be, we believe, and there should be a contested parliamentary election and that people ought to be able to participate,' she said.
    
When asked whether Bhutto was the right figure for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, given the corruption charges against her, Rice said, "That's going to have to be a decision that Pakistani institutions and Pakistanis make about whether or not she's a viable political force. That's not something the United States can decide."
    
"The parliamentary elections, in particular, are going to be a real test of the willingness of the government to really allow for free and fair elections and we're pressing that case very hard," the Secretary of State said.
    
She said Musharraf has done a really good job of bringing Pakistan back from the brink. "I mean, it was really on the brink of extremism and he's really a good ally and made clear that he doesn't think a modern Pakistan can exist with an extremist core."
    
"But moderate forces do need to unite in Pakistan in order to be able to continue to resist extremism and to carry on with the considerable economic progress that the reforms have brought about," Rice added.