Pak should not take steps that would undermine democracy: US

WASHINGTON: The US has said that in the aftermath of twin blasts in Karachi the Pakistan government should not take any steps that would undermine the democratic process in the country or make it harder for the people to participate in free and fair elections.

"We do not wish to see any actions take place that would undermine the democratic process in Pakistan or make it harder for the Pakistani people to have an opportunity to express their views in free and fair elections," State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey said.

"We hope to see that a thorough investigation is conducted of this. We do not know who is responsible for this terrible attack, but we hope that the individuals who are found guilty be brought to justice," he said.

The Bush administration, however, refused to speculate the individuals and organisations behind the Karachi blasts even as senior officials are pointing to the Taliban and the al Qaeda as extremist outfits that have unleashed their terror potential in the country and its leaders before.

At the White House, the Spokesperson emphasised that the President George W Bush is concerned that anytime a moderate Islamic state like Pakistan takes steps toward stabilising democracy, the extremists are coming in the way.

"The President is concerned that overall, when you look at a moderate Islamic state like Pakistan, that any time they try to make moves towards stabilizing their democracy, that radical Islamic extremists do something in order to try to stop that progress, and that is a concern to the President not only in Pakistan, but in the entire region," Press Secreratry Dana Perino said.

"One of the reasons that we are actively engaged is to try to make sure that we can stop this trend of radical Islamic extremists from murdering innocent people, especially the women and children. But I don't have additional information about anyone who is claiming responsibility," Perino said declining to comment on who may have been responsible.

The American Ambassador is in touch with Pakistani officials, Casey said.

"We know that Al Qaeda and the Taliban and those associated with them have tried to undermine the Pakistani government and efforts at Pakistani democracy. That includes through attempts to assassinate President Pervez Musharraf because of his willingness to confront extremism in his own country," he said.

"So we are working with them, and I know that part of the efforts of many of the political parties in Pakistan is to be able to help themselves have a free and open and transparent electoral system. That's the way you choose leaders, not through political assassination," he said.

"We would hope, that whoever the Pakistani people elect, that there would be a common cause among all the parties in terms of recognizing the threat posed by extremism and being willing to work with the US and others in the international community to confront it," Casey said.

So I would hope that, not only as a result of this, but just based on the interests of the Pakistani people and all the political parties, that people would decide that whatever differences they might have over other issues, there should be a coming together to work with the US, to work with the international community to be able to confront what's a serious problem for Pakistan, as well as for the rest of us," he added.