US for avoidance of violence, freedom of expression

The United States on Wednesday urged restraint on part of all political forces in Pakistan and called for resolution of political issues in accordance with the law and constitution of the country. The State Department said the United States supports the democratic right to expression and assembly but underscored the need for avoidance of violence and respect for the rule of law by the opposition parties.
"Our position remains basically that we support freedom of speech, of expression, of assembly in Pakistan, what we think is important is that the various parties try to resolve their differences within the political system of Pakistan and in accordance with its constitution and respect for the rule of the law,? State Department spokesman Robert Wood said. He was asked to comment on the latest situation in Pakistan in view of the opposition parties planning a march to press their demands.
"We are obviously going to be following the situation, but, at this point, we want to see all parties refrain from violence and act in accordance with Pakistans constitution," Wood stated. In response to another question, the spokesman remarked that Pakistan has a sovereign government which takes its decisions on its own and what he is describing is the long-standing U.S. policy on freedom of expression and assembly.
Asked about the US position on reinstatement of the judges, deposed during emergency period in November 2007, the spokesman replied: "That is something thats going to have to be determined by the Pakistanis in accordance with their laws and their constitution. I cant go beyond that."
Meanwhile, Democratic Senator John Kerry said Wednesday that the United States must do what it can to "sustain the democracy" in Pakistan amid angry public protests against the government. General David Petraeus, the US military commander for the region, and Richard Holbrooke, the special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, will brief lawmakers Thursday on the Pakistans political crisis, said Kerry.
Pakistans leaders "are working very, very hard to try to reach an agreement that will bring elements of the government together in unity and allow them to go forward," said Kerry, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. "Our objective, obviously, is to sustain the democracy," he added after talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. "Theyre getting their feet under them right now, so we need to be helpful, we need to be supportive."