US Embassy spokesperson Elizabeth Colton on Sunday denied reports that US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher had met with Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif only over the issue of judges. In a statement, the US Embassy spokesperson said that the reports were completely unfounded that he was meeting them over the judges' issue.
"Restoration of judges is Pakistan's issue to solve. It is not for the United States to prescribe solutions" she said. She said that Richard Boucher on Sunday en route from Bangladesh back to Washington, had stopped in London to consult with his UK Foreign Office counterparts. "In London, Assistant Secretary Boucher also took the opportunity to meet with Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif, who were both in London", she said.
The spokesperson said these meetings were part of Assistant Secretary Boucher's regular interactions with a wide range of Pakistani political leaders. She said: "Our interest is in supporting Pakistan's democratic transition, and continuing our common struggle against the Taliban and al Qaeda."