US assistant secretary of state Christina Rocca urged Pakistan to return to democracy as soon as possible to remove obstacles to better bilateral relations. We would like to see Pakistan resume, as soon as possible, a system of democratic, constitutional government in which civilians elected in free and fair elections are in charge, she said in a statement. We would also like to see political parties allowed to function freely, including the ability to assemble publicly without fear of arrest. Rocca said that Washington was reviewing the sanctions regime against Pakistan, most of which concern Islamabad's nuclear programme. The top US policy maker on South Asia, who arrived in Pakistan on Sunday, said that the sanctions had prevented Washington pursuing cooperation with Pakistan as far as would be hoped.
She has hinted that the nuclear-related curbs, imposed also against India following its nuclear tests in 1998, could be relaxed, but those slapped on Islamabad after the coup were less flexible.
Even should nuclear-related sanctions be lifted, section 508 of the foreign assistance act remains in place. This provision requires a return to democratic government before US assistance in most areas can resume, she said.
Bureau Report