US backs ‘freedom of expression’
WASHINGTON: The White House on Tuesday expressed broad support for “freedom of expression” and assembly in Pakistan but stopped well short of encouraging demonstrations against President Pervez Musharraf.
“I have not heard anyone in the administration actively encouraging anyone to do anything but return to civilian rule,” spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters asking about possible US support for the protesters. “What we have urged is for there to be calm and exercise of restraint by all parties, including President Musharraf and his army as well as the people there.
We’d like to see an immediate return back to civilian rule,” she said. Pressed on whether the United States backed the anti-Musharraf demonstrators, as it had recently anti-government protests in Myanmar, Perino replied:Let me put it this way: We certainly support the right to free speech, and freedom of expression and freedom to assemble.
Source: The News
Date:11/7/2007
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