Insisting that it is against re-imposition of emergency in Pakistan after the killing of ex-Premier Benazir Bhutto [Images], the US has said it is in touch with a number of countries, including India, seeking promotion of peace and stability and development of political system there.

"We would not want to see a re-imposition of emergency law and I am not aware that in any of our conversations with Pakistani officials anyone has suggested that emergency law or emergency rule might be re-imposed," State Department Deputy spokesman Tom Casey said in Washington on Friday.

On the assassination of former Premier Benazir Bhutto, he said: "We certainly, again, continue to express our condolences... We have continued to encourage calm. And we have of course also reiterated the point that we believe it is important that the political process, the process of developing Pakistan's democracy continue."

"So there have been a number of contacts along the way there. I also know that (Assistant Secretary) Richard Boucher and Under Secretary Nick Burns have been consulting with a number of other countries that certainly have all had an interest in promoting peace and stability, and development of the political system in Pakistan."

"We are all interested in seeing that, in light of this tragic incident, that things still are able to move forward and that Pakistan is able to continue down a democratic path," the senior official said.

"Canadians, French, British, Russians, among others. That is certainly not an exhaustive list, but that is just a few that were mentioned to me� I believe the Indians have had discussions as well. I am sure we have also been in contact with the Afghan government and some of the other neighbours of Pakistan," Casey said.

The State Department official pointed out that interim Pakistan Prime Minister Mohammadmian Soomro has spoken of the intention to proceed with the general election of January 8.

"I have not heard any individual party leaders or others suggest that that is impossible to do. Certainly, though, I do think we also have to be sensitive to the fact that this tragic assassination happened on Thursday; that former Prime Minister Bhutto was just buried.

"I think we all ought to probably be willing to give not only members of her party, but other political leaders in Pakistan may be perhaps a day or two.... to make some more considered judgments about whether there is any need to make changes," Casey said.

Regardless of whether the polls happen on January 8 or some date shortly thereafter, "what is important is that there is a certainty on the part of not only Pakistan's political leadership, but the Pakistani people that there will be a date certain that they will be choosing their new government and new leadership."    

"But from our perspective, the fundamental position of the United States, our fundamental strategy is to help Pakistan develop these (democratic) institutions, to help Pakistan develop its economy, to help Pakistan deal with some of the underlying problems in places like the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas)

"So we are going to continue to work with President (Pervez) Musharraf, the government of Pakistan, with the various political players in that country to promote those goals," the senior US official maintained.

Asked if in its conversations with another former Premier Nawaz Sharif the US has urged him to reconsider the threatened boycott of polls, Casey said Washington encouraged all moderate forces in Pakistan to work together and cooperate in a common fight against extremism.

"But former Prime Minister Sharif, as well as other political leaders are going to have to make their own calculation and their own decisions as to what to do. Certainly, we would encourage him and all others in Pakistan to participate in the political process and to help ensure and help work to see that the elections and that that process are more open and fair and transparent," Casey said.

The Deputy Spokesman said, "We would certainly encourage him (Sharif), as well as all others, as well as all political parties, to participate in the process and, again, with an eye toward ensuring that there is the broadest possible opportunity for the Pakistani people to choose among a variety of legitimate political actors in the country."

More generally, Casey argued, it is not the business of the US to anoint candidates or pick leaders for Pakistan.

"But these are decisions that the Pakistanis themselves are going to have to make. The US is not in the business, in Pakistan or anywhere, of anointing leaders or picking and choosing among political leadership.

"We do, however, have, and we have been vocal and continuously supportive of the idea of having all moderate forces in the country, regardless of who their individual leaders are, work together to confront a common enemy and a common set of problems. And that's still our goal and that is what we're going to continue to pursue," Casey maintained.