Press Briefing of US State Department on Pakistan Issues

[pkpatriotic]

Here is a press briefing issued by US State Department, It covers issues related to whole world, but here I am quoting the portion of discussion on Pakistan's issues to share here.............It's self expalinatory and some how can imigine the happeneings in coming days:

Daily Press Briefing
Gonzalo R. Gallegos, Acting Deputy Spokesman
Washington, DC
August 7, 2008

TRANSCRIPT:
12:52 p.m. EDT
MR. GALLEGOS: Good afternoon. Thank you for coming. I’ll take a point of privilege here as this – as we’ll be continuing our practice of not briefing on Fridays. Unless there’s something substantial that happens that causes me to need to do it tomorrow, this will likely be my last day at the podium.

I’d like to, first of all, thank my staff, who’ve worked very hard and supported me throughout the two years that I’ve been here. Secondly, I couldn't have done this job without my family, and I give them many thanks. And I want to thank you all, the working press, who have made this an enjoyable time and one of the most interesting jobs I’ve had in the Foreign Service.

So with that, I will take your questions.
QUESTION: We’ll miss you, Gonzo.
MR. GALLEGOS: Thank you, Matt.
QUESTION: That’s all I have. (Laughter.)
MR. GALLEGOS: Thank you.
Sue.

Small portion for world afairs other then Pakistan
QUESTION: So, any movement on these possible outlines of a resolution? You know, have you had consultations? Have you managed to speak to the Russians, who say that, you know, the Iranians need to be given more time for dialogue and that they don’t agree with this sanctions suggestion of yours?
MR. GALLEGOS: Well, our allies agreed that the Iranian answer was not adequate, that it was not really a serious answer. The political directors agreed in their call that the Iranian answer was not adequate and it was not serious.
While the incentive track remains open, the political directors agreed that in the absence of a clear and positive response, we have no choice but to pursue further sanctions, and we’re discussing next steps and beginning to consider the possible outlines of another sanctions resolution. We continue our discussions. We will move forward with this. And that’s where we are.
QUESTION: So what discussions have you had? Has Bill Burns been on the blower speaking to people or --
MR. GALLEGOS: I don’t have any particular information about any calls he may have made after Wednesday’s call or that he may have made today. But this is obviously something that we can do over telephone, sharing information via e-mail and other communications. So it’s a process that’s begun.
As we said, the incentive track remains open; however, the door is also opened to the disincentive track, and that is where we’re headed.
Yes.

The portion of press briefing for Pakistan
QUESTION: Hi. The ruling coalition in Pakistan has decided to impeach President Musharraf. Your comments on that? And was this discussed – the issue discussed during the Pakistani Prime Minister’s visit to Washington last week?
MR. GALLEGOS: I don’t have any information that this was discussed. In terms of meetings with the President, you’ll have to go to the White House. I don’t have any information that it was discussed with the Secretary.

We are aware of the reports. We have consistently said the internal politics of Pakistan is an issue for the Pakistani people to decide. Our expectation is that any action will be consistent with the rule of law and the Pakistani constitution. It is the responsibility of Pakistan’s leaders to decide on a way forward to succeed as a moderate, modern, and democratic country.

QUESTION: But, do you realize that by saying that it is an internal affair of Pakistan, you are sending a huge message? I mean, basically, you’re saying that they can do whatever they want to do with him? They can hang him. They can, you know, whatever --
MR. GALLEGOS: Our message to Pakistan has been consistent. We expect that any action will be consistent with their rule of law and the Pakistani constitution.
QUESTION: You aren’t concerned losing – of losing an ally, as Musharraf?
MR. GALLEGOS: We remain close allies in the war on terror, and we’ll continue our close ties with the democratically elected Government of Pakistan.
Yes, Sue.
QUESTION: Are you not concerned, though, that such political uncertainty created by this move will create even more instability in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, which has become much more of a headache for the U.S. in terms of, you know, your own national security and the troops that are at risk there?
MR. GALLEGOS: No, we understand what is happening. We are following it closely. We’re discussing it with our interlocutors there in Pakistan, watching. And our message is that we expect any action is going to be consistent with the rule of law and with their constitution.

Goyal.
QUESTION: First of all, we will really miss you, as Matt said, and you have been a wonderful source of information and always very smiling and helpful.
MR. GALLEGOS: Thank you.
QUESTION: And the question is that -- since you are going to Pakistan, I understand --
MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.
QUESTION: And one of the most dangerous regions on the earth today as far as terrorism is concerned. And like my colleague’s question as far as Musharraf is concerned, U.S. has been protecting Musharraf even though he was wrong on many occasions. But what kind of message you think you’re carrying to Pakistan from the Secretary of State or from the U.S. Government as far as your presence in Pakistan? Very important.
MR. GALLEGOS: Well, the message I’m going to carry to Pakistan will be consistent with the message that I’ve tried to express, and that my bosses have expressed consistently while I’ve been here the last two years, and that is: Any actions that occur in Pakistan we would expect will be consistent with their law and with their constitution.
Yes.
QUESTION: Did they consult the U.S. Embassy before coming to this conclusion to impeach Musharraf?
MR. GALLEGOS: I don’t believe they would have felt it necessary to consult. Now, our Embassy people and our – at the Embassy do have conversations with interlocutors from all parties throughout most, if not all, regions of Pakistan. That is what we’re there to do: know and understand as well as possible what is happening. And so we are communicating with those interlocutors that we have to get a better understanding of what’s happening and why it’s happening.
QUESTION: Gonzo --
MR. GALLEGOS: Yes, Elise.
QUESTION: Even though you’re saying that this is an internal Pakistani matter, during the last time when Musharraf imposed the state of emergency, before he did that, you were very public about the fact that he shouldn’t do it and urged him very publicly not to do it. Is – are your interlocutors in Pakistan urging him not to impose a state of emergency, as he could under his powers?
MR. GALLEGOS: I’m being very public about the statement that we believe that any actions in Pakistan be consistent with the rule of law and with their constitution.
QUESTION: Well, but I mean, under the rule – under the constitution, he is entitled to impose a state of emergency --
MR. GALLEGOS: Any action –

QUESTION: -- and dissolve the parliament.
MR. GALLEGOS: Any action should be according to the rule of law and consistent with their constitution. And this is a matter for the Pakistanis to decide.
QUESTION: But do you see imposing a state of emergency and dissolving parliament --
MR. GALLEGOS: I’ll refer you to my – I’ve made the comment that I’m going to make about the actions that are going on.
QUESTION: This is (inaudible), who I believe read the exact same thing.
MR. GALLEGOS: Well, as he will be working for me in Pakistan, that was probably a good thing for him to do.
QUESTION: And the Secretary has been informed of the current situation in Pakistan?
MR. GALLEGOS: My understanding is that she is aware of the situation.
QUESTION: But has the Secretary reached out to anyone in Pakistan, you know, Musharraf or anybody else, given him a quick phone call?
MR. GALLEGOS: Not that I have -- I don’t have any information --
QUESTION: Okay.
MR. GALLEGOS: -- that she had.
QUESTION: Would you take that question?
MR. GALLEGOS: Why would I take that? I don’t have any information. I do not have information that she has made a call.
QUESTION: But I mean, if she does today, could you tell us, please?
MR. GALLEGOS: I will discuss that with them and see if I can share that information with you.
Yes.
QUESTION: Mr. Gallegos, (inaudible) new assignment in Pakistan, I would like to thank you very much for your kindness and your efficiency --
MR. GALLEGOS: Thank you.
QUESTION: -- for the last two years.
MR. GALLEGOS: Thank you.
QUESTION: May I go to Albania? (Laughter.)
MR. GALLEGOS: One of these days. Yes.