Jan 03: The White House on Wednesday rejected the need of United Nations in the probe of former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination, but simultaneously welcomed Pakistan 's decision to involve UK 's Scotland Yard into the investigation matter.
Earlier Wednesday, the White House had offered help into Benazir Bhutto's murder investigation to Pakistan , but soon change its stand when President Musharraf sought to help of Scotland Yard police to assist into former premier's death probe.
Benazir Bhutto's husband Asif Ali Zardari had demanded UN probe on Sunday for her wife's assassination as felt he would not meet justice after contradictory statement aired by President Pervez Musharraf.
"Scotland Yard leading the probe is appropriate and necessary, and we don't see any need for an investigation beyond that at this time. The Pakistanis have just made a decision to ask Scotland Yard to get involved. We welcome that," White House spokesperson Dana Perino said.
She further said Pakistan have taken quick and positive and comprehensive step by involving Scotland Yard into the investigation, and we are ready to help Pakistan too if we are requested in such direction. But, she took a retreat approach on commenting of Islamabad's decision to postpone the national election from Jan 8 to Feb 18, saying, “it's decision that Pakistan had to make by them. The Americans can't make every decision for them.�
The White House officials though refused to comment on Pakistan government's statement on Benazir's assassination; said: it would not draw any conclusion this time. Let the investigation go on and after its completion every thing would be clear.
"I'm not going to comment on any particular claims that the Pakistani government has made or the evidence that they have offered up. I certainly have no reason to contradict the claims, but I certainly would not draw any conclusions at this point. Let's wait for that to take place and see what the results are," State departments spokesman Sean McCormack said.
It is to be noted here that initially soon after the Benazir's assassination, Pakistan government had claimed that she was not injured by the bullet or blast shrapnel but was killed when she hit her head against a lever on the sun-roof of her bullet-proof car, while she was waving to her supporters. But, on Wednesday, President Musharraf said, she was killed by terrorist attack, in his address to the Nation broadcast on state television.
The White House spokesperson said she was not willing to disclose the details of the discussions Islamabad has had with Washington, when asked about why Pakistan did not ask the United States for help, at the time when Washington had already offered to help in the probe.
“What I can say is that we certainly support the Scotland Yard being involved and we think that they'll do an excellent job, and we hope that they will be able to move quickly and provide for a very transparent report so that the Pakistanis can feel comfortable that they have the answers that they've been asking for.�
The White House spokesperson, Perino further said we urge political parties in Pakistan to ask their followers to refrain from violence, now when President has taken concrete decision by seeking Scotland Yard police to assist in the investigation of former premier's assassination.
Bhutto was assassinated in a suicide attack shortly after her addressed in an election meeting in Rawalpindi on December 27. Her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has rejected the government's contention that she died of a skull fracture sustained in the suicide attack as "lies.�
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