US backs political dialogue

WASHINGTON—The United States on Thursday welcomed discussions among Pakistan’s political leaders and encouraged them to build a stable democracy that can help battle extremists.
The White House Spokeswoman Dana Perino did not directly react to former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s return home after an eight-year self-imposed exile, citing “internal politics that they will have to sort out.”
“I think that if they’re talking to one another, increased discussions and negotiations amongst people is not a bad thing,” she told reporters. “Pakistan has shown a willingness to work towards making sure that they can have a stable democracy and we encourage them in that,” she added. The United States hopes to see “a peaceful, democratic Pakistan, an Islamic state that is a moderate force in the region and one that can be an ally to help us fight extremism in the region,” she stated. Spokeswoman Dana Perino did not directly react to former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s return home after an eight-year self-imposed exile, citing “internal politics that they (the Pakistanis) will have to sort out.”—Agencies