Not much U.S. can do about Pakistan now

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Though U.S. President Bush is urging his Pakistani counterpart to lift emergency rule, there's not much else that can be done, the White House admitted Monday.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush received a briefing Monday morning from Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, who met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharaff on Saturday.

"Remember, in diplomacy, when you have this type of outreach, you can't expect instant results," Perino told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Richmond, Va. "Deputy Secretary Negroponte said that he delivered a very clear message, and we'll have to continue to monitor the situation as it evolves to see what happens next."

Perino said the administration was encouraged by Musharraf's pledge to have elections as scheduled in January.

Asked whether Bush has a time frame in mind for when emergency rule, which was imposed Nov. 3, must be lifted, she responded, "Pakistan is a sovereign country. The president can urge President Musharraf to take a different course. … We do not believe that elections can be free and fair if you're under a situation where the media is not allowed to report on the issues of the day and people aren't allowed to campaign."