US closely monitoring contempt case against PM

The United States administration is keeping a close eye on the contempt of court proceedings against the Pakistani Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani, in which he faces the threat of conviction on the next hearing before the Supreme Court on February 13.
The US State Department s deputy spokesperson, Mark Toner Friday said "although this is clearly Pakistan s internal political matter, but we are following as the situation unfolds." He, however, did not answer whether the US was concerned at the internal situation of Pakistan.
"This case (NRO case) in the Supreme Court is not new and we expect the situation in Pakistan to be resolved as per the Pakistani law and constitution, in a democratic manner."
He did not reply to another question whether the US government agreed with the assessment that the existing Pakistani government was on its way out in this case.
When asked to comment if the current impasse in Pakistan was limiting the ability of US administration to engage with the Pakistani leadership at a crucial juncture, he disagreed and said "we are in constant touch with Pakistan and Ambassador Munter in Islamabad is engaged with Pakistani leadership regularly on a variety of levels."
"On a broader bilateral relationship level, we understand that Pakistan is still working on a parliamentary review," Toner said while assuring of the US administration s intent "to sit down and talk to Pakistan about all the issues as and when they are ready."
"We have said many times after the tragic attacks of November 26 that we are ready to discuss all issues," he stressed. A NATO airstrike on Salala check-post in Pakistani tribal area of Mohmand had killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on November 26, sparking an escalation of bilateral tension.
When the spokesman s attention was drawn to President Obama s first on-the-record admission of drone strikes in Pakistan and foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar s statement during Afghan visit about trying to bring Haqqani network to peace, he said "both countries are trying to bring greater focus on threats that we both face.""Terrorists operating in those areas are an existential threat for Pakistan, Afghanistan and the whole region", he warned and stated that cooperation in terrorism-related issues was in national security interest of both Pakistan and the United States.
"As long as we can come together to discuss these issues, that s a good thing." he pointed out while expressing the hope that discussion on parliamentary review recommendations will provide a way forward for both countries, who have been more like estranged allies of late.