WASHINGTON - The White House said Wednesday it saw no need for a United Nations investigation into Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto's slaying because Britain's Scotland Yard will lead the current probe.
"Scotland Yard being in the lead of this investigation is appropriate and necessary and we don't see a need for an investigation beyond that at this time," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.
Perino had been asked why Washington pushed hard for a UN special investigation into the February 2005 killing of Lebanese former premier Rafiq Hariri but was not doing so in the case of Bhutto's assassination last week.
She also sidestepped a question regarding the White House's refusal to express confidence in an investigation run by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's government.
"It was the Pakistani government that decided to ask Scotland Yard for its help, and we think that was appropriate, and we welcome that decision," said Perino. "We think they'll do an excellent job."
"What's most important is that they proceed quickly and in a transparent and comprehensive way, so that the people of Pakistan can get the answers they deserve," said Perino.
"We urge the political parties that are there to ask their followers to refrain from violence, to look to the investigation that Scotland Yard will produce that will be transparent and fair and hopefully move ahead as quickly as possible," she said.
Amid charges from Bhutto allies that Musharraf's government had mishandled the probe thus far, Perino said "maybe what happened after the assassination will be a part of the investigation."
Her comments poured cold water on the demand Sunday from Benazir Bhutto's husband, Asif Ali Zardari, for a UN probe into her assassination along the lines of the Hariri investigation.
"We demand a Hariri commission-style investigation," he said at a news conference. "We are writing to the United Nations for an international probe into her martyrdom."
US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Washington could also help out with the probe.
"We stand ready to assist, if we are requested to do so. If we can provide technical assistance and that is wanted, of course we are going to do so," McCormack told reporters.
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01/02/2008 21:51 GMT