Insisting that it is not going to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs, the Bush administration has said it is for that country to decide how to organise its government following the recent polls, develop its policies and manage the political process.

"First of all, the (February 18) elections (in Pakistan) were a victory for democracy and for all those who wanted to see democracy be able to expand and develop in Pakistan, and I think that's clear to everyone," State Department's Deputy spokesman Tom Casey told reporters.

The other questions, he said, "relate to how Pakistanis, how their democratically elected leaders, intend to organize heir government, develop their policies and manage their own internal political process. And that really is something that is theirs to decide".

"The United States did not, before the election or during the election process, nor are we now, going to try and take sides in that or interfere in those internal discussions," Casey said.

What is going on in Pakistan right now is very important, he said.

"This is a real development in Pakistan's return to what we hope ultimately will be full democracy there. And it's a very important moment for Pakistan's political leadership. And they've got to make these choices for themselves. And really only they are in a position to do so."

"I mean, that's not to say the United States doesn't have interests in Pakistan. We have a clear national interest in being able to work closely and effectively with the government of Pakistan on three fundamental things that are of concern to us," Casey said.

One (of the three fundamental things) is the one everybody always talks about, which is working tougher with the Pakistani government to confront extremism and confront  terrorism in the FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Area), in Pakistan itself, as well as cooperatively to fight extremism in Afghanistan, because you can't consider any of those in isolation," Casey said.

The second, he said, "though, is one that I don't think gets much attention and that really should. Which is the fact that since the beginning of Secretary (of State Condoleezza) Rice's tenure, she has worked and pushed the Pakistani government to do what it now has done -- to hold elections that really give the Pakistani people a chance to decide who
their leadership should be and a chance for democracy to be restored and to develop more fully in that country."

"I hope there will be a time in the not-too-distant future where extremism is not such a threat to all of us -- Pakistan is going to be important country in the world. It's going to be an important partner for the United States in all kinds of areas," Casey said.

"So, we have a long-term interest and a long-term investment in Pakistan. And we want to be able to work fully not only with yesterday's government and today's government, but with future governments. Because our interests in Pakistan are long term and we believe that we share a lot of common needs, common desires and common values with the Pakistanis," the senior official maintained.

Casey refused to answer a query if Washington was ready or even prepared for the "departure" of President Pervez Musharraf [Images], whose allies have suffered a crushing defeat in  Parliamentary polls at the hands of the opposition parties.