The United States said it was studying the UN report into 2007 assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, but observed generally that the Pakistani leader clearly did not have the protection she deserved and needed.
"We have the report, we are reviewing it. The United States cooperated fully not just in this UN investigation, but obviously the independent Scotland Yard investigation that preceded it," P J Crowley, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs said at the daily briefing.
"I don't want to get in particulars of the report. The United States was, we encouraged the return, we encouraged Pakistan's return to a civilian government, civilian rule."
"Clearly, tragically, there were failures at a number of levels where she did not have the protection that she deserved and obviously needed. But I am not going to comment on a particular report. The report speaks for itself," the spokesman added, when questioned if Benazir Bhutto was advised in advance on the threats she would face on her return.
Crowley paid tributes to the popular Pakistani leader for her abiding commitment to the cause of democracy and pledged that the United States would help Pakistan develop its democratic institutions.
"The assassination was a tragedy for people of Pakistan and Benazir Bhutto gave her life in defense of the development of Pakistan's democratic institutions."
Washington, he said, "would continue to work with Pakistan to make sure that we build the institutions" and help democracy move forward.
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