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State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller made an odd slip of the tongue when questioned about Pakistanis’ freedom to select their own government.
During a press briefing, reporter Ryan Grim questioned Miller about the possibility of penalties against Pakistan for election rigging. Miller responded that the US will keep supporting democratic “suppression” in Pakistan.
“And we will continue to support democratic supression and a vibrant democracy in Pakistan, but I don’t have anything to preview from here,” Miller can be heard saying in a video of the exchange.
However, when the journalist tried to ask a follow up question, Miller quickly corrected himself and said, “I said expression.”
“Statement. Communication. I will not allow you to deceive me into making unnecessary corrections to myself. Expression, remarked Miller.
The official transcript that was posted on the State Department’s website also included an alteration to the original exchange that said “expression.”
Earlier in the press briefing, Miller said it was upto the Pakistani people to decide who they wanted to elect to office.
“We want to see free and fair elections which are conducted in accordance with Pakistan’s laws, and we don’t support one candidate or party over another in Pakistan or anywhere else in the world,” he said.
When asked about the arrests of candidates and approvers, Miller replied that elections in Pakistan have to be conducted as per Pakistan’s laws. “It’s not for the United States to dictate to Pakistan how it conducts – the exact specifics of how it conducts its election,” he added.
