Islamabad: In a rebuff to Pakistan's assertion that polls in Jammu and Kashmir was a "futile" exercise, the US has said the free and fair elections would be seen as an "expression of the will" of the Kashmiris.

"The US feels that free and fair election in the Valley would be an expression of the will of people and may help a movement forward. It has to be seen whether it gets broader participation," US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage told a delegation of visiting Pakistani Editors and journalists in Washington on September 4.

Also contrary to Pakistan's perception of the election, Armitage said major concern for the Washington was whether the polls in Jammu and Kashmir would be held free of violence.

"Our concern is (that) the election are free of violence," he said, making the stand of Bush Administration on Kashmir polls categorically clear.

Armitage comments appeared to be an indication to Pakistan to "keep off" from the polls so that the "process" could be moved forward in Kashmir, 'The News' daily said.

Significantly, Armitage also left little scope for speculation when he said President Pervez Musharraf himself believed that elections everywhere should be violence free. Armitage said he was very pleased when Musharraf told him in Islamabad last month that as a "general proposition" any election should be free of violence.

He also echoed the sentiments expressed by the US Secretary of State Collin Powell to the region recently that Kashmir issue figured on international agenda like never before.

Armitage said there is a lot of concern in the world community to resolve the Kashmir issue.

The world "heavy weights" like Russia, Great Britain, Sweden, China and Germany have joined hands with the US to create "congenial atmosphere" for the resolution of the Kashmir problem, which should be finally sorted out by India and Pakistan themselves, he said.

"We still believe that the solution has to be reached between the two parties together," he said.

Asked about India's "refusal" to allow international observers to monitor the J and K polls, Armitage said the Indian officials told him that New Delhi would welcome foreign diplomats based in the capital to travel and observe the valley election.

"Expecting positive results", he said the United States would like to see the polls, to he held in four phases, "go about and move forward".

When asked what would happen if India refused to permit foreign diplomats, he said if it happened, there would be "questions" asked about the process.

However, he said, "My understanding is that observers from the diplomatic community would be allowed and they would be able to make a judgment."

About the possibility of a poor turnout like in the past, he said that the US would not try to "pre-judge" results before it happened.

"Interpreting" the prevalent mood among the Indian leadership, Armitage said, "What New Delhi probably wanted to convey was that if the elections were held free of violence, it would be ready to resume the dialogue."

PTI