ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, November 17, SPA -- U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte met here today with Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf. This meeting came after Negroponte spoke on phone overnight with Benazir Bhutto, according to foreign news agencies reports. Joining Musharraf and Negroponte in the meeting, whichwent on for more than two hours, was Pakistan's deputy armycommander, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, said an official in thepresident's office, who spoke on the condition of anonymitybecause he was not authorized to talk with the media. The official said Musharraf told Negroponte that theemergency was needed to hold peaceful elections. Negroponte phoned opposition leader Benazir Bhuttoovernight, the U.S. State Department said, in thehighest-level U.S. contact with the Pakistani oppositionleader since the emergency began. Negroponte «wanted to hear from her how she viewed thepolitical situation in Pakistan,» U.S. State Departmentspokesman Sean McCormack said of the call to Bhutto. After meeting with Musharraf, Negroponte was scheduled tohold talks with top officials from Pakistan's foreignministry. He was also expected to meet with several otherpolitical and military leaders here, underscoringWashington's desire to reach out to a wide array ofPakistani decision-makers.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/500514