Washington, February 9
Tension between India and Pakistan and the need to resume dialogue between the two neighbours are expected to top the agenda of talks President George W. Bush will be having here on February 13 with his Pakistani counterpart Pervez Musharraf, seen by Washington as a “fighter against terrorism and extremism.”
The USA continues to watch Indo-Pak situation closely and the prevailing tension between the two countries is likely to figure during the talks, the State Department said.
State Department’s deputy spokesman Phil Reeker told reporters that Bush is looking forward to the meeting with Musharraf, who flew from Karachi for Boston last night en route to Washington.
On Indo-Pak situation, Reeker said Washington wants to be optimistic because “it thinks there is a path forward through peaceful dialogue and it is going to reach out quite closely to re-engage leaders in both countries who remain committed to finding a peaceful and diplomatic solution.”
Reeker pointed out that the USA has spoken extensively about its zero tolerance for terrorism and the attack on the Indian Parliament illustrated exactly the damage terrorists could cause with their twisted political agendas.
“That is why President Musharraf’s statements and actions have been positive steps in that direction. We will continue to remain engaged with both countries,” he said.
A wide range of issues including continued US-Pakistani cooperation in the coalition against terrorism, Islamabad’s programmes for economic and educational reforms and restoration of democratic civilian rule in Pakistan would come up during the Bush-Musharraf talks.
“We will also be talking about support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan,” Reeker said.
Musharraf, he said, had spoken quite eloquently of the need to prevent the extremist minority in Pakistan from steering the country down the path of economic ruin and impose its views on the silent majority in Pakistan.
“The USA has seen strong support for Musharraf’s position from that majority”, he said.
Musharraf, accompanied by his wife Sahba, plans to spend three days in the American city of Boston with his son before going to Washington.
There is speculation that while in Boston, Musharraf might meet former Premier Benazir Bhutto to discuss her return to Pakistan from her self-exile as well as her Pakistan Peoples Party’s support for his presidency.
In Washington, Musharraf would stay in the White House as Bush’s guest. Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar and Finance Minister Shoukat Aziz and other Pakistani officials will join him there.
While the Pakistani officials are optimistic about the likely positive impact of the visit especially in the light of Musharaf’s January 12 speech banning terrorist organisations, the unresolved mystery of US journalist Daniel Pearl has come as a damper.
PTI
