M A I N   N E W S

USA ‘making efforts’ for Indo-Pak talks

Islamabad, February 16
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said today that the USA was making “behind the scenes” efforts to facilitate dialogue between India and Pakistan even though the Bush administration publicly advocates a bilateral approach to resolve the issue.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell is “very much involved” in the process as he is constantly in touch with Indian and Pakistani leaders over phone, President Musharraf told the Pakistan media in Washington yesterday before leaving for home.

Media reports here today quoted President Musharraf as saying that though it was bilateralism being advised to India and Pakistan, “behind the scenes” the USA was trying to facilitate a settlement.

Stating that he was “satisfied to a great extent” with his visit to the USA, President Musharraf said he had made out a strong case for the US administration to resume sale of weapons to match the modernisation programme of the Indian armed forces.

He said the sale of F-16 aircraft was a “contentious matter”, but at the same time Pakistan has told the USA that in the backdrop of India acquiring latest weapons systems like Jaguars, Su30s and Mirage-2000 warplanes, Pakistan’s security needs had to be redressed.

He said Pakistan had not asked for anything that had been refused. With the passage of time, he said, Pakistan would get what was required for its defence.

Pakistan and the USA now have a “relationship of depth” with “futuristic perceptions”, he said, adding that the establishment of the Defence Consultative Group was an important development. “We would keep asking for F-16s.”

President Musharraf said several gains had been made during his visit, including the proposed debt write-off of $ 1 billion.

“We set targets and when they are not met, we are disappointed. I am different. I go with an open mind but I believe in trying hard and have a positive and happy attitude, regardless of what you get.”

Asked about his plans to continue as President after the general elections in October, he said “You should understand one thing about me though you may not believe it. I am a man without ambition. You have to believe it. I can’t prove it unfortunately. I have no ambition. None at all. I am happy as I am. My ambition is this country of Pakistan. In all sincerity, I will do anything for this country”, he said. PTI