ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The US defence secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, on Saturday said in an interview with PTV that Pakistan-US defence cooperation should not become victim of ups and downs in the political relationship.

He said, military-to-military linkages should be maintained. He pointed out that military contacts and exchanges programmes have benefited both Pakistan and the United States.

To a question about West’s apprehensions about Pakistan’s nuclear assets, Mr Rumsfeld said that I fully respect the assertion of President Musharraf and his government’s nuclear programmes and assets were being managed safely and handled with responsibility.

He appreciated that President Musharraf recognized the responsibility that comes with the weapons of mass destruction and he is taking proper steps to ensure their safe management.

Asked what role the United States can play to help resolve the Kashmir dispute, Mr Rumsfeld said President Bush and secretary of state Colin Powell had repeatedly expressed American interest in the peaceful resolution of the disputes and differences including Kashmir.

To a question Mr Rumsfeld said that the United States had no intention to station troops in Afghanistan on long term basis. “Our only interest in Afghanistan is to deal with Al Qaeda and change the leadership to pave way for stable and broad-based government.”

Dr Condoleezza Rice, assistant to US President on national security affairs, also in a interview with Radio Pakistan and PTV at the White House, said that the United States was working on big plans to build a long-term relationship with Pakistan.

She said the United States believes that Pakistan is not just important to American security interests but important to peace and security in South Asia and the world.

She categorically stated that the United States will not turn away from Pakistan after the current crisis. Instead, she said, “Washington expects it to be a long-term relationship to build a prosperous Pakistan.” She hoped that President Musharraf’s commitment to hold elections in October next would bring more stability to Pakistan.—APP