Bush pledges long-term ties with Pakistan: US hopes to facilitate talks on Kashmir
By Tahir Mirza and Masood Haider
WASHINGTON, Feb 13: US President George W. Bush declared Washington’s commitment to remain engaged with Islamabad and work with it on a long-term basis after his talks with President Pervez Musharraf at the White House on Wednesday.
Mr Bush expressed the hope to facilitate a “meaningful dialogue” between India and Pakistan which was the “only way” the Kashmir issue could be resolved. The two countries should sit down and have a “serious, meaningful” dialogue, he said, adding the only thing the US could do was to be a facilitator.
The two leaders emerged to talk to reporters after their meeting in the Oval Office before continuing discussions over lunch. In view of the past history of the US-Pakistan bilateral relationship, said Mr Bush, it was understandable if people might say, “it’s a short-term dance. But when we say we’re committed, we’re committed as long as our goals remain the same.” The US would work in partnership with Pakistan, he said.
Amidst warm praise for Gen Musharraf, whom he described as a leader of “great courage and vision”, Mr Bush endorsed the Pakistan president’s vision of a progressive, moderate and democratic Pakistan.
President Musharraf, in his remarks, described his discussions with Mr Bush as fruitful and constructive, and said the multifaceted US-Pakistan relationship represented an element of stability.
President Musharraf referred to the massive deployment of Indian troops on Pakistan’s borders, and urged their immediate withdrawal to peace-time locations. He underlined the need for a dialogue with India, and praised Secretary of State Colin Powell’s role in defusing tensions in the region. Mr Powell was present during the Bush-Musharraf talks.
From comments they made to reporters, it was obvious that Gen Musharraf and Mr Bush had consolidated the rapport they struck during their meeting in New York in November on the sidelines of the UN session. Mr Bush described the general as a friend and Pakistan as a country whose support was critical in the coalition against terrorism. He said the Pakistani leader had made an even broader commitment by declaring that Pakistan would be an enemy of terrorism and extremism everywhere, including within his own country’s borders. Mr Bush also welcomed President Musharraf’s pledge to hold election in October, and pointed out that the Pakistani leader was the only one he had mentioned in his State of the Union speech to Congress.
The kidnapping of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl figured in the talks, and Gen Musharraf said he was reasonably sure that the journalist was alive and authorities were as close to getting him released as it was possible. Mr Bush thanked Gen Musharraf for Pakistan’s cooperation in the hunt for the reporter and said there was a mutual desire for his safe release.
Neither leader referred to any specific agreements, which might be worked out during talks at officials-level, with an announcement expected later.
Mr Bush pointed out that of the $600 million given to Pakistan during the current financial year, $100 million would be used for education and another $34 million would be given for the same sector. He said he and President Musharraf shared the same vision about education, and the Pakistan leader in turn reiterated his belief in a “greater Jihad” that was directed against illiteracy, poverty and hunger.
Gen Musharraf was accompanied in his talks with Mr Bush by the finance and commerce ministers, the foreign secretary, and the Pakistan ambassador. The US side included Mr Powell and Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill.
Agencies add: Mr Bush offered a glowing tribute to Gen Musharraf.
“It’s my honour to welcome President Musharraf to the White House. President Musharraf is a leader with great courage and vision, and his nation is a key partner in the global coalition against terror,” Bush told reporters.
“Pakistan’s continuing support of Operation Enduring Freedom has been critical to our success so far in toppling the Taliban and routing out the al Qaeda network.u
WASHINGTON, Feb 13: US President George W. Bush declared Washington’s commitment to remain engaged with Islamabad and work with it on a long-term basis after his talks with President Pervez Musharraf at the White House on Wednesday.
