November 20, 2002	Wednesday	Ramazan 14, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 19: The visiting US Secretary of Treasury Paul O’Neill said here on Tuesday that his government would continue offering financial support as long as Pakistan was playing an active role in the war against terrorism.

“As long as Pakistan is being asked to do things outside its normal responsibilities, the United States will share the burden and extend all possible financial assistance”, he stated.

Speaking to newsmen at the residence of the US ambassador, Mr O’Neill said Washington had a comprehensive cooperation plan to share extra burden for a work being done by Islamabad.

Pakistan had received $900 million, including $600 million cash, as part of the budgetary support in 2001 by the Bush administration. In addition, Pakistan was also being paid handsome money for allowing the US military to use its airports.

In reply to a question, Mr O’Neill said that he had a detailed meeting with President Musharraf during which he had discussed with him broad political and economic issues.

He said the president briefed him on the outcome of the election and the formation of the new elected government in Pakistan.

He told a newsmen that the emergence of religious parties in the recent elections was not a threat to the US interests. “I have been told by President Musharraf that religious parties could secure only 11 per cent of votes in the election, which is not much”, he added.

The US official also did not believe that Madaris (religious schools) in Pakistan could pose a potential threat to the US interests.

He expressed happiness over the performance of local governments of Pakistan. “The president and his team is doing a good job to remove poverty and provide education and potable water to their people”. There was a huge human potential in Pakistan, he added.

In reply to a question, he said ties between Pakistan and the US would further grow in future. “I am told by Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz that two-third foreign investment is coming from the United States”, he said and expressed the hope that more US private investment would come to Pakistan.

Answering a question, he said he did not raise the issue of corruption in Pakistan and added: “I believe that the Pakistani leadership is doing a lot to eliminate corruption from the society”.

He said Pakistan was pursuing right economic policies, which needed to be appreciated. “I know for a fact that Shaukat Aziz is one of the highly respected and talented men not only in Pakistan, but in the whole international financial community, and he is trying very hard to assist Musharraf”, he said.

The secretary of treasury said the US government had recommended the cancellation of $1 billion Pakistani debt, and that the issue was currently being processed by the Congress.

He said Pakistan’s economic situation had stabilised and enjoyed global credibility. The United States, he said, considered Pakistan a long-term development partner.

Mr O’Neill said his meetings with the president, finance minister and the State Bank governor were very constructive and fruitful to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries.