December 17, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 12, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 16: US Assistant Secretary of State, Christina Rocca on Monday categorically denied reports of having plans to meet leaders of the six-party religio-political alliance, MMA.

“There is no such plan, I just don’t have the time,” Rocca told newsmen at a reception hosted by the US ambassador Nancy Powell at her residence on Monday evening.

Rocca also dismissed reports that a visit to Peshawar to meet the new NWFP chief minister was on her agenda.

When it was pointed out that the reports had emanated from Washington, she said: “Washington does not know about it,” her reference being to the State Department.

Prior to Rocca’s arrival at the reception, the US embassy press section officials went around telling journalists that the reports were incorrect, making veiled suggestions that the reports had been wrongly fed by the Pakistan embassy in Washington.

Rocca refused to take any other questions from the newsmen, saying that she was there just to celebrate the human rights day.