RAWALPINDI, June 15: President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday said he would be going to Washington later this month to tell the United States government it should do more to reward Pakistan for its cooperation in the war on terror.
Musharraf told Reuters in an interview that many Pakistanis feel short-changed by Washington.
Musharraf faces a vocal opposition at home which has often criticized him for his pro-US stance.
“I don’t think the issue is that alarming that I have to achieve something before I come back otherwise the government has had it,” he said.
“(But) the US should also realise that Pakistan, as a member of the coalition ... which has done so much on the anti-terrorism front that has been recognised, needs to be given assistance which is more visible.”
Musharraf said he would be asking Washington for more market access for Pakistani goods, further debt relief, an end to military sanctions and the chance to buy military hardware.
Pakistan hopes Washington will waive the remaining $1.8 billion in bilateral debt.
Musharraf said many Pakistanis had still not forgiven Washington for refusing to deliver 28 F-16 fighters in the 1990s because of concerns over the country’s nuclear programme.
“The F-16 factor is known by any man walking in the street, that we were supposed to get them, and we have still not got them,” he said.
“Other than that, on the economic assistance package there is a general feeling we need to get more, but we are dealing with that.” Gen Musharraf said he enjoyed an excellent understanding with President George W. Bush and other members of the U.S. administration.
“They have total understanding of the reality of all the issues — you’ve named North Korea, you’ve named cross border terrorism,” he said.
“Whatever we are doing, they know what we are doing, they believe what we are doing. Credibility and mutual understanding is total, completely irrespective of what is being said in the media.”—Reuters
