ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: President Gen Pervez Musharraf is likely to make a 'technical stopover' in Washington for refuelling of his aircraft during his planned trip to three Latin American countries later this month, Dawn learnt on Wednesday.

Sources told Dawn that it is not yet confirmed whether the stopover will be made in Washington or New York, but indicated that details were currently being worked out. A stopover in Washington could provide an opportunity for a meeting with US President George W. Bush who last week referred to President Musharraf as his 'good friend'.

It is not clear if President Musharraf s refuelling stopover in the US could turn into a bilateral visit with a meeting with US President George W. Bush. None is planned at the moment, was the response Dawn got from senior officials who were asked about the possibility of a bilateral meeting.

A US embassy official in Islamabad, when asked about it on Wednesday, told this reporter that he had no clue about it. "We have not heard anything about it yet," the official said without dismissing the possibility.

Security analysts say given the special relationship Mr Bush and Gen Musharraf enjoy in the post-9/11 phase, a meeting between the two in Washington cannot be ruled out. President Musharraf s expected stopover in Washington or New York next week will come on the heels of President Bush s re-election to his office for a second term.

Outgoing US deputy secretary of State Richard Armitage during his visit here on Nov 9, after the election victory of President Bush, assured Pakistan's top leadership that Pakistan-US relations would remain a high priority in the new Bush administration.

He also pledged further consolidation and expansion of bilateral ties in all areas. Pakistan enjoys bipartisan and firm support in the US as reflected in the 9/11 Commission report that underlined the need for a long-term commitment and strategic relations with Pakistan.

Gen Musharraf's last visit to the US was in September this year when he had gone there to attend the UN General Assembly session. On the sidelines of the UN session in New York, he also met President Bush.

President Musharraf will embark on a five-nation tour either on Nov 25 or 26, officials said. The countries he is scheduled to visit are Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, France and Britain.