19 November 2004	Friday	06 Shawwal 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 18: Pakistan has expressed confidence in further expansion and consolidation in its relations with the United States based on the hard work that the two sides had made in laying a firm foundation during the past four years.

Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan dismissed speculations that replacement of outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell by Dr Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser, in the Bush administration would hurt relations between Washington and Islamabad in the coming times.

Responding to questions at his press briefing here on Thursday, he said he was confident that the future relationship between Pakistan and the US would succeed in consolidating and expanding bilateral relations to a higher plane.

The special focus, he said, would be on economic and commercial relations and cooperation in the areas of defence in addition to political and strategic understanding between the two countries.

Mr Khan further said that the embassy in Washington and the Pakistani leadership had from time to time also worked closely with Dr Rice and 'we have full confidence' in her ability to deal with South Asia and ensure continuity in the US policy towards the region.

He described Mr Powell's association with South Asia as a productive experience for both Pakistan and the United States. Mr Powell was a good friend of Pakistan and had paid special attention to South Asia, to Afghanistan and to war against terrorism and Pakistan worked closely with the US Secretary of State.

Responding to a question about the expected supply of American defence equipment to Pakistan, the spokesman said while he would not go into specifics he would think that Pakistan's request for defence equipment was under consideration of the US government and was on the track.

He disclosed that the US-Pakistan Consultative Group concerning defence relations would meet in Islamabad early next month to take forward their discussion at the next meeting. Pakistan team at the UPCG talks would be headed by its defence secretary.