05 December 2004	Sunday	22 Shawwal 1425

WASHINGTON, Dec 4: US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Saturday the United States was 'very pleased' with the strength of its relationship with Pakistan.

After a meeting with President Pervez Musharraf at Washington's Mayflower Hotel, Mr Powell said the United States and Pakistan were cooperating in many fields including the global war on terror.

He said he had particularly good conversation with Gen Musharraf about recent Afghan elections and how Pakistan played such a role in helping to secure the countryside so that the Afghan people could vote.

"And we had a good discussion of our bilateral issues, issues relating to commerce and trade," he added.

Asked if the United States was willing to sell F-16 aircraft to Pakistan, Mr Powell said: "You know there's always the issue about F16s, but no decisions were made at the meetings today."

Mr Powell said that earlier on Saturday morning, President Bush and President Musharraf also discussed recent developments in Kashmir. He said both India and Pakistan had 'strongly-held views' on Kashmir and Indian and Pakistani leaders had 'a good conversation' on the Kashmir issue when they met in New York in September.