ISLAMABAD, Feb 27: The Foreign Office on Monday declared that US President George W. Bush’s visit to Pakistan later this week would focus on broadening and deepening the cooperation between the two countries.
Addressing the weekly news briefing, FO spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said: “The visit underscores the strong relationship between Pakistan and United States. It will focus on broadening and deepening the present bilateral cooperation in diverse fields.”
She said during his two-day visit President Bush would hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf and the two leaders would discuss bilateral, regional and international issues.
She said negotiations were under way on a bilateral investment treaty and several proposals.
Giving outline of President Bush’s programme here, she said it included an earthquake-related event, a joint press stakeout by the two presidents and a banquet by President Musharraf. Mr Bush will also meet representatives of Pakistan’s public and private sectors at an event to be organised by the US embassy.
Ms Aslam told a questioner that due to security reasons she could not give the exact timing of President Bush’s arrival and departure.
Answering a question about the US president facilitating a solution of the Kashmir issue, she said: “We do encourage and appreciate the international community’s engagement with Pakistan, India and Kashmiris. The US has been in a way engaged in this process and President Bush’s speech at the Asia Society clearly spells out the US policy direction.”
When her attention was drawn to Mr Bush’s reported statement that during his visit he would push Pakistan to dismantle terrorist training camps, the spokesperson said she had seen the transcript of the interview and added that it had been distorted. “In the transcript of President Bush’s interview there was no reference to training camps, but certainly terrorism is an issue that affects everyone and it will be on the agenda when the leaders of the two countries meet.”
Ms Aslam’s response to a question regarding President Bush’s advice to Pakistan to show patience on the question of civilian nuclear technology was: “It will be on the agenda, the two sides will discuss it and we will take it from there.”
Answering a question, she said the US president would be briefed about the status of discussion between Pakistan and India on the Kashmir issue.
