US legislation an irritant in bilateral ties: Musharraf
By Qudssia Akhlaque
ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the recently adopted US legislation making aid to Pakistan conditional, and told the visiting American Senator Richard J. Durbin that it constituted an irritant in the bilateral relations just as the statements from Washington advocating unilateral strike in the country’s tribal region were.
He also underscored that the bilateral relationship ought to be based on trust and confidence in moving forward on issues of common interest, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Office here.
Senator Durbin, a Democrat, called on the president in Karachi and he was accompanied by the US Ambassador Anne Patterson. During the meeting that focused on Pakistan-US relations, vital issues relating to counter-terrorism were discussed.
This was the president’s first interaction with an American congressman after the passage of the controversial US legislation.
Senator Durbin was elected in December 2006 as the Assistant Majority Leader, also known as Majority Whip, which is the Senate’s second highest ranking position.
“The president expressed disappointment at the passage by the US Congress of the recent legislation on ‘Implementation of 9/11 Commission Recommendations’, which introduces conditionalities on future assistance to Pakistan,” the Foreign Office statement said.
Senator Durbin in turn held out the assurance that the US Congress would continue to support Pakistan in counter-terrorism efforts and in meeting its national development goals.
