Visit improves ties with US: President

Published February 17, 2002

ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that his visit to Washington has helped achieve “deeper and broader” understanding between Pakistan and United States.

“On diplomatic level, a great understanding has been achieved (between the two countries) - it has its own depth and its own breadth, we have a deeper and broader understanding (now),” President Musharraf told PTV on his return from a three-day official visit to the United States.

President Musharraf said he won understanding for Pakistan’s positions during the trip to the United States, including “unanimity” among members of Congress.

Musharraf said: “There is a total unanimity of our understanding at the Capitol Hill.”

Pakistan expected progress mainly on three areas including economic revival, defence cooperation and diplomatic standing, he said.

“There has been success in all three areas,” he said.

On the economic revival, the President said, Pakistan would get a debt write-off of one billion dollars. The write-off needs to be approved by Congress.

In addition, Pakistan would also get fiscal support of a “reasonable amount” which would be announced shortly.

“This is a good beginning and good achievement.”

About Pakistan-US defence cooperation, he said, a defence consultative group had been set up.

“This will ensure all the projects in pipeline to get through,” Musharraf said.—Agencies

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