ISLAMABAD, March 30: US President George W. Bush will soon notify the Congress about his decision to grant Pakistan a 'major non-Nato ally (MNNA)' status, US embassy spokesman told Dawn here on Tuesday.

"Congress is to be informed shortly," the spokesman said in reply to a question as to when the relevant presidential notification would be sent to the Congress. To a related query, he said under the US law the MNNA status becomes effective 30 days after the Congress is informed.

US Secretary of State Colin Powell had made the announcement about the Bush administration's decision to confer the MNNA status on Pakistan during his visit here on March 18.

The MNNA status increases military-to-military cooperation and eases access to armaments and defence articles. Major non-Nato allies are eligible for: priority delivery of excess defence articles, stockpiling of US defence articles, purchase of depleted uranium anti-tank rounds, participation in cooperative research and development programmes, and participation in the defence export loan guarantee programme which backs up private loans for commercial defence exports.

Referring to Pakistan's efforts as an ally in the global war on terror, the spokesman said President Bush had pledged to address Islamabad's 'legitimate defence needs'.

He made it clear that 'there has been no decision at any level of the US government to provide F-16s' to Pakistan. The spokesman did not completely rule out the possibility either.

Acknowledging Pakistan as a full partner in the war on terror, he said: "President Musharraf and his government work actively to stop terrorist funding, shut down terrorist groups, and conduct military, police and intelligence operations to fight terrorist groups on Pakistani soil and bring terrorists to justice".

The spokesman underlined the US commitment 'to a positive, long-term relationship' with Pakistan. He recounted the US president's promise to work with the Congress on a $3 billion multi-year assistance package designed to improve Pakistan's economic prosperity, help address health and education needs and to enhance border security.

On last week's announcement about the waiver of coup-related sanctions on Pakistan, he said the US president had waived the sanctions for one year under the authority given to him by the Congress.

"A waiver is important to the US efforts to respond to, deter, or prevent acts of international terrorism, and will facilitate transition to the democratic rule in Pakistan," he asserted.

"The FY 2004 bilateral democracy assistance will allow us to continue to help Pakistan reform and strengthen its democratic institutions at all levels, including the legislature, political parties, advocacy groups, and the independent media," explained the US embassy spokesman.