Request for troops tops agenda: Rocca meets Musharraf, Jamali

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ISLAMABAD, May 12: US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Christina Rocca met the country's top policy-makers on Wednesday and discussed with them Washington's 'wish-list' , including contribution of Pakistani troops to the international coalition force for Iraq.

She separately called on President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and discussed bilateral and regional issues with them.

Sources said she sought Pakistan's support for a UN Security Council resolution on Iraq, to be moved by the US soon; commitment to contribute Pakistani troops for an international coalition force in Iraq; and use of Islamabad's 'good offices' to convince other Muslim countries to contribute to it.

Pakistan is the current president of the Security Council. Ms Rocca briefed Pakistani policy-makers about the American plans of submitting a resolution to the UNSC, a foreign ministry statement said.

Issues relating to security along the Pakistan-Afghan border came under discussion during her meetings. The assistant secretary of state was diplomatic in not only appreciating Pakistan's efforts but also suggesting a viable strategy to tackle the problem of foreign fighters.

President Musharraf, in his meeting with Ms Rocca, reiterated his government's policy of stamping out terrorism. Progress on the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India to address all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, also figured in the talks.

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