WASHINGTON: President Ayub Khan told the US Congress yesterday that in the event of real trouble the only people in Asia “who will stand by you are the people of Pakistan, provided you are also prepared to stand by them”. Addressing a joint session of Congress, the President made an eloquent plea for American aid to his country, saying “by giving us strength you will yourselves get strength”.

Outlining the constitutional system evolved since the revolution, President Ayub expressed the opinion that the “system of Basic Democracy might well serve as a model to all emergent countries”.

He stated bluntly that “if there is any trouble in Asia, the only country that you can even put your foot in, the only country that will stand by you, is Pakistan”. He warned the US that “whatever might be your worldwide commitments, do not take such steps that would aggravate our problems and jeopardise our security”. He added: “As long as you will remember that, I have no doubt that our friendship will grow.”

The President received an enthusiastic welcome as he entered the chamber of the House of Representatives to address the joint session. He came straight from a White House meeting with President Kennedy during which they discussed reclamation of saline land in Pakistan.

President Ayub at the very outset of his speech was greeted with applause when he said: “I come from Pakistan which is allied to the United States and is a friend of your country.”

Speaking quite informally, he told Congress that it had been necessary for him to head the revolution which put him in power to avoid further disintegration of Pakistan’s political and social life.

President Ayub, who was the army chief prior to becoming president, said he at first refused to head the revolution because of his obligation to build an army capable of defending his country’s territorial integrity.

But, he said, Pakistan had had a succession of bad leadership when powerful leadership was needed. For this reason, he said, he agreed to assume the office to reinvigorate the political, social and economic development of the country. — Agencies