Islamabad, Pakistan: Unprecedented security turned Islamabad into a ghost town for the first visit to Pakistan by US president Bush. He visited Pakistan on the final leg of a South Asian tour that has also taken in India and Afghanistan. Islamist groups vowed more protests to follow the nationwide strike and rallies. On Thurs day a day before Bush Reached Pakistan a suicide bomber killed a US diplomat in the southern city of Karachi.

US President George W Bush held talks with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday, at which he was to push his key ally for more progress on the "war on terror" and on democracy. The Pakistani foreign office said Musharraf and Bush had begun a one-on-one meeting at the imposing presidential compound in Islamabad.

US President George W Bush bluntly rejected Pakistan’s demand for a civilian nuclear deal on the lines he clinched with India and said the two countries had different needs and different histories. The US President's reference to "different histories" was an obvious reference to the track record of India and Pakistan in the nuclear field. Washington has maintained that India is a responsible nuclear power in contrast to Pakistan's clandestine help in this sphere to some countries highlighted by the actions of its top scientist AQ Khan, now under house arrest.

On Musharraf seeking US involvement in facilitating the resolution of Kashmir and other issues, Bush refused to be drawn into it saying the "best way" for doing so was for leaders of the two countries to "step up and lead”.” The best way for Kashmir to be resolved is for the leaders of both countries to step up and lead, and that's exactly what President Musharraf has done and that's what Prime Minister Singh has assured me he wants to do," he said. He made it clear that the role of the US was to continue to encourage the parties concerned to come together to resolve the contentious issue.” The atmosphere is changing," he said noting that the confidence-building measures taken by the two countries have begun to bear fruit. He also referred to India's prompt help to earthquake victims in Pakistan.

"I believe a prosperous democratic Pakistan would be a steadfast partner for America and a peaceful neighbour for India and a force for freedom and moderation in the Arab world," he added. Bush's maiden trip to Pakistan despite the security risks is being seen as a show of solidarity for Musharraf, whose alliance with Washington since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States has angered Islamists at home. Pakistan has around 70 000 troops along the border with Afghanistan where al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden and other militants are thought to be hiding.

Release Source: www.c2b2bnews.com

Top