Musharraf greets Bush: US Urged to Resolve Global Disputes
By Shama Faisal - Pakistan Times Staff Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday telephoned President George Bush and extended him warm felicitations on his re-election as President of the United States of America.

During the 20-minute telephonic conversation, the two leaders reaffirmed the common desire to further strengthen the bilateral relations to the mutual benefit of both countries.

Congratulating the American leader, President Musharraf stated that destiny has placed upon President Bush an onerous responsibility to play a pivotal role in resolving the long-standing political disputes around the world.

Causes of Strife and Terror

To this effect, he referred to Palestine and other disputes, saying that success in the settlement of these disputes would address the root causes of strife and terror, which make the world today an unsafe and dangerous place to live in.

He observed that the resolution of these disputes in a meaningful, just and equitable manner will usher in an era of peace and harmony in the world and by achieving this “you will, no doubt, be earning a unique place in the annals of history.”

Pak-US Ties

President Bush said the people of United States greatly value their country’s relationship with Pakistan.

The Pakistani and US leaders affirmed that the ties between the two countries have acquired a new dynamism and matured into a broad-based relationship.

They reiterated to continue cooperation in achieving the shared objectives of peace and prosperity for the peoples of two countries.

PM's Message

Meanwhile, in a message sent to President Bush, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has also congratulated US President George W. Bush on his re-election and expressed the hope that his new term in office would provide further impetus to Pakistan-United States’ broad-based relationship.

The Prime Minister extended his felicitations and that of the government and the people of Pakistan, a foreign office spokesman said on Friday.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz described the re-election of President Bush as “an endorsement by the American people of his leadership”.

Durable Partnership

He stated that Pakistan-United States relationship had been recast into a mutually beneficial and durable partnership. He expressed the hope that the next four years would provide new impetus to this broad-based relationship by further strengthening and expanding bilateral cooperation.

“We look forward to fostering this growing partnership for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and the United States,” the Prime Minister added.●