Musharraf tells Rice: Normalization in SA Impossible sans Kashmir Solution  
By M D Malik - Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD: With no bounties in her bag, the US Secretary of State Ms Condoleezza Rice held talks with President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday.

Ms Rice while expressing her complete confidence in Pakistan’s current political dispensation lauded Pakistan’s efforts against terrorism but could not furnish any assurance over the delivery of much needed F-16s to Pakistan Air Force.

Talking to Condoleezza Rice, President General Pervez Musharraf urged the United States to lend its support to the efforts aimed at resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in keeping with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He underscored at a meeting with US Secretary of State that normalization in the region would not be possible without a settlement of the core dispute between Pakistan and India.

CBMs

The confidence building measures should be matched by tangible progress in the dialogue process, he said.

The US Secretary of State, who called on the President Wednesday evening, praised President Musharraf’s bold vision for South Asia and initiatives to promote peace and stability in the region.

Dr Rice briefed the President on her discussion in India relating to issues of common interest. She also expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Afghanistan’s efforts for stability and reconstruction in that country.

President Musharraf and Secretary Rice expressed satisfaction at the excellent cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in wide-ranging fields.

During their meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

Washington’s Commitment

Appreciating Pakistan’s critical role in promoting regional peace and stability, US Secretary of State reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to have a broad-based and sustainable partnership with Pakistan.

Dr Rice said the US was stepping up support to Pakistan’s plans for socio-economic development. She said the US would look into ways of expediting defence cooperation with Pakistan.

President Musharraf called upon the international community to address the underlying causes of tension like Palestine and Kashmir in order to bring the present turmoil to an end.

In this connection, he recalled his concept of enlightened moderation which envisages a partnership between the West and Islamic countries to address the root causes of extremism and also assist in poverty alleviation and economic development.

The President was assisted by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, while Secretary Rice was accompanied by Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker and senior US government officials.

Rice Meets PM Aziz

Earlier, the US Secretary of State called on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Talking to Prime Minister the US Secretary of State said Pakistan is a pivotal country in the region and described it as a model for the Islamic world. They discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is peace-loving country and is striving for peace in the region. He said to maintain peace, it is imperative to maintain minimum deterrence and wants US cooperation in this regard.

The 70-minute meeting covered a whole range of subjects including bilateral, regional and global matters.

The Prime Minister congratulated Dr Rice on her assumption of office and expressed the hope that she would play a leading role in enhancing Pak-US relations and peace in the world.

Shaukat Aziz especially mentioned the ongoing composite dialogue process with India and said the forthcoming introduction of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service would be an important humanitarian confidence building measure.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan believed that the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir needs to be settled in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and all stakeholders need to show flexibility, leadership, courage and magnanimity to resolve it.

Security Needs

Shaukat Aziz also highlighted Pakistan’s security needs and said Pakistan’s credible defence would be a guarantor of peace and stability in the region.

He also appreciated US economic and military assistance to Pakistan, which was initiated after President Musharraf’s meeting with President Bush at Camp David.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also said Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and all countries need to redouble their efforts to promote interfaith understanding and harmony in the world.

Condoleezza Rice especially appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in stabilizing the situation in Afghanistan. She said Pakistan is an important country in the region and appreciated the peace process in the region.

Dr Rice also acknowledged the economic progress made in Pakistan.

Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Khusro Bakhtiar, Foreign Secretary Riaz Mohammad Khan, senior officials from the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at the meeting.

The US delegation included among others the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Ryan C Crocker, Counsellor Philip Zeilkow, and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Ms Christina Rocca.●