Archives

ISLAMABAD,Thursday (AFP) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf heads to the United States Saturday, where he is expected to receive a cordial welcome for his staunch support of the US-led global war on terrorism.

But analysts here are concerned that eventual US disengagement from Afghanistan could see the region sink back into instability and war.

Islamabad-Washington ties are at their strongest for nearly a decade: Sanctions imposed since 1990 over Pakistan's nuclear weapons program have been lifted and the country has received more than one billion dollars in US aid since November.

Washington has rescheduled three billion dollars worth of Pakistani debt, and President George W. Bush told Musharraf in February that he would persuade Congress to cancel another one billion dollars in debt.

"We'll stay in touch with President Musharraf in more ways than one," Bush told reporters in late August, days before his deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage visited Islamabad and conveyed US concerns over constitutional changes by Musharraf which consolidated his power.

"(But) he's still tight with us on the war against terror, and that's what I appreciate," Bush said.

Musharraf has a tight schedule during his seven day visit, attending a memorial ceremony for the September 11 attacks in New York, addressing the UN General assembly, and meeting Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. 

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager