Islamabad: President George W. Bush yesterday sought to calm serious concerns in Pakistan over the repeated threat by American officials that US forces could launch strikes on Al Qaida hideouts in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
Bush told President Pervez Musharraf during a telephone conversation the US fully respected Pakistan's sovereignty, a foreign ministry statement said.
The US president stated the primary purpose of his telephone call was to congratulate the president and the people of Pakistan on the 60th anniversary of its independence on August 14.
Bush reaffirmed the US desire to build a strong, long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan as it served the interest of both countries and the world, the statement said.
The United States wanted to see a strong, stable and prosperous Pakistan, the statement quoted the US president as saying.
Bush praised the role that Pakistan and Musharraf have been playing for peace and security in the region and said he appreciated the courage and sacrifices of the Pakistan armed forces in fighting extremism.
Respect
He said recent statements emanating from the US regarding possible action inside Pakistani territory were unsavoury and often prompted by political considerations in an environment of electioneering. He agreed such statements did not serve the interests of either country.
According to the statement Musharraf also raised the issue of recent legislation adopted by the US Congress on the Implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations, which ties aid to Pakistan's performance in the fight against terrorism.
Musharraf expressed concern over elements in the legislation that reflected negatively on Pakistan-US cooperation and relations. The US president explained the background of the legislation, expressing the view he did not foresee any adverse impact of the Pakistan specific provisions on the existing cooperation which "was in the mutual interest of both countries".
He mentioned that Cong-ress recently approved almost $150 million (Dh550.8 million) for the development of Pakistan's federally administered tribal areas. This, the US president stated, was another indication of the strong commitment on the part of the US to support Pakistan.
Meanwhile presidential candidate Barack Obama says he would not use nuclear weapons "in any circumstance" to fight terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawing criticism from Hillary Rodham Clinton and other Democratic rivals.
"I think it would be a profound mistake for us to use nuclear weapons in any circumstance," Obama said, and added after a pause, "involving civilians." Then he quickly added, "Let me scratch that."
- With additional input from AP