7 (NNN): Visiting American Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage has said that though not every member of Pakistan's security forces may share President Pervaiz Musharraf's commitment to the US-led hunt for the Taleban and the al-Qaeda terror network as an institution the military and security services were "200 per cent" behind the General.
Armitage's comments came in response to a couple of questions on his last week's statement that he was not sure if the whole rank and file of the Pakistan security services were cooperating in the US-led anti-Al Qaeda campaign in the tribal areas.
Asked whether this statement amounted to saying that Musharraf as the Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army did not have full control over his troops, he said: "There is no question in my mind about the total sincerity of the efforts put forth by Gen Musharraf.
I said there was some question of some individuals in the security services who might not have the same affection, that is the same energy and the same regard, for the efforts of President Musharraf." When it was pointed out that his latest statement was in sharp contrast to the doubts he expressed last week and what made him change his position, he reiterated: "I say there is no question in my mind and I don't think in anybody's mind in Washington that the institutions are firmly behind the president and the nation, and as I said 200 per cent." Dilating on the same subject, Armitage stated: "I said in Washington last week that there seem to be some individuals who did not share the same affection and let me reiterate I mean the same amount." However, he hastened to add: "But in terms of institutions we are absolutely convinced all the institutions, military or security, are behind the President (Musharraf)." The US Deputy Secretary of State said he had never questioned Musharraf's sincerity or effort in the war on terror, but said he had only questioned some individuals with the security services.
"In no way do I have any sign that the military and the security forces as institutions are anything but 200 per cent behind the nation and behind the President," he said, repeating that he had full confidence in Musharraf's commitment to capturing the al-Qaeda and the Taleban suspects.
The US envoy was speaking along with country's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri at the Foreign Office after talks with Musharraf on the hunt for the Taleban and the al-Qaeda activists.
Armitage accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca held talks with Musharraf, Kasuri and Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan.
They discussed with the president and the foreign minister the situation in Afghanistan, Iraq and exchanged views on bilateral relations.
The US official described his discussions with Musharraf and Kasuri as very good.
Armitage repeated his praise of the latest operation during talks with Musharraf.
He dismissed talk of cracks in the relationship with Pakistan as rubbish.
He stressed the importance of Washington's relations with Pakistan, considered one of its most important allies in the two-year-old war on terrorism.
"This is a special relationship to the United States, one that President (George W.
Bush) treasures particularly," Armitage said.
Washington was seeking "a whole strategic relationship ...
not simply one based on the global war on terror, but one that covers in higher depth economic and social, political as well as of course security".
KASHMIR TANGLE: On Kashmir issue, Armitage said, "It is high on the agenda of UN General Assembly and also high on the agenda here in my talks." He said that he had very good discussions with Musharraf and Kasuri on the issue.
"From Washington's perspective the Kashmir issue is one that has to be resolved through dialogue and we continue to seek its resolution.
The issue of Kashmir is high on the agenda," Armitage said.
When his attention was drawn to the 'Glide Path' security programme entailing nuclear, missile and space technology development that the US and India had agreed to jointly pursue, he promptly clarified that it was a "civilian nuclear cooperation." About Pakistan's concern on US defence cooperation with India, Armitage said, anything we do that affects Pakistan, we are extra-ordinarily sensitive to it and are taking into concern the sensitivities of the feelings here in Pakistan.
"We don't feel that we are engaging in something that would disrupt the status quo in a way, its detrimental to Pakistan," Armitage said.
Pakistan had expressed deep reservations about Washington's decision to allow Israel to sell an advanced early warning radar system to India, saying it would create an arms imbalance in South Asia.
Kasuri told journalists that he had also raised the same issue with him.
"We had also raised the issue with President Bush when we were in New York and President Bush also was very sensitive to the issue." Replying to a question about compensating the families of the soldiers martyred on Pak- Afghan border during an operation against the al-Qaeda operatives, US Deputy Secretary said, I did take note of tragic loss of some of the valiant soldiers of Pakistan.
This was an accident, one that was certainly something that we did not wish.
Earlier in his brief statement, Armitage said he had very stimulating conversation.
This is a special relationship to the US, President Bush and to treasuries particularly.
He said I had the opportunity to engage in discussions with our colleagues here following up on my trip to Kandhar and Kabul.
Armitage said that he had shared with the president and the foreign minister his impressions of Afghanistan.
He had rather in depth discussion with President Musharraf on the question of a whole strategic relationship, he added.
Welcoming the US Deputy Secretary, Kasuri said Pakistan and US have robust long-term relationship.
This explains frequent high-level contacts between Pakistan and the United States.
In this context, Kasuri said Armitage and Rocca have paid a very successful visit to Pakistan.
"I just had an in depth interaction with him on Pak-US relations, regional situation, Afghanistan and war on terrorism," he said.
Kasuri said during Armitage's meeting with Musharraf, both sides expressed the hope for the continuation of engagement between Pakistan and the US.
The US officials also called on Secretary Defence Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz Khan separately.
Matters relating to bilateral relations, defence cooperation and geo-political situation in the region came under discussion during the meeting.
The secretary defence briefed Armitage on the recent Defence Consultative Group's meeting and requested him to use his good offices for speedy implementation of the decisions taken during the DCG meeting and for removing any unforeseen hurdles that may arise therein.
Armitage expressed appreciation for the role played by Pakistan in the war against terrorism.
He said the US wants to engage in a long-term sustainable relationship with Pakistan that ensures working together in social, cultural, economic and defence fields.
In connection with DCG meeting, he assured the secretary that he would use his influence to move things speedily in the right direction.
Nancy Powell, US Ambassador in Pakistan also attended the meeting.