Fighting on the diplomatic front in Washington, Gen Pervez Musharraf secured President Bush’s promise of a long-term partnership, a slow start to increased military assistance, an infusion of extra US dollars into Pakistan’s economy and legitimacy for his military dictatorship. Gen Musharraf found the Bush administration, despite oozing with goodwill for him, unwilling to supply new hitech weapons or the outdated F16s and to mediate in the Kashmir dispute. However, on his return to Islamabad, Gen Musharraf will have enough to show by way of hard cash converted from accumulated credits. His list of achievements during this significant visit will include a bilateral defence consultative group, an immediate aid of $220 for fighting the war against terrorism, partial debt relief and trade benefits worth about $142 million.