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US willing to revive defence ties with Pakistan: Rumsfeld
The United States has said it is willing to revive closer defence cooperation with Pakistan as military-to-military exchanges should not become victim of ups and downs in the political relationship.
The United States has said it is willing to revive closer defence cooperation with Pakistan as military-to-military exchanges should not become victim of ups and downs in the political relationship.
“Military contacts and exchanges programmes have benefited both Pakistan and the United States and such linkages should be maintained,” US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld said.
Rumsfeld said that he was in contact with the Congress on the issue of defence cooperation with Pakistan. Asked what role the US can play to help resolve the Kashmir issue, he said that President George W Bush and secretary of state Colin Powell have repeatedly expressed American interest in peaceful resolution of the differences between the two countries, including on Kashmir.
Rumsfeld said that regional stability was necessary to resolve different problems, including economic difficulties. On reports emanating from west, particularly the US, about Pakistan's nuclear capability, he said he fully respects the assertion of President Pervez Musharraf that the country's nuclear programmes and assets were being managed safely and handled responsibly.
Bureau Report
“Military contacts and exchanges programmes have benefited both Pakistan and the United States and such linkages should be maintained,” US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld said.
Rumsfeld said that he was in contact with the Congress on the issue of defence cooperation with Pakistan. Asked what role the US can play to help resolve the Kashmir issue, he said that President George W Bush and secretary of state Colin Powell have repeatedly expressed American interest in peaceful resolution of the differences between the two countries, including on Kashmir.
Rumsfeld said that regional stability was necessary to resolve different problems, including economic difficulties. On reports emanating from west, particularly the US, about Pakistan's nuclear capability, he said he fully respects the assertion of President Pervez Musharraf that the country's nuclear programmes and assets were being managed safely and handled responsibly.
Bureau Report