The United States on Wednesday warned Pakistan it expects full cooperation as it hunts those behind deadly terror attacks on its soil, as suspicion mounts that Afghanistan-based terror suspect Osama bin Laden may be involved.
Pakistani Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi was called to meet Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage a day after airborne terror strikes against New York and the Pentagon killed thousands of people, officials from both sides said.
"We have not made a determination yet as to who is responsible for yesterday`s attack," Secretary of State Colin Powell told reporters.
"But we thought as we gathered information and looked at possible sources of the attack it would be useful to point out to the Pakistani leadership at every level that we are looking for and expecting their fullest cooperation and their help and support," Powell said.
Washington wants to see how helpful Pakistan might be "if we find a basis to act" on any information gathered by an inquiry into the attacks, Powell said.
The US ambassador to Pakistan was expected to meet top officials in Pakistan shortly, Powell added.
The United States has made made no secret of its displeasure with Pakistan`s relationship with Afghanistan`s Taliban, accused of harboring bin Laden, as investigators probe any possible role of the Saudi cleric in the attack.
Washington would like to see Islamabad force the militia to expel the Saudi-born billionaire militant.
Pakistan is one of only three countries which recognises the Taliban Islamic regime but Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf insists the Taliban cannot be influenced and the matter is a problem which should be solved through talks between Kabul and Washington. Bureau Report