United States Deputy Secretary of State John D Negroponte said Saturday that a decision on uniform would be taken by President General Musharraf himself, on his own.
Answering a question at a press conference at the US embassy where he announced a US $750million development plan for Federal Administered Tribal Areas after meeting President Musharraf, prime minister Shaukat Aziz and others, the US Deputy Secretary of State said that it was for President Musharraf to decide about his uniform in light of the political environment that was prevailing in the region, including Pakistan.
According to Negroponte, President Musharraf will be very cautious and keep in view the prevailing circumstances and the scenario. Earlier, Negroponte also held meetings with Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Ehsanul Haque and Director General ISI Lieutenant General Tariq Kiani, here on Saturday.
He said that development and support to strengthen the Frontier Corp program would be started in the next two to three months. Spelling out some details of US support to FATA, he said that the USA would give $150 million every year to provide facilities like clean drinking water, health services, education institutions, roads and telecommunication network to end poverty, isolation and social development of the tribal people.
He said that during his talks with Pakistani leaders he discussed bilateral relations and regional international issues as well as Pakistan's key role in fight against terrorism and extremism. He said that US-Pakistan partnership "is very strong" and the US would continue its all round support to the government and people of Pakistan. He said the next round of 'Strategic Dialogue' between Pakistan and the United States would be held in September or October this year.
However, he said, the United States has stressed holding of free, fair and transparent general elections and strengthening of democracy in Pakistan. Earlier, he called on President Pervez Musharraf at Camp Office in Rawalpindi and discussed matters relating to Pakistan-US relations, counter-terrorism and Afghanistan.
A Foreign Office statement said that the President expressed satisfaction over the expansion of the multifaceted co-operation between the two countries. The President underlined the need for tangible result in the agreed areas of co-operation and appreciated US support for the Fata Sustainable Development Plan. He emphasised the importance of moving faster on the establishment of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs).
The President underscored the need for Free Trade Agreement with the US in the context of enhancing market access to ensure sustainable economic growth and development. Deputy Secretary Negroponte underlined the importance the US attaches to its relationship with Pakistan. He said Pakistan was a strategic partner and reaffirmed US commandment to a strong broad-based and long-term relationship.
The President reiterated Pakistan's firm resolve to fight extremism and terrorism. In this context, he underscored the importance of a comprehensive strategy that included political, military, administrative and socio-economic components to address this threat.
Negroponte lauded Pakistan's contribution to combating extremism and terrorism and the President's important role in this regard. He recognised that there was effective counter-terrorism co-operation between Pakistan and the US.
President Musharraf highlighted the measures taken by Pakistan to strengthen border controls and improve security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He also expressed Pakistan's commitment to moving forward on the Jirga process. Negroponte expressed US appreciation for Pakistan's contribution towards promoting peace and stabilisation in Afghanistan. During the meeting, Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher and US Embassy's Charge d'Affaires Peter Bodde were also present.
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