Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman has not ruled out the possibility of discussion on the issue of Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) during one-to-one meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and President George W. Bush.
However, she said that the issue had not come under discussion during her presence in the meeting, adding that she did not rule out the possibility of discussion during one-to-one meeting. "It did not come under discussion as long as I was in the meeting," she said.
Briefing media persons after a half an hour meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session, she said President Zardari had firmly opposed the notion of unilateral actions into Pakistani territory from across the Afghan border, stressing that only Pakistani forces had the right to take anti-terror actions on its soil.
The president urged the US administration to share intelligence with Pakistan if they have about al Qaida militants, Pak forces will pursue them. President Zardari said that drone attacks inside Pakistan would complicate the situation and hit the cause of the war on terror.
When asked that the issue of investigation of Benazir Bhutto's assassination had been taken up during the meeting, she said that Zardari would take up the issue in his speech to the United Nations.
"It was the first meeting between Bush and Zardari which went very well in a good atmosphere and the chemistry was very strong," she said, adding that both leaders discussed democratic process in Pakistan and strengthening bilateral relationship. The US leader acknowledged Pakistan's sovereignty and pledged continued support for the country's economic and security fields, the minister said.
"President Bush said we are fully aware of Pakistan's concerns about its sovereignty and we respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said. She said President Bush condoled Benazir Bhutto's death and expressed his feelings at the loss of former prime minister for the family. He also recalled his meeting with the children of Pakistani leader at Beijing Olympics this year.
The delegates from the two sides attended the meeting for ten minutes after which the two leaders held one-to-one parleys for another 20 minutes. The discussions covered a wide range of issues including democracy, economic development and counter terrorism.
"President Bush praised President Zardari's courage and commitment to fight terrorism despite his great personal loss," and acknowledged that he had stood up to the challenges, Sherry added.
The US leader lauded Pakistan's important role in the fight against terrorism. Bush also expressed Washington's full support for Pakistan's initiative towards holding a conference - Friends of Pakistan - to drum up international support for its economic development.
It was noted in the discussion that Pakistan-US strategic relationship would not be confined to security issues alone but should cover wide-ranging areas like socio-economic development, agriculture and education. The Pakistani delegation included Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Finance Minister Naveed Qamar, National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Mahmud Ali Durrani and Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States Hussain Haqqani.
Whereas US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, National Security Adviser Stephen Hadely and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Richard Boucher assisted President Bush. She said that some of the issues, which were discussed during the visit of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, also came under discussion to give them final shape.
Regarding a meeting between President Zardari and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, she said that France believes that Pakistan is a key partner. Sarkozy assured Zardari to enhance economic co-operation between two countries. Zardari invited French President to visit Pakistan, which he accepted, she added.
A committee has been formed consisting of foreign ministers of the two countries, who would meet during this visit to flesh out details. She further said that an economic meeting would be held in two days, Finance Minister Naveed Qamar is staying on for 28 September meeting.
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