Musharraf seeks lifting of U.S. sanctions

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JULY 31. The visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State, Ms. Christina Rocca, today interacted with a broad spectrum of Pakistani society and the Government for an assessment of Pakistan's concerns in the region.

She had a lengthy meeting with a delegation of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD), that has been fighting for the restoration of democracy, before her interactive session with the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf.

It is believed that the leaders of the ARD, including representatives of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), told Ms. Rocca that they were determined to continue their agitation.

Ms. Rocca is on a six-day visit billed as a `familiarisation trip' of the sub-continent. She was in India and later in Nepal last week.

Diplomats in the United States Embassy say the primary objective of the visit is to assess the situation and spell out the approach of the Bush Administration to South Asia.

An official statement by the Pakistan Government said that U.S.- Pakistan relations were the focus of discussions between Ms. Rocca and Gen. Musharraf. Though the official release was silent on the subject, it is believed that the Pakistan President impressed upon Ms. Rocca the need for early lifting of U.S. sanctions.

``The President briefed the Assistant Secretary on the Government's reform agenda and the steps being taken to restore democracy which include the holding of local bodies' elections. The latest developments in Pakistan-India relations and other issues of regional peace and security were also discussed,'' the statement said.

Ms. Rocca also called on the Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, the Interior Minister, Lt. Gen. (retd.) Moinuddin Haider and the Finance Minister, Mr. Shaukat Aziz and held official level talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with Additional Secretary (Americas). Various issues of common interest, including Afghanistan, non-proliferation, U.S. sanctions and the regional situation in South Asia were discussed.

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Section  : International
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