Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf is claiming success after four days of talks with western leaders aimed at bringing Pakistan back into the diplomatic fold for its role in the US-led war on terrorism.
But if Musharraf received a warm welcome in France, Britain and the US, his trip produced mixed results, including vague promises of economic aid and a US refusal to release new jet fighters to Islamabad.
The US and Britain also turned a deaf ear to his appeals for a halt in the US bombing in Afghanistan during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan beginning later this week.
Musharraf, who flies home today, was counting on his trip to burnish his image after the cool reception he received from the west for the military coup that brought him to power in 1999.
After talks with US President George W. Bush on Saturday outside the UN General Assembly both addressed in New York, Musharraf hailed "the dawn of a new era in the relationship between Pakistan and the United States."
But if Musharraf's gamble in supporting the US military offensive on a neighboring Muslim country has paid off handsomely in the short term, he showed concern whether the benefits would last over the long haul.
He told reporters that Islamabad was trying to cope with the economic fallout of its move to provide logistical facilities and intelligence cooperation to the US effort.
"I am sure the [US-led] coalition would understand Pakistan's concerns and the burden that it is having and we look forward to economic assistance to alleviate our burden," he told reporters in New York.
But he questioned if assistance would be sustained. "That is our biggest concern," he said. "Pakistan should never be standing alone, during this operation and especially after the operation's objectives are achieved."
Musharraf heard high praise from the US president, who told a joint news conference that "Pakistan's efforts against terror are benefiting the entire world and linking Pakistan more closely with the world."
Bush promised debt relief and other assistance but US officials refused to detail what monies if any were available in addition to aid already shunted to Islamabad for its help since the Sept. 11 terror strikes on the US.
Bush quickly cleared the way for direct US assistance for Pakistan and support for international lending to the country by waiving sanctions imposed on Islamabad for its nuclear testing and military coup.
Washington then approved US$100 million in aid for Pakistan and later agreed to reschedule US$375.4 million of its debt. The White House added this week US$500 million for health, education and infrastructure.
RSS