Pakistan tells any US unilateral strikes counter-productive

Islamabad: Amid mounting pressure on President Pervez Musharraf to do more to fight terrorism, Pakistan on Wednesday told the US that any unilateral American strikes on its soil would be "counter-productive to the close cooperation between the two countries".

Pakistan's concern over calls in the US for unilateral action to target al-Qaeda and Taliban in the areas bordering Afghanistan was conveyed by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri to visiting Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher.

Asked by Kasuri to clarify reports of the threatened military action, Boucher had referred to statements by US President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in which they said they respect Pakistan's sovereignty, said a Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement.

Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had used public appearances on Tuesday marking the 60th anniversary of Pakistan's Independence to reiterate Islamabad's anger at the suggestions of possible airstrikes.

Kasuri told Boucher his country was making "valuable contributions and immense sacrifices in fighting extremism and terrorism," the statement said.

Boucher's visit, the fourth to Pakistan this year, comes less than a week after Musharraf conceded that al-Qaeda and the Taliban had established bases in Pakistan to plan international attacks.

The Indo-US civil nuclear deal also figured in the meeting. The statement said Boucher praised Pakistan's efforts at fighting terrorism and reaffirmed Washington's desire to develop long-term strategic relations with Islamabad.

The US official is also due to meet Musharraf .

Boucher said at the meeting that he "appreciated the contribution and sacrifices made by Pakistan in fighting extremism and terrorism," the statement said.

It also cited Boucher as saying Washington was "committed to a long-term strategic relationship with Pakistan and (that) there existed a solid foundation for such a relationship."

Kasuri said a long-term strategic relationship between Pakistan and the U.S was in the interest of both the countries and for durable and peace in the region. He said the relationship "should be based on mutual trust and confidence."

He utilised Boucher's visit to express concern about recent legislation tying US aid to Pakistan's progress at fighting terrorism.

Such legislation\ reminded of the Pressler Amendment, which had impacted negatively on the bilateral relations, and was contrary to the spirit of Pak-US strategic relationship, the statement said.