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T V Parasuram in Washington
The US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, said on Monday night that the US is sensitive to Pakistan's internal situation and also complimented the country for its willingness to take 'risks'.
Powell added, "There is no reason not to trust the Pakistanis."
He said this in an interview to CBS-TV.
In another interview to CNN, also on Monday, Powell had said the US would take into account Pakistan's 'sensitivities' against involvement of India and Israel in any operation to deal with those responsible for terror attacks on the US.
He said that the Pakistanis have been 'forthcoming' in their reaction to the demands made by the US in order to fight terrorism.
But he added, "We will see now what they are actually going to do when specific requests are put before them."
When questioned about the threat of Musharraf government being toppled by 'Islamic fundamentalists' because of its help to Washington, Powell said, "We are very sensitive to that, and I know that President Musharraf is very sensitive to that. So in our conversations with the Pakistani government in the days and weeks ahead, we will be mindful of that."
Powell said, "They have internal problems that they are dealing with."
He complimented the Pakistan government for their 'willingness to take internal risks' in the fight against terrorism
Asked if he trusted Pakistanis, Powell said he did not see any reason not to trust them.
"We have had a strong relationship with Pakistan for many, many years. We have been friends of Pakistan and the Pakistani people for many, many years, and I hope that the friendship will continue and the relationship will grow," he added.
Asked about a Pakistani delegation going to Kandahar in Afghanistan to persuade the Taliban militia to hand over Osama bin Laden, he said, "I am encouraged that the Pakistanis continue to play such a positive role in moving this campaign forward against those who might have been responsible for the tragedies of September 11."
Powell said if Pakistanis managed to get Osama bin Laden the US would see whether he could be tried under UN resolutions or Pakistani law.
"But let us not over speculate before anything has really happened," he quickly added.
PTI
The Attack on America: The Complete Coverage
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