WASHINGTON: U.S. President Bush, in a report to Congress on “national security strategy of the United States, described both Pakistan and India as “friends” of the U.S. But he drew a sharp distinction between the levels of friendship.
He described Pakistan as a traditional ally,” while India is a country with which, he said, the U.S will seek to improve relations.
“In South Asia, Pakistan and India are both friends of the United States,” Bush said adding that, “we applaud the return of democracy to Pakistan and the trends of economic liberalization in both countries. We will seek to maintain our special relationship with our traditional ally, Pakistan, steadily improve our relations with India and encourage Indo— Pakistani re-approach-ment and a halt to nuclear proliferation.”
On Afghanistan he reiterated current U.S, policy of continuing to arm the guerrillas and deplored Soviet arming of the illegitimate regime,” in Kabul.
He said, “While we welcome the withdrawal of Soviet military forces from Afghanistan the massive and continuing Soviet arms supply to the illegitimate regime in Kabul reinforces the need for continued U.S. support to the Mujahidin in their quest for self-determination for the Afghan people.
“We remain firmly committed to a comprehensive political settlement as the best means of achieving Afghan self-determination and regional security,” he added.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 30, 1990
