ISLAMABAD: Nov. 29, Reuter: Benazir Bhutto, appearing increasingly likely to become Pakistan’s next Prime Minister, had lunch with Soviet Ambassador Victor Yakunin on Tuesday al his Embassy.
An Embassy statement said they discussed International and Bilateral issues but did not elaborate.
Details of the talks were not immediately available from Bhutto’s Pakistan people’s party (PPP) which has made clear its support for Moslem guerrillas fighting the Soviet-backed Afghan government.
Pakistan’s acting President Ghulam Ishaq Khan is to name the new prime minister on Thursday.
Political analysts and foreign diplomats say it seems certain that 35-year-old Bhutto will get the job, becoming the Moslem world’s first woman prime minister. In November 16 elections the PPP won 45 percent of seats in the national assembly against 27 per cent for its main rival, the Islamic democratic alliance:
Earlier on Tuesday Bhutto was briefed by foreign ministry official humayun Khan, PPP sources said.
Informed sources said two senior U.S, officials who arrived in Islamabad for a visit on Tuesday were also expected to meet her on Wednesday.
They are Richard Armitage, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Assistant Secretary of State Richard Murphy whose responsibilities include South Asir. Last Friday U.S, Ambassador Robert Oakley met Bhutto at her residence.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 2, 1988
