DATE=1/20/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAK / U-S (S/L)
NUMBER=2-258239
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A senior U-S official is in Pakistan for talks
with the country's military leaders, including the
Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf. As
Correspondent Scott Anger reports, on the agenda are
number of issues facing Pakistan -- including the
issue of when the army might return the country to
civilian rule.
TEXT: Assistant Secretary of State Karl Inderfurth
is the most senior U-S official to visit Pakistan
since an army coup ousted the democratically elected
government last October.
Mr. Inderfurth's arrival comes about a week after the
visit of two U-S senate delegations to the region.
One was led by Minority leader Tom Daschle and the
other was led by Senator Sam Brownback. Spokesman for
the U-S Embassy in Islamabad, Lee James Irwin, says
the U-S delegations visiting Pakistan have been
looking into the same issues.
///IRWIN ACTUALITY///
All of these talks have engaged Pakistani officials on
broad issues surrounding security, the return to
democracy and Pakistani plans for economic and
political reform.
///END ACTUALITY///
Pakistan's military leadership says, before calling
elections, it wants to clean up the political system
and improve the economy.
///REST OPT FOR LONG///
During Mr. Inderfurth's visit, officials say the
issues of terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation will
be discussed. Since Pakistan conducted nuclear tests
in 1998, Washington has been pressuring the country to
sign the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.
The United States has also been asking Pakistan to use
its influence with the Taleban movement in neighboring
Afghanistan to hand over accused terrorist Osama bin
Laden. Mr. bin Laden is wanted by the United States
for his role in the 1998 bombing of two U-S embassies
in Africa. Washington wants the Saudi dissident to
stand trial for the attack. The Taleban have refused
to hand over Mr. bin Laden and say he is a guest of
Afghanistan. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/WD
20-Jan-2000 06:29 AM EDT (20-Jan-2000 1129 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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