US President George W Bush has assured his Pakistani counterpart, Asif Ali Zardari, that US would honour Pakistan's sovereignty and pledged continued support for economic and security fields. Both leaders met at Waldorf Astoria Hotel on the sidelines of 63rd UN General Assembly session, where they discussed strengthening of bilateral relations which are now becoming more and more bitter after US attacks on innocent civilian in tribal areas.
Other issues which were discussed at the meeting were Pakistan's role in war against terrorism, Pakistan's intelligence agencies' role, especially that of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in this war, energy issues, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones(ROZs) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
There were reports that US President stressed that Pakistan must reform ISI, and questioned its role in US efforts to eliminate terrorists, which is the agenda of both countries. President Bush expressed profound sense of grief over heavy loss of life in the weekend bombing on Marriott Hotel in Islamabad where US citizens were also killed.
He said that Pakistan is an important ally, and reaffirmed United States' commitment to assist Pakistan's economic development while citing Washington's bipartisan support in this respect.
President Zardari welcomed President Bush's offer of US support for restoration of democracy, and said that he was confident that Pakistan would be able to overcome the problems confronting it. "Democracy is the answer to problems facing the country. We have problems; we have a situation; but we will solve them," Zardari said.
President Bush said: I got to know you a little bit in an interesting way when I met your children at the Olympics, and it reminded me about the great suffering that they and you have been through with the loss of your beloved wife. And, I thank you very much for staying involved in public service to honour her legacy."
He said: "Pakistan is an ally, and I look forward to deepening our relationship. We'll be discussing, of course, how to help spread prosperity. "We want our friends around the world to be making a good living. We want there to be economic prosperity, and we can work together. And, of course, we'll be talking about security, and your words have been very strong about Pakistan's sovereign right and sovereign duty to protect your country, and the United States wants to help."
He said that one of the things he had heard here in his stay in New York was world leaders wondering whether or not the United States had the right plan to deal with this economic crisis, and he assured them that the plan laid out by Secretary Paulson was a robust plan to deal with a serious problem.
"And now they're wondering about our Congress, and I've assured them as well that having spoken to the leaders of the Congress from both political parties, there is the desire to get something done quickly." He said that there was a natural give-and-take when it came to the legislative process.
"There are good ideas that need to be listened to in order to get a good bill out that will address the situation." But, he said, he was confident and that there would be a bipartisan bill, "that the Republicans and Democrats will come together to get this piece of legislation passed, which is necessary to address the financial situation and provide a rescue plan to make sure that there's some stability in the markets".
Asif thanked President Bush, saying: "Pakistan respects your feelings, the American ideals and bringing Pakistan to this whole concept of your promise to the world of bringing democracy to Pakistan." He said: "What democracy is all about: to take difficult decisions and do the right thing for the people of our country, and our two great nations US and Pakistan should come together in this hard time, and we will share the burden and responsibility with the world."
Other issues which were discussed at the meeting were Pakistan's role in war against terrorism, Pakistan's intelligence agencies' role, especially that of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), in this war, energy issues, Reconstruction Opportunity Zones(ROZs) and Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT).
There were reports that US President stressed that Pakistan must reform ISI, and questioned its role in US efforts to eliminate terrorists, which is the agenda of both countries. President Bush expressed profound sense of grief over heavy loss of life in the weekend bombing on Marriott Hotel in Islamabad where US citizens were also killed.
He said that Pakistan is an important ally, and reaffirmed United States' commitment to assist Pakistan's economic development while citing Washington's bipartisan support in this respect.
President Zardari welcomed President Bush's offer of US support for restoration of democracy, and said that he was confident that Pakistan would be able to overcome the problems confronting it. "Democracy is the answer to problems facing the country. We have problems; we have a situation; but we will solve them," Zardari said.
President Bush said: I got to know you a little bit in an interesting way when I met your children at the Olympics, and it reminded me about the great suffering that they and you have been through with the loss of your beloved wife. And, I thank you very much for staying involved in public service to honour her legacy."
He said: "Pakistan is an ally, and I look forward to deepening our relationship. We'll be discussing, of course, how to help spread prosperity. "We want our friends around the world to be making a good living. We want there to be economic prosperity, and we can work together. And, of course, we'll be talking about security, and your words have been very strong about Pakistan's sovereign right and sovereign duty to protect your country, and the United States wants to help."
He said that one of the things he had heard here in his stay in New York was world leaders wondering whether or not the United States had the right plan to deal with this economic crisis, and he assured them that the plan laid out by Secretary Paulson was a robust plan to deal with a serious problem.
"And now they're wondering about our Congress, and I've assured them as well that having spoken to the leaders of the Congress from both political parties, there is the desire to get something done quickly." He said that there was a natural give-and-take when it came to the legislative process.
"There are good ideas that need to be listened to in order to get a good bill out that will address the situation." But, he said, he was confident and that there would be a bipartisan bill, "that the Republicans and Democrats will come together to get this piece of legislation passed, which is necessary to address the financial situation and provide a rescue plan to make sure that there's some stability in the markets".
Asif thanked President Bush, saying: "Pakistan respects your feelings, the American ideals and bringing Pakistan to this whole concept of your promise to the world of bringing democracy to Pakistan." He said: "What democracy is all about: to take difficult decisions and do the right thing for the people of our country, and our two great nations US and Pakistan should come together in this hard time, and we will share the burden and responsibility with the world."
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