The US Chinook helicopters were critical to step up rescue and relief operations, said President Pervez Musharraf here on Tuesday.
He was talking to US Vice President Dick Cheney who met him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr for more than an hour. President Musharraf expressed Pakistan’s gratitude to the US for extending timely help in the aftermath of the October 8 catastrophic earthquake.
Vice President Cheney expressed United States’ solidarity and support over the earthquake calamity and said Washington would continue to assist Pakistan in its rebuilding efforts in the quake zone. He conveyed sorrow and grief over colossal losses on behalf of President George W Bush and the American nation.
The two leaders expressed a firm resolve to further consolidate multi-faceted ties between the two countries. They expressed satisfaction over existing bilateral political and economic relations. They also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Upon arrival, President Musharraf warmly welcomed the American leader. Later, President Musharraf hosted a luncheon in honour of the visiting US leader, which was also attended by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Dick Cheney, later, left for quake-affected areas to witness the scale of damage and express solidarity with the survivors.
He visited a field hospital set up by the US medical team in Muzaffarabad after the October 8 decimating earthquake and met the people being treated there. Accompanied by Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, the US vice president was briefed about the medical support provided by the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital to quake-victims since it was set up on October 25.
Manned by some 200 US paramedics, the field hospital has entertained more than 7,550 patients and is working alongwith Health Ministry, Unicef and WHO to provide immunisations to some 80,000 children in Muzaffarabad and the surrounding areas.
Cheney and his wife also met women and children being treated at the hospital and expressed solidarity with them on the tragedy that left more than 75,000 dead and 3.5 million others displaced in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP.
"It’s been an amazing experience to see the extent of the devastation, when you think about the number of deaths and injuries," Cheney told reporters. "We’re doing a great deal here and it’s a remarkable success," Cheney said.
Unprecedented security measures were taken for the visit. The entire complex now housed in the AJK Secretariat building was cordoned off by troops, while the internal security arrangements were with the US security personnel.
The US vice president earlier had an aerial view of the devastated town of Balakot, which was completely razed after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake on Oct 8. Cheney left after a brief visit to Pakistan. He was seen off at the Chaklala Airbase by Foreign Minister Khursheed Kasuri, US ambassador Rayan C Crocker and other officials.
Cheney decided to cut short his tour to return to the United States to take part in critical session-ending business in the Senate, an aide said.After Cheney’s departure for home, American ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C Crocker told newsmen Cheney’s visit itself was another indication of the strength of bilateral relationship between the two countries. He said the high-level visits going in both the directions are part of the pattern of the bilateral relations and close interaction between the two countries.
Crocker said the visit was special and it reflected the concern of the American people about what happened in Pakistan and to express the solid support from the US government and people for the victims of this disaster.
"The message that Vice President conveyed at the request of President Bush was sympathies for Pakistani people and full support for the earthquake recovery efforts." That was the key message, he added.
The US ambassador said due to extensive range of interest in bilateral relations between the two countries, the meeting of President Musharraf and US Vice President Cheney was an opportunity to exchange views on US-Pakistani ties, how these ties could be further expanded. He, however, said the main focus of the discussion between the two leaders was the earthquake.
He said there was an opportunity during the meeting to talk about other issues as well including the economic relations, cooperation in the war on terror and other matters. Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri told journalists Cheney’s visit to Pakistan was "very productive".
Kasuri said a range of issues, including bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US, Kashmir and other regional issues came under discussion in the meeting. The prevailing situation in Iraq and Afghanistan was also discussed, he said.
They also held talks on the supply of F-16 planes, Kasuri said, adding that Pakistan made it clear that after overcoming the disaster of earthquake, Islamabad would be in a position by next year to place orders for purchase of F-16 after carrying out estimates. Musharraf thanked Cheney during the meeting for delivery of two F-16 planes to Pakistan, Kasuri said.
jang.com.pk |
