Bush calls Musharraf to assure him of US respect for Pak sovereignty

President George W Bush has spoken to President Pervez Musharraf, and assured him that the US fully respects Pakistans sovereignty.

Islamabad, Aug 4 : President George W Bush has spoken to President Pervez Musharraf, and assured him that the US fully respects Pakistan's sovereignty.

The call was made to cool down adverse reactions to Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama's warning of possible American strikes in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, and congratulate the people of Pakistan on the 60th Independence Anniversary.

"President Bush stated that the US fully respected Pakistan's sovereignty and appreciated Islamabad's resolve in fighting al Qaeda and other terrorist elements," said Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, while giving details of the telephone conversation.

Commenting on Obama's statement, Bush described it as unsavoury and prompted by political considerations in an environment of electioneering.

He agreed that such statements did not serve the interests of either country, Tasnim said.

Bush also praised Pakistan's role in promoting peace and security in the region, she added.Musharraf is also said to have raised the issue of a recent legislation adopted by the US Congress on the implementation of 9/11 Commission's recommendations, and expressed concern over elements that negatively affected the Pak-US bilateral relations, the Daily Times reported.

According to Aslam, Bush explained the background of the anti-terror bill, and said he did not foresee an adverse impact from Pakistan specific provisions.

Bush mentioned that the US Congress had recently approved development related funds of 150 million dollars for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, which was another indication of US support to Pakistan.

ANI