ISLAMABAD: : The United States is keenly watching the September 14 meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It wants the two neighbours to resolve their differences amicably.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who called on Gen. Musharraf in New York on Monday, conveyed Washington's views to him. "Dr. Rice told the President that the U.S. was interested in helping out India and Pakistan in resolving their differences peacefully," Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said talking to presspersons later.

On his meeting with the Indian leader, the President told Dr. Rice that Pakistan would do whatever was required to improve bilateral relations. `He explained to her the recent contacts between Pakistan and India as part of the composite dialogue and emphasised the need for resolution of the Kashmir issue," Mr. Kasuri said.

"Dr. Rice told the President she believed that this was a very important issue and encouraged the two neighbouring states to continue the composite dialogue."

Address to U.N. plenary

Gen. Musharraf's address to the United Nations plenary meeting on Wednesday would reflect Pakistan's perspective on reform proposals aimed at enhancing international security, development and human rights and strengthening the U.N. to meet challenges of the 21st century, he said.

Gen. Musharraf offered to fence Pakistan's border with Afghanistan to dispel doubts that Islamabad was not doing enough to stop cross-border infiltration.

"We are fed up with these allegations and we have offered to fence the border but Afghanistan has not responded to our proposal. There are people who say that President Musharraf wants to stop infiltrations but some in the ISI do not. We want all such allegations to stop. That's why we have proposed this fence," said Mr. Kasuri.

"Pleasant surprise"

"This was a pleasant surprise for her," he said to a question about Dr. Rice's response. Pakistan had a vested interest in peace and stability in Afghanistan. "Three years ago, our trade with Afghanistan was only $30 million a year. Now, with improvement of peace in Afghanistan, it has increased by 40 times."

Peace did not suit the Afghan warlords and drug traffickers and they stirred up trouble, putting the blame on Pakistan. The proposed fencing could create problems in Pakistan, where the local Pashtuns might oppose the project.

"We will deal with these problems when we come across them. Right now, we want to silence those who blame Pakistan for everything."

The U.S. officials were aware of Pakistan's efforts to help in restoring stability in Afghanistan and were "very happy with our efforts" but there were "some in the media who blame us."

Gen. Musharraf told Dr. Rice that Pakistan had deployed additional troops along the border to help Afghan authorities hold parliamentary elections, Mr. Kasuri said.

Sarabjit case

UNI reports:

Mr. Kasuri said chances of converting Sarabjit Singh's death sentence into life imprisonment were bleak since the entire legal process had been followed before his conviction by the Supreme Court.

He said the death sentence was passed on Sarabjit in what is not ``a new case but a 15 to 20-year-old one. This case is not only related with spying but terrorism too.''

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