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Hope new government will be our ally, says Bush

Washington: Terming the outcome of Pakistan elections a “victory in the war on terror,” United States President George W. Bush said on Wednesday he hoped the new government in Islamabad would be a “friend” of the U.S.

“There was a victory for the people of Pakistan and there were elections held that have been judged as being fair. And the people have spoken. I view that as a significant victory. I view it as a part of the victory in the war on terror,” the President, who was in Ghana as a part of his African tour, said.

Mr. Bush thanked Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the smooth conduct of the elections. “I appreciate the fact that Musharraf has done exactly that which he said he was going to do. He said he’d hold elections, he said he would get rid of his emergency law. And so it’s now time for the newly elected folks to show up and form their government, and the question then is, will they be friends of the U.S., and I certainly hope so.”

Mr. Bush said the U.S. viewed Pakistan as an important ally and both the countries had got common interests. — PTI

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