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Rice praises Pakistan moves


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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Indian officials.
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ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a visit to Pakistan Thursday, expressed optimism about the country's democratic evolution and its negotiations with nuclear rival India over the disputed territory of Kashmir.

Also, she praised the growing relationship between Pakistan and its neighbor Afghanistan, saying this diplomatic warming could help "anchor" the region economically. Rice earlier during her diplomatic mission to Asia visited Afghanistan, where she met with President Hamid Karzai.

The secretary of state appeared before reporters with her counterpart, Foreign Secretary Khurshid Kashuri, in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

"This is a broad and deep relationship," said Rice, describing U.S.-Pakistani ties.

She stressed that Pakistan is on a road toward democratic reforms "that would lead to free and fair elections in 2007." She didn't say anything about the controversy over whether the country's leader, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, should relinquish control of armed forces and enter the civilian political arena.

"Pakistan is a country that has come an enormously long way," she said, since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks launched by al Qaeda, which had been harbored by the ruling Taliban in neighboring Afghanistan.

"This is not the Pakistan of September 11," she said, nor the same as it was one year after the attacks.

She said Pakistan has made progress in instituting reforms, citing those involving the media and education.

Kashuri, touting what he described as a free Pakistani media, also stressed that the prominent role and presence of women in government. He said the country has a "working democracy" while also acknowledging that "we can never be perfect." He said he looks forward to totally free and fair elections in 2007.

Rice, asked about the resolution of the Kashmir situation, recognized "deep division" but expressed hope that differences could be overcome in an atmosphere of good will. She said all issues must be on the table for "eventual resolution."

She noted the positive effects of "cricket diplomacy" between India and Pakistan and qualified in jest, "even if I myself don't understand (the sport of) cricket very well."

Rice was asked about the proposed sale of F-16s to Pakistan and concerns about the black market nuclear network of Pakistani nuclear scientist A.Q. Khan. She said there were "broad discussions" over defense and stressed that the Khan network represented a threat to the region. She said Pakistan has cooperated with the United States in breaking up the network.

Rice said the United States admires Pakistan's courage in the fight against terror and underscored Bush's pledge of $3 billion over a five-year period in economic and security assistance and backing of reforms in the country.


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