‘US to continue relief activities for quake victims’
By Our Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Commander of US Central Command General John P Abizaid has called on President General Pervez Musharraf Monday in army house Rawalpindi and exchanged views on a spectrum of issues related to US-Pak strategic and defence relations, relief activities of NATO and US troops for quake victims and other matters. President Musharraf thanked US government and military for providing helicopters and other equipment for quake affected people saying response from international community including US is encouraging. “However we need billion of dollars for the reconstruction and rehabilitation process as it is a big challenge”, he added.
“We want to provide tents and blankets to the affectees before the onset of harsh winter. Pakistan urgently needs them”, he told. President discussed strategic and defence ties with visiting commander of US central command. Iraq and Afghanistan situation also came under discussion.
Gen John P Abizaid assured the President that US will fully participate in the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction in quake stricken areas. As long as government of Pakistan wills, US will continue to provide its military engineers, doctors and helicopters, he added. “ We will continue relief activities”, he assured. He also commended Pakistan role in war on terror and for continued cooperation in this respect.
Gen John P Abizaid also met chairman joint chiefs of staff committee Gen Ehsan Ul Haq in joint staff headquarters and exchanged views with him on the matters of mutual interest and professional affairs. They also agreed on bolstering cooperation between armed forces of Pakistan and US.
General John P. Abizaid, Commander United States Central Command along with US Ambassador Rayon C. Crocker on Monday called on General Ehsan Ul Haq, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staffs Committee thanked and appreciated the tremendous efforts of the US government and armed forces in the relief operation. General Ehsan Ul Haq mentioned that US and Pakistan enjoyed strategic understanding and both countries are also committed to eliminate terrorism. General Abizaid thanked Chairman JCSC for extending cooperation to relief missions operating in Pakistan. Other matters of mutual interest were also discussed.