Pakistan's Musharraf Pledges 'Full Cooperation' with U-S Terrorism Probe - 2001-09-13

Pakistan's President Pervez Musharraf has pledged his country's full cooperation in the probe into Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the United States.

The new U-S ambassador to Pakistan, Wendy Chamberlin, today (Thursday) met with General Musharraf. Ms. Chamberlin later told reporters the general pledged full cooperation, saying he is with the United States.

In a statement, General Musharraf said he assured President Bush of his government's full support. He said the carnage in New York and Washington has raised the need for the anti-terrorism struggle to a new level, which demands that all countries must cooperate.

The statement says Pakistan has been extending cooperation to previous international efforts to combat terrorism, and will continue to do the same.

In Washington, U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell told a reporter Wednesday that the United States expects Pakistan to assist in the investigations into the U-S attacks.

Pakistan is one of only a few countries that recognize Afghanistan's Taleban leadership, which shelters accused terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden. The U-S government has charged the exiled Saudi dissident in connection with past terrorist attacks against the United States, and he is widely suspected of involvement in Tuesday's attacks in New York and Washington.