'Pakistan's political coalition is new challenge to US'

Washington, Feb 25: The United States has started a slow and awkward separation from Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

“No one wants us to be involved in giving Musharraf the bum's rush, pushing him out the door," a senior State Department official was quoted by the Dawn, as saying. “We're quite clear that we're going to work with him, but in a new role, as we'll work with new leaders in the parties, the army and civil society," he added. The Bush regime is looking for new ideas, including a proposal by Senator Joseph R. Biden to triple nonmilitary aid, sustain it for 10 years, and focus on schools, roads, health care, the official said.

According to officials, the initiative would support recent US strategy emphasizing education, economic development as keys to stabilizing society, weaning away tribal and rural support for extremists.

ANI