US worked with Musharraf to ensure its own safety, Pak's return to democracy, says Rice

Washington, June 10 : In the aftermath of 9/11, the US worked with the military establishment in Islamabad to ensure its own (US') security and also to encourage restoration of democracy in the country, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reportedly said.

"Following years of US neglect of that relationship, our administration had to establish a partnership with Pakistan's military government to achieve a common goal after September 11. We did so knowing that our security and that of Pakistan ultimately required a return to civilian and democratic rule," The News quoted her as saying in her article due to appear in the forthcoming issue of "Foreign Affairs".

"So even as we worked with President Pervez Musharraf to fight terrorists and extremists, we invested more than three billion dollars to strengthen Pakistani society's building schools and health clinics, providing emergency relief after the 2005 earthquake, and supporting political parties and the rule of law," she further writes in the article

She said that the US balanced its relationship with Pakistan (during military rule) vis-a-vis pursuing security interests and encouraging democratic development as it saw an unprecedented opportunity to build a lasting relationship with Islamabad in its return to democracy.

Rice also appreciated the Pakistanis for braving out terrorism threat and dealing a blow to extremism in February 18 polls.

"This restoration of democracy in Pakistan creates an opportunity for us to build the lasting and broad-based partnership that we have never achieved with this nation, thereby enhancing our security and anchoring the success of our values in a troubled region," The News quoted her as saying in her article.

ANI