F-16s missing in package for Pak

Bush responded saying Musharraf had been a 8216;8216;strong advocate8217;8217; for the sale of F-16s to Pakistan but made it clear that it won8217;t be part of the package.

Many in Pakistan have still not forgiven Washington for refusing to deliver 28 F-16 fighters in the 1990s because of concerns over the country8217;s nuclear programme.

After 90-minutes of talks at at the presidential retreat in Maryland, Bush declared that he will stand by and be ready to help resolve Indo-Pak tension but a final agreement requires the leadership from both the Pakistan and Indian governments. 8216;8216;We will do all we can to promote peace,8217;8217; he said.

He said he was encouraged by the moves Musharraf and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee made in easing tension between the two sides. 8216;8216;I am hopeful the two countries will deepen their engagement on all issues, including Kashmir.8217;8217;

Musharraf, speaking after Bush, agreed that 8216;8216;there is no cause that can be justified or promoted through terrorist acts.8217;8217; Bush praised Musharraf8217;s leadership in fighting Al Qaeda and in helping ease tensions with India while saying that Musharraf8217;s vision of progress at home will 8216;8216;require movement toward democracy in Pakistan.8217;8217;