
President Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday rejected media reports that the US had threatened to cut aid to Pakistan if it did not step up efforts to combat al-Qaeda and Taliban forces in the country8217;s tribal regions.
In his first reaction to the American media reports that US Vice-President Dick Cheney had sounded the threats to Pakistan when he was in Islamabad last month, Musharraf said, 8220;Dick Cheney had not given Pakistan any threats.
8220;We are not sitting like scapegoats. But dialogue is held if there is any matter,8221; Musharraf told reporters after a conference on UN peacekeeping operations at the National Defence University. Cheney reportedly delivered the ultimatum during a surprise visit to Pakistan on Feb 27.
8220;We are not so vulnerable that anybody can exert pressure on us,8221; Musharraf said. He said Pakistan8217;s strategy to deal with the issue of terrorism is in the right direction.
He, however, admitted that sometimes technical problems appeared but they are resolved.About the use of force against Iran, the President said Pakistan wants that Iran8217;s nuclear issue be resolved through talks.