Pakistan looks for U.S. help

Musharraf has called for external mediation in Pakistan's dispute with India

WASHINGTON -- United States officials have dismissed suggestions by Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf that arch-enemy India has recently carried out a nuclear test.

Musharraf, who is in the U.S. for a meeting with President George W. Bush, said Tuesday he had "indications" of a possible Indian test and that the action was untimely and provocative.

But Reuters reports U.S. officials as saying they had no knowledge of such a test, and they expressed skepticism that it had taken place.

Musharraf said he had no conclusive evidence of the Indian test but he had passed on the information to the U.S. for checking.

Both India and Pakistan, who have fought three wars since 1947, have developed a nuclear capability.

IN-DEPTH India-Pakistan standoff

This factor is adding to international concerns over the build-up of nearly one million troops along the two nations 3,000 kilometer (1,800 mile) border following a terrorist attack on India's national parliament in mid-December.

Wednesdays talks between Musharraf and Bush talks that are expected to focus on the tension with India, the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and help for Pakistan ailing economy.

Musharraf has supported the war effort despite Pakistan's earlier support for the Taliban regime and fierce domestic opposition to the campaign.

The U.S. was permitted to use Pakistani air bases, share intelligence and put troops near the Afghanistan border to catch fleeing al Qaeda and Taliban members.

In response for this co-operation, Pakistan is seeking U.S. assistance in the form of billions of dollars of debt relief and other economic and military help for the impoverished nation.

Musharraf is likely to ask for the U.S. to open up its market to more Pakistan textile exports.

Pakistan also wants a more formalized and less ad-hoc relationship with the U.S., particularly regarding defense issues.

One outcome of Musharraf's first White House visit could be the revival of a joint defense policy group.

Mediation

Musharraf has also called for outside mediation in its dispute with India, but it seems unlikely the U.S. will agree to such a role with the support of India.

"We are not looking to mediate ... we are looking to assist, if both parties request our assistance," an official told reporters Tuesday.

For its part, the U.S. would like to see continued Pakistani action against Islamic extremists who have been blamed for the parliament attack and for fomenting violence in the disputed border province of Kashmir.

The U.S. would also like to see moves towards a restoration of democracy in Pakistan, Associated Press reports.

Musharraf, who seized power in a 1999 coup, has pledged parliamentary elections in October.