WASHINGTON: Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf meets US President George W. Bush at the White House Saturday (Dec 4), hoping to gain some tangible "rewards" for continued cooperation in the "war on terror".

This will be the first meeting between the two after Bush's re-election. Musharraf will be one of the few leaders to meet Bush even before the latter formally begins his second term, reflecting the importance Washington attaches to its relations with Islamabad.

Musharraf, who comes here after a tour of Latin American countries, would like to obtain a US promise to sell F-16 warplanes to Pakistan. In return, sources say, the US can be expected to ask for greater cooperation and sharing of intelligence in the hunt for the remnants of the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

The India-Pakistan dialogue is also expected to figure in the Musharraf-Bush talks since the US would like to see the long-simmering dispute over Kashmir settled and tensions reduced in the subcontinent.

On Saturday evening Musharraf will meet a group of investors and later be the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Jahangir Kramat.

Musharraf is also expected to address a press conference following a luncheon meeting with former Pakistani prime minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who is currently in the US for medical reasons.

A series of media interviews has been lined up for Musharraf. Besides being interviewed on CNN and FOX news, Musharraf will have a meeting with the Washington Post editorial board.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell will also call on Musharraf after the latter's meeting with Bush.

The Pakistan president's wife will be a special guest of Laura Bush who will host a tea in her honour at the White House.

Courtesy Indo-Asian News Service