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Pakistan rejects terrorism in all forms: Musharraf

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday said his country rejected terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Addressing a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Musharraf accused India of making "belligerent statements" which were responsible for the tension with Pakistan.

"We should be resolute in our total rejection of all acts of terrorism," Blair said, adding both India and Pakistan should engage in a "meaningful dialogue" to resolve their disputes.

Musharraff said he was happy to state that "Pakistan and the United Kingdom hold similar perceptions on global and regional issues."

"Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and has fully cooperated with the international coalition in that spirit," the Pakistani president said.

"People understand that there can be no place for terrorist acts -whether it is September 11 or December 13. In our discussions, you (Musharraf) have made it clear that Pakistan rejects terrorism in all its forms. I welcome it," Blair said.

The British premier, who flew in to Islamabad after holding talks with Indian leaders in New Delhi, said the resolution of Indo-Pak issues would be in the interest of the people of the two countries.

Both the countries were facing difficult times and there "is a need to resolve the difficult issues through dialogue", he said.

"It is possible to bring about a situation which will allow de-esclation of the present tension," Blair added.

Musharraf said he and Blair discussed in detail the Indo-Pak tension and underlined the need for "defusing the dangerous situation".

He said Pak-Britain relations also figured in the talks and the need to strengthen cooperation in areas of defence, commerce and legal field. The Pakistan-UK Defence Forum would be meeting soon.

Recalling his talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Blair said the Indian leader was willing to have dialogue on all issues with Pakistan on the basis of exclusively peaceful means.

"Terrorism is terrorism, wherever it occurs and whoever are the victims. If collective will is there, we can break the back of the terrorists," Blair said.

He welcomed the steps taken by Pakistan to cooperate with the international coalition against terrorism.

Musharraf said the developments in Afghanistan figured during the talks and the "desire to have a friendly, powerful and strong Afghanistan was expressed by both leaders".

He said Pakistan was desirous of having a strong and good government in Afghanistan.

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