The deputy spokesman of the State Department on Friday lauded "President Musharraf's bold and courageous actions in support of the global war on terror."
Asked to comment on Secretary Powell's statement that President Musharraf is the biggest ally of the US outside the usual allies, and the operation going on in tribal areas, Adam Ereli said: "If you look at what's been going on, you would note that the actions that Pakistan is conducting in this part of the border area have been going on for several weeks now, in fact, several months-as many as several months-maybe not in this area. But for several months, Pakistan has been actively pursuing terrorists operating from its territory in the frontier territories bordering Afghanistan."
Ereli said, "Secretary Powell's comments recognising the close and important partnership between the United States and Pakistan, that was really, I think, given meaning by the statement that we would be seeking major non-Nato ally status for Pakistan, is a recognition of Pakistan's and President Musharraf's bold and courageous actions in support of the global war on terror, some of which we are witnessing today. But which have been going on for some time and have involved, I should add, the loss of Pakistani soldiers and other forces in this cause, which is a great sacrifice, one that we recognise, one that we mourn, and one that we pay tribute to."
The deputy Spokesman said a great deal is being reported on South Waziristan operation by Pakistan against hiding fugitives, and added it was ultimately up to the Pakistan authorities "to talk about (it)".