Lally Weymouth (LM): List month the U.S. attacked Al Qaeda In the tribal areas, of Pakistan. Was (his (track coordinated with Pakistan?

Pervez Musharraf (PM): This was definitely not coordinated with us. We condemn it and have objected to it ns an issue of sovereignty. [But 1 we do know there are foreigners and Al Qaeda in that [areal... Let’s

not play into the hands of extremists (who say) that sovereignty is only violated when someone comes by air.

LW: If the U.S. has intelligence that a terror leader is hiding in a certain housels there time for the U.S. and Pakistan to coordinate?

PM: Certainly our capability is not as much as the U.S., but that doesn’t mean that we should allow U.S. forces to operate in Pakistan.

LW: Will Osama bin Laden be found one day?

PM: Possible, but very difficult.

LW: You recently opened a dialogue with Israel which was not popular with radical groups. Where is the relationship going and why Is it good for Pakistan?

PM: We are for the creation of a Palestinian homeland, although we accept Israel's reality as a state. 1 feel we can contribute more strongly toward this cause if we are talking to Israel... And I think this pullout from Gaza was a major decision by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. We thought this needed to be encouraged.

LW: How do you see the new Indian government?

PM: The relations with India have never been as good as they are today. We have got no tension, and there is no firing on the Line of Control.

LW: You made a forward-looking proposal about self-governance for Kashmir.

PM: I give proposals, and they

don't give counterproposals.

LW: The Indians say they have not been more forthcoming because of cross-border violence in Bangalore and elsewhere in India by Pakistani-backed terror groups.

PM: This is always the farce they use not to move forward. These are independent groups acting without any guidance or support from anyone, following their own agendas. Let’s demilitarize and give self-governance to the people of Kashmir. These (Indian soldiers! are there and kill so many civilians on the slightest of pretexts.

©2006Newsweek, fnc. Reprinted by arrangement