WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush lifted sanctions Saturday against India and Pakistan that were imposed after the two nations tested nuclear weapons in 1998.The move came as a U.S. military delegation headed to Pakistan this weekend for consultations on U.S. preparations for a military strike against Afghanistan.
The sanctions barred economic and military assistance to the two countries.
Despite anti-American sentiment in the country, Pakistan agreed last week to share military intelligence with the United States, permit its airspace to be used by American military aircraft and to provide U.S. access to military facilities.
These commitments would enable the United States to use Pakistan in any assault on bin Laden, who operates his terrorism network from Afghanistan.
The delegation, drawn from the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other Pentagon offices, will meet early in the week with their Pakistani military counterparts, a senior Bush administration official said Saturday.
Initially, Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca was to head the delegation to Islamabad, but cooperation on the diplomatic front already has been worked out, the official told The Associated Pesss on condition of anonymity.
But the details of what appears to be a pending operation need to be worked out.
Pakistan's association with the United States has given President Bush's campaign against terrorism a lift and improved U.S. relations with the South Asian country.
The Bush administration has informed Congress it is prepared to ease sanctions against Pakistan and also India.
The Pakistani president, Pervez Musharraf, has given his backing to the United States in its drive against suspected terrorism plotter Osama bin Laden despite strong anti-U.S. sentiment in his country.
On an important front, Russian President Vladimir Putin met in Moscow with his top advisers and talked to Bush on the telephone amid the deliberations. (Read photo caption below)
PHOTO CAPTION:
Speaking from Camp David, President Bush talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday, Sept. 22, 2001. (AP Photo/The White House, Eric Draper)