Condolezza Rice Appreciates Musharraf's role in War against Terror
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

NEW YORK: Secretary of State Condolezza Rice appreciating the contribution of President General Pervez Musharraf in the war against terror has said that Pakistan has been effectively fighting to free the country from extremism and terrorism.

In an interview with the editorial board of NBC News in New York, the Secretary of State said, "He (Musharraf) is somebody who believes that Pakistan has to have a future that is free of extremism and that is moderate, and he's worked toward that goal."

Replying to a question Rice said the Pakistani leader has a number of strengths.

Dr. Rice said that President Musharraf was fighting a "fierce battle against terrorists."●