Bin Laden is alive - reports

2004-12-04 09:35

Buenos Aires - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Friday was quoted as saying that al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden was alive.

The statement came in an interview published by La Nacion newspaper after the Pakistani leader had concluded his 48-hour visit to Argentina.

"Based on interrogations of other members of al-Qaeda, I know he is alive," the Spanish-language paper quoted Musharraf as saying.

But Musharraf said he did not know where bin Laden was hiding.

Musharraf and United States President George W Bush were scheduled to meet at the White House early on Saturday and hold a brief joint public appearance before Musharraf was to sit down separately with outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell.

Bush's agenda is likely to cover US-Pakistan trade and overall relations, the hunt for al-Qaeda and Taliban members operating along Pakistan's border with Afghanistan, as well as US hopes for democratic reforms in Pakistan.

The Pakistani president said his country had made great strides in combating terrorism.

He said that Pakistan and India, two regional foes armed with nuclear weapons, were going through "a process of rapprochement."

"We are seeking peaceful coexistence with India through confidence-building measures and resolution of all the disputes," he said, but warned: "We are not going to achieve peace using only one hand." - AFP

- SAPA