Posted on 10/15/2002 3:10:02 PM PDT by knighthawk
ISLAMABAD: The leader of a radical Islamic group which made major gains in parliamentary elections called for better relations with the United States on Tuesday, but insisted that Washington soften its attitude toward Pakistan's Islamic parties.
"We would like to have better ties with America, but there will be no compromise on national issues," Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, leader of a pro-Taliban conservative Islamic group, told a news conference.
He claimed to have held "very successful" coalition talks with major parties.
Even as Rehman spoke, the Pakistan government was demonstrating that despite the religious parties' gains its commitment to the US-led war on terror was unwavering.
Pakistani police backed by FBI agents arrested four men in an Afghan refugee camp. The men were suspected of close ties to Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network, police said.
In campaigning for the October 10 elections, Islamic parties promised to withdraw Pakistan's support for the United States in its war on terror.
But since they won 45 seats in the 342-member National Assembly a major improvement over their previous handful of seats the leaders of the Islamic parties have appeared more conciliatory toward the United States.
"We will be very flexible and cooperative with all inside and outside Pakistan," Rehman said.
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