US reviewing aid to Pak: Defence Secy Gates

BEIJING: Terming the imposition of emergency in Pakistan as 'disturbing', American Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Monday that the US was reviewing all its assistance programmes to Islamabad and urged President Pervez Musharraf to restore democratic rule.
    
"The actions of the past 72 hours have been disturbing. We urge President Musharraf to return his country to law-based, constitutional and democratic rule as soon as possible," Gates said in remarks after he had talks with his Chinese counterpart Cao Gangchuan here.
    
The American Defence Secretary's assertions follow similar comments by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Jerusalem on Sunday.
    
Gates said Washington was 'closely' watching the situation in Pakistan which was a country of 'great strategic importance' to the US and a key partner in the war on terror.
    
"We are reviewing all of our assistance programmes, although we are mindful not to do anything that would undermine on-going counter-terrorism efforts," Gates, who began his six-day Asian tour here on Saturday night, said.
    
He said "because of the fluid and sensitive nature of the situation, I will have nothing further to say on this topic at this time".
    
During the talks, China and the US decided to establish direct military hotline between the Pentagon and Chinese Defence Ministry and to deepen military-to-military dialogue.
    
Gates is scheduled to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao on Tuesday before leaving for South Korea and Japan.