RUSSIA - Feb. 5 - Putin Meets Musharraf.

Visiting Moscow, Pakistani Pres. Gen. Pervez Musharraf meets in the afternoon with Pres. Putin. (This is the first official visit by a Pakistani president to Moscow in 33 years). Musharraf invites Putin on a return trip that would be the first ever by a Russian leader. Musharraf says he would like not just to write a new chapter in an old book but "write a new book in bilateral relations" with Moscow, after expressing a desire for improved trade and assistance in resolving the dispute in Kashmir. (Musharraf's trip represents a bold step in

co-operation between the two countries, against the backdrop of historic ties between Moscow and Delhi. India is an important trading partner and most notably one of the largest buyers of military equipment from Moscow. The official visit is being made despite Moscow's past hostility towards the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan, which was supported by Pakistan, and even recent remarks by Putin on the continued risk of Islamic radicalism within Pakistan. It highlights Putin's desire to strengthen relations with a growing number of world leaders - including the head of North Korea - and notably his efforts to boost the country's influence in Asia, during a period of international diplomacy dominated by continued stress on the fight against terrorism. Pakistan also currently holds one of the seats on the UN Security Council, at a time when Moscow has been keen to push for any decisions relating to Iraq to be carried out multilaterally and through the UN). In an unusually cautious statement reporting on the results of the negotiations between Putin and Musharraf, the Kremlin press service said Putin stressed a good basis for tighter relations with Pakistan, "without harming Russia's links with its traditional partners", a reference to India. However, Putin was also careful to stress the progress that had been made by Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, and expressed hope that a joint commission established between the two countries on the subject would soon take some "practical steps". He expressed his support for a resolution to the India-Pakistan conflict, while making reference to respect for the Simla agreement, long rejected by Pakistan, which argues that Kashmir should be settled bilaterally with India. He said his talks with Musharraf raised the possibility of seeking new ways to improving relations with India. Moscow has stressed the potential for increased trade in fields including energy, telecommunications and metallurgy. Talks have already taken place on co-operation on a pipeline linking the Central Asia to Pakistan and possibly India.