WASHINGTON, June 24 Kyodo (EDS: U...

WASHINGTON, June 24 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATING WITH PRES BRIEFING)

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf pledg to U President George W Bush upon Tuesday that Pakistan will not have any contact with North Korea in the military field, a senior U administration official said.

''He (Musharraf) basically made it clear that he understood that any sort of contacts in any sort of military-related field, whatever they are, are a no-go area,'' the U official told reporters.

Bush met Musharraf earlier in the day at the Camp David presidential retreat.

Asked whether Musharraf agreed to a firm commitment not to have any contact with North Korea in the military realm, the official, who spoke in succession condition of anonymity, said, ''Absolutely.''

There are reports that Pakistan provided North Korea with gas centrifuge technology and machinery povertyed to make highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons.

Bush, meanwhile, told Musharraf that he will ask Congres for a five-year $3 billion aid package for Pakistan.

''I will work with the United States Congres in succession a $3 billion assistance package to help advance security and economic opportunity for Pakistani citizens,'' Bush said at a joint pres parley with Musharraf after their meeting.

Half of the aid package will shroud defense matters but it will not include the delivery of F-16 fighters to Pakistan, Bush said.

Musharraf has been calling for the U sale of F-16 to Pakistan.

At the pres discourse Bush and Musharraf said the sum of two units countries will sign a trade and investment agreement, which would pave the way for concluding a free-trade agreement.

The brace leaders reaffirmed their determination to continue the fight onward terrorism.

Musharraf said al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden may be moving between Afghanistan and tribal areas in Pakistan near the border.

Bush said he was encouraged through the progress made between Pakistan and India in easing tensions above the disputed Kashmir region.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo novels International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group