Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf says his government and India are both optimistic about resolving their dispute over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which both countries claim.
In an exclusive interview with the Associated Press, General Musharraf says he hopes to settle the issue with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while they are both in power. The two leaders are expected to meet next week at the United Nations General Assembly meeting. The Kashmir dispute has sparked two wars between India and Pakistan and has blocked progress on other bilateral issues. In the interview, Mr. Musharraf also expressed concern that al-Qaida leaders still exercise major influence around the world, despite counter-terrorism efforts. He said he believes there is a financial network linking terrorists in different countries, which he said must be disrupted.