Pakistan's leader said Sunday he hoped to achieve progress in the peace process with India when he meets with its prime minister on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York this week. President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, accompanied by senior Cabinet ministers, departed Sunday for the United States for a five-day visit during which he also is to meet with U.S. President George W. Bush. Musharraf's meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be their first face-to-face encounter since Singh took office in May. Before departing Sunday, Musharraf said he looked forward to a "wholesome" meeting with Singh, "dealing with all issues, very much including Kashmir." "I look forward to some positive indications for progress," he told state-run Pakistan Television. Musharraf is to address the annual U.N. General Assembly session in New York on Sept. 22. According to media reports here, he will meet with the Indian leader two days later. Musharraf also said that during his visit he would like to "correct misperception" in the United States about Pakistan and promote investment.
