Lahore, Apr. 27: United States Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte has said that if Washington has explicit proof of Osama Bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan’s border regions, it will categorically pursue him.

Negroponte said that as far as Osama bin Laden was concerned, Washington would pursue him regardless of any permission from Pakistan to conduct a military operation within its borders.

“I’m pretty confident that that’s the way the president would react,” the Daily Times quoted Negroponte, as saying.

Describing Pakistan as a very important country to the United States because of its proximity to Afghanistan and because of the warm ties enjoyed between the two countries since the post-9/11 period, Negroponte said Washington had full faith President Pervez Musharraf, but is equally aware of the prime minister’s role (Gilani) acquiring greater importance. (ANI)