Washington: The US has insisted that there is no "deviation" in Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf commitment to step down as Army Chief by the end of this year.

"We have no cause to believe, based on what has been said and done in the last several days, that there is any deviation from that commitment," State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli said yesterday (Sep 18, 2004) reacting to Musharraf's interview to a US daily, where he indicated that he may renege on his commitment.

Musharraf told the 'Washington Post' that a "the vast majority" of his countrymen want him in uniform as they fear that he would be weakened without it.

He said the conditions in the country have changed since he promised in a nationwide televised address last December to leave the Army.

When queried about the General's statement, Ereli said, "I don't know if that's a new quote or an old quote. Our information is that there is nothing -- there has been no new developments on this issue since yesterday when a Government spokesman retracted statements to the effect that President Musharraf had decided not to leave the military uniform."

"Our understanding is that President Musharraf's decision on his military future has not been taken," he said.

The spokesman said the US' position "hasn't changed" on the issue and if it comes up during Musharraf's visit to the US next week, Washington will "reiterate" its views.