THE PRESIDENT’S REPLY TO THE REMARKS
OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED AMBASSADOR OF
THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN
JEHANGIR KARAMAT
UPON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF
HIS LETTER OF CREDENCE
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Mr. Ambassador,

I am pleased to accept your Letter of Credence from President Pervez Musharraf, which establishes you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and I acknowledge the Letter of recall of your distinguished predecessor, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi. Thank you for your greetings on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you into the Diplomatic Corps of Washington.

Pakistan is a stalwart ally in the War on Terrorism. After September 11, 2001, President Musharraf agreed to help the United States end the scourge to terrorism emanating from Afghanistan’s Taliban regime. He did so immediately, and bravely. Since then, we have stood shoulder to shoulder with the government of Pakistan in the struggle against extremism. Pakistan has not done this without sacrifice. Sacrifice that we acknowledge and appreciate. The steadfastness and unwavering support shown by the government and people of Pakistan have laid the groundwork for the steadily deepening and dramatic improvement in our bilateral relationship over the past three years.

I am sure this excellent relationship between our two great nations will mature and grow in the months and years ahead. I have made a commitment with President Musharraf that the United States and Pakistan should not find ourselves on opposite sides of anything as important and as threatening to civilization as the war on terrorism. The independent and bi-partisan Commission that investigated the events leading up to 9-11 has supported my assertion of our long-term commitment to Pakistan. That is a commitment I intend to keep, starting with the five-year, three billion dollar aid package which starts with this year’s budget.

Our relationship, to be truly strong, however, cannot only be about terrorism. Expanded economic and cultural relations are already important components, and I intend to see these grow further. A strong Pakistan is in the interest of the United States, and a Pakistan that is doing well economically and socially is a strong Pakistan.

I look forward to supporting the Pakistani government’s effort to re-build and strengthen its democratic institution. A fully democratic Pakistan will be a stronger Pakistan, better able to withstand the attacks on its system of government and the threats to its people posed by terrorists. A fully democratic Pakistan will ensure that the rights of its people are upheld and supported through strong institutions such as the judiciary, the media, and civil society. The United States will help where we can, but the future of Pakistan belongs to the Pakistani people.

I hope that the improvement in our relationship will foreshadow an improvement in Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors. Decisions and actions taken by President Musharraf have already contributed to calming the situation in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban. Now Afghanistan has had its first free election in many decades. This would not have been possible without Pakistan’s steadfast support. On Pakistan’s eastern border, we are also witnessing productive on-going talks with neighboring India. I applaud the leaders of both countries for the courage they have shown in advancing their bilateral dialogue over the past year and a half. Round two of this “Composite Dialogue” promises to further the work of tearing down the wall of suspicion between Pakistan and India. The United States welcomes these talks in the earnest hope that they will bear fruit, and long-standing tensions will continue to ease. The United Stats wishes you godspeed in your journey on the road to peace in the subcontinent, and stands ready to support this process.

Once again, Mr. Ambassador, I welcome you to Washington. We are honored to have someone so trusted by President Musharraf as yourself. I extend to you my best wishes for a long and successful tour as Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the United States of America.