Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri meets with US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice

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Washington, D.C. June 10, 2005: On the second and final day of his visit to Washington Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Foreign Minister of Pakistan met US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleeza Rice. Secretary Rice expressed happiness over the existing strong relations between Pakistan and the United States. They discussed cooperation in political, economic, defense and other areas. Foreign Minister Kasuri underscored the need for US support in these areas.

Foreign Minister Kasuri briefed Secretary Rice on the latest developments in Pak-India relations including the visit of APHC delegation to Pakistan. Secretary Rice highly appreciated the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and considered it vital for the overall security in the region. The two hoped that an amicable solution would be found for the Kashmir dispute in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

The Foreign Minister Kasuri also met with Robert B. Zoellick, Deputy Secretary of State. They discussed the issues of preferential market access for the Pakistani textile exports to the US, the progress on the free trade agreement and the bilateral investment treaty between the two countries. The Foreign Minister briefed Zoellick about the economic turn around in the country during the last 3 years. The economic growth rate of 8.4 percent achieved by Pakistan is one of the highest in Asia. Zoellick appreciated the economic reforms introduced by Pakistan Government and underlined the need for the consistency and continuity of these policies for a more sustainable economic growth in the country.

The Foreign Minister met with Senator Dianne Feinstein, a high profile Democrat from California who serves on several important Senate Committees including the Select Intelligence Committee and the Appropriations Committee. The Foreign Minister briefed Senator Feinstein on regional issues and Pakistan-US bilateral relations. Senator Feinstein thanked Pakistan for its important help in the war on terror and “the terrible situation that we are all in.” She specifically praised President Musharraf for his wise decision to eliminate Al Qaeda and the terrorists.

The Foreign Minister also briefed Senator Feinstein on the determination of the Government to combat proliferation in an effective manner and he highlighted the firm command and control systems in place on Pakistan’s strategic assets.

The Foreign Minister met with Senator Chuck Hagel and briefed him on the latest developments in Pakistan-India bilateral relations, Afghanistan and apprised him of Pakistan’s position on Pakistan-US relations. Senator Hagel is a leading Republican who serves on several important Senate Committees including Select Intelligence Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee. The Senator stated that he was a firm supporter of strong Pakistan-US ties.

He stressed his commitment to establish broad based Pakistan-US relations, underscoring that Islamabad-Washington ties “were based on much more than just security issues” and that the two countries were “connected by far more than that.” He reiterated his strong desire to strengthen in particular commercial and trade relations. The Foreign Minister highlighted the important and positive developments in Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan and also outlined the challenges that lay ahead. The Foreign Minister also discussed defense relations. Senator Hagel expressed his support for Pakistan.

Both Senator Feinstein and Senator Hagel appear regularly on national TV and are known for their influential views for foreign policy.

The Foreign Minister was also interviewed by BBC TV/Radio VOA, the Washington Post and Time Magazine.