Foreign Minister Visits Washington DC

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri spent a busy day in Washington DC. After arriving from New York he chaired the investiture ceremony of awarding the Hilal-e-Pakistan to Senator Sam Brownback (Republican from Kansas) followed by a luncheon at the Pakistan Embassy. The event was well attended by senior serving and retired members of the US government, Pakistani American community, mainstream US and Pakistani print and electronic media and officials of the Embassy.

Later in the afternoon the Minister met with the Vice President of the US Mr. Richard Cheney, Deputy Secretary of State Mr. Richard Armitage, Senator Lincoln Chaffee, Chair Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Subcommittee of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Senator Richard Shelby, Member Foreign Operations Subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The basic purpose of the visit was to continue high-level bilateral interaction with the US and prepare the groundwork for the President's upcoming visit in June this year.

In his meetings with his US interlocutors bilateral relations with the US, India and Afghanistan were the main topics of discussion. The Minister briefed them on the latest developments in the region, the President of Pakistan.s upcoming visit to the US, Pakistan.s position on the situation in Iraq and its commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the Iraqi people and the dynamics of domestic political issues in Pakistan. The Minister.s interlocutors were appreciative of Pakistan.s unstinting support in Operation Enduring Freedom and emphasized that the US was interested in having a predictable long-term relationship with Pakistan. The US officials were encouraged by the latest thaw in Indo-Pakistan relations and optimistic that rapprochement between the two neighbors would ultimately lead to a structured and sustained dialogue process in South Asia. The Minister's discussions were underscored by the pledge from his interlocutors that the US is committed to fostering a robust bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that Pakistan sought a settlement with dignity and honor for the Kashmiri people, which would lead to peace in the region through a continual, sustained and composite dialogue process with India. Mr. Kasuri also reiterated the commitment of the Government of Pakistan.s vision of developing a modern, moderate, liberal, dynamic, 21st century State which would be an exemplar for the Muslim world.

The Foreign Minister was accompanied by, in all his meetings, Pakistan.s Ambassador to the US, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi.

Washington, DC
May 14, 2003

Foreign Minister Visits Washington DC

The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri's second day in Washington DC commenced with a breakfast meeting with correspondents of the Los Angeles Times (Washington DC Bureau) discussing Pakistan.s bilateral relations with the United States and active cooperation in Operation Enduring Freedom. This was followed by a live interview on C-SPAN.s .Washington Journal. program which is viewed by 81 million households in the US and millions more abroad.

After these initial media engagements the Minister met with Senator Pat Roberts, Chair, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Congressman Jim Leach, Chair of Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee of the House International Relations Committee, National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice followed by a media availability outside the West Wing of the White House and meeting with Congressman Eni F. H. Faleomavaega, Ranking Member, Asia and the Pacific Sub Committee of the House International Relations Committee.

In his meetings with his US interlocutors, Pakistan.s commitment to, sacrifices made and overall performance in Enduring Freedom Operation was greatly appreciated. The Minister reiterated Pakistan.s commitment to a sustained and structured dialogue with India while emphasizing the principled stand of resolving the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He also called for continued US engagement in the region and reiterated Pakistan.s call for joint international monitoring of the Line of Control. The Minister.s interlocutors emphasized that US-Pakistan relationship was clearly increasing in importance and complimented the fact that the recent mutual calls for dialogue by Pakistani and Indian leadership was symbolic of normalcy returning to South Asia. The other issues that came up for discussion included moving Pakistan-US relations on a permanent basis characterized by shared values and appreciation for Pakistan.s role in supporting the government of President Hamid Karzai in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed Pakistan.s strategic decision to move towards a moderate, modern, progressive Islamic polity.

The other engagements of the Minister in the afternoon included a live interview on CNNI (CNN International) and a speaking engagement at the Heritage Foundation which was covered by mainstream US and Pakistani print, wire services and electronic media. The Minister spoke about the need for economic development to eradicate poverty which was at the root of many problems facing the country. He also referred to President Musharraf.s concept of enlightened moderation in developing Pakistan.s body politic as well as the need for a multilateralist approach for conflict resolution in South Asia and the region while calling for a greater UN role in Iraq.s post-war reconstruction.

The last engagement of the day included a media availability event with Pakistani and Pakistani-American media at the Chancery, interview with Awaz Community TV (watched in the greater Metropolitan Area of Washington DC), and participation at a reception for the American Committees on Foreign Relations (the umbrella group of all US Committees on Foreign Relations) at the Chancery.

Pakistan.s Ambassador to Washington DC, Mr. Ashraf Jehangir Qazi accompanied the Minister in all his official and media engagements.

Washington, DC
May 15, 2003