Ambassador Qazi meets Congressman Elton Gallegly

WASHINGTON, May 14 (APP)- Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi Thursday held a meeting with Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-CA), and and discussed Pakistan-U.S. bilateral relations, assistance allocations for Pakistan and non-proliferation.

The meeting was part of Ambassador Qazi's regular contact with key legislators to sensitize them to Pakistan's point of view on major issues.

The Pakistan Ambassador noted that Pakistan-U.S. relations have now been reinvigorated.

He said the two countries are partners in war on terrorism and Pakistan had extended valuable contribution to U.S. which was recognized by senior American officials.

The Congressman praised Pakistan's efforts in the war against terror.

The Pakistan envoy sought the Congressman's support for the assistanceallocations proposed by the Bush administration, which are now under consideration of the U.S. Congress.

In view of his interest in non-proliferation issues, Ambassador Ashraf Qazi briefed him on the Abdul Qadeer Khan issue. He said, as a responsible nuclear state, Pakistan had taken many steps to ensure that proliferation did not take place. He pointed out that Pakistan was cooperating with international community, including the IAEA and the United States, in this regard.

The pardon granted to A.Q. Khan, he stated, was conditional.

The Congressman appreciated Pakistan's cooperation and hoped that activities like those of A. Q. Khan would not take place in future.

Rep. Elton Gallegly is Member, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee; and Chairman of Sub-Committee on Terrorism, Non-Proliferation and Human Rights.