Talbott Commends Kasuri
for Imaginatively Capitalizing on Opportunities
By Shaheen Chaudhri
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
greets Pakistan Minister of
Foreign Affairs Kurshid Mahmood Kasuri in Washington |
Washington,
DC: Last week, the Pakistani Minister for Foreign Affairs
Mr. Khurshid M. Kasuri made a two-day visit to Washington,
DC. During his short stay, the Foreign Minister met with
the Pakistani Congressional Caucus, various Administration
officials including President. Bush himself, and delivered
a lecture at The Brookings Institution. He concluded his
stay with an address to the Pakistani community at the Embassy
of Pakistan.
On Thursday, June 9th , Mr. Kasuri addressed the Pakistan
Caucus, the first meeting of his visit to Washington, DC.
Mr. Faiz Rehman, executive director of the Pakistani-American
Liaison Center, welcomed all the attendees and introduced
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee from the 18th Congressional
District of Texas, co-chair of the Pakistan Caucus. Congresswoman
Lee commended the Foreign Minister for his worldly understanding
of law, his keen understanding of US issues, and his unique
grasp of President Musharraf’s vision for Pakistan.
Later that day, Mr. Kasuri spoke on the US-Pakistani relationship
in his address to the Leadership Forum at The Brookings
Institution. Mr. Strobe Talbott, President of The Brookings
Institution, highlighted the constructive manner in which
the foreign minister has met the challenges facing Pakistan.
He continued by commending the Foreign Minister for “the
way he has imaginatively capitalized on the opportunities.”
He praised Mr. Kasuri for approaching India at times when
it was politically unfavorable to do so. Furthermore, he
expressed confidence in Pakistan’s emerging role as
a member of the “strategic quadrangle,” comprised
of the United States, Pakistan, India, and China.
Mr. Kasuri discussed a number of policies and new directions
his country has taken. He expounded greatly on the steps
Pakistan is prepared to take in hopes of improving the relationship
between the Muslim world and the West. Mr. Kasuri proclaimed:
“The clash of civilizations as some people are predicting
is not the future of mankind.” In order to ensure
a dialogue of civilizations, Mr. Kasuri highlighted President
Musharraf’s policy of “enlightened moderation”
aimed at alleviating the root causes of discord between
the West and the Islamic World. Enlightened moderation calls
upon Muslim nations to pursue internal reformation. This
necessitates shunning fundamentalism and militancy through
reforms in education and gender-equality, thus adopting
“the path of socio-economic uplift and human resource
development.” In addition to this, enlightened moderation
calls upon the West to contribute to resolving outstanding
disputes in the Muslim world and assist Muslim nations in
economic development.
For the Islamic world, reconsidering the role of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference would be an ideal first step towards
realizing enlightened moderation. Strengthening the OIC
Secretariat and establishing departments to examine gender
roles, science and technology, and education would allow
the Muslim world to better project Islam’s true values.
A department in charge solely of Media Affairs would act
as a vehicle by which OIC activities and views could be
conveyed to the entire world.
On the subject of Pakistan’s economy, the Foreign
Minister was pleased to announce a “dramatic turn
around.” With 8.4% GDP growth this fiscal year, Pakistan
is the second fastest growing economy in Asia, second only
to China. Mr. Kasuri drew attention to the favorable US
response to Pakistan’s poverty reduction and education
reform efforts, citing a $600 million US annual assistance
package as a valuable supplement to the Pakistani government’s
efforts.
The future of Indo-Pak relations will revolve upon resolving
the region’s outstanding disputes. On the issue of
Jammu and Kashmir, the Foreign Minister stated: “A
promising start has been made. People to people contacts
have improved. Economic and cultural exchanges increased.”
He continued by remarking, “The commencement of Muzzaffarabad-Sringar
Bus Service is a win-win situation for all the parties involved,
especially the Kashmiris themselves who have long suffered
deprivations.” Mr. Kasuri reiterated the Pakistani
Government’s position that the Kashmiris must be involved
in the peace process if a lasting peace is to be achieved.
This stance is one of both pragmatism, as well as principle.
The Foreign Minister wrapped up his visit with his address
to the Embassy of Pakistan on Friday, June 10. Epressing
regret for a short stay, he highlighted the visit’s
successes despite a “fairly packed program.”
He believed much had been accomplished. He cited meetings
with President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
National Security Advisor Stephen Hadlay, and various senators
including Senator Chuck Hagel from Nebraska, Senator Warner
from Virginia, and Senator Lugar from Indiana, as testimony
to the visit’s success.
In his meetings with the Administration, Mr. Kasuri discussed
a number of issues. The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation
for Washington’s continued support for Pakistan while
President Bush made clear his concern for Pakistan’s
security needs. Understanding the threat of hardliner backlash
Pakistan faces in the ongoing peace process with India,
President Bush lauded President Musharraf’s vision
and courage. In his meeting with National Security Advisor
Stephen Hadley, Mr. Kasuri expressed his concern on the
reports of the desecration of the Holy Qur’an at Guantanamo
Bay. In doing so, he requested an investigation into these
occurrences, and hoped those responsible would be held accountable.
Amongst the issues covered, Mr. Hadlay and Mr. Kasuri discussed
establishing sustainable democracy in Pakistan, as well
as the Pakistani Government’s ongoing cooperation
in the global war on terror. On the last day of his visit,
Mr. Kasuri called on Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza
Rice, and briefed her on several issues including Pak-India
relations and Pakistan’s hope for trilateral talks
in resolving the Kashmir dispute. Dr. Rice was pleased with
the confidence-building measures both parties are taking,
as well as their overarching goal of establishing long-term
regional security. Meeting with Deputy Secretary of State
Robert B. Zoellick, Mr. Kasuri presented an overview on
Pakistan’s economic progress, and expounded on the
free trade agreement and bilateral investment treaty currently
under consideration by both parties. Mr. Zoellick stressed
the need for continued economic reforms if Pakistan is to
secure sustainable economic growth.
At the embassy, Foreign Minister Kasuri spoke of plans to
construct gas pipelines to assist Pakistan in meeting its
growing energy needs. The current pipelines under consideration
would also act as significant confidence-building measures
for regional relations. On this matter, the Foreign Minister
referred specifically to the Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline
and the Qatar-Pakistan-India pipeline. A third project in
the sector entails a third pipeline emanating from Turkmenistan
and terminating in Pakistan. It would greatly assist Pakistan
in meeting its energy needs. In addition to these projects,
the Foreign Minister expressed optimism towards future energy-oriented
agreements with Central Asian countries
Foreign Minister Kasuri stated that the United States and
Pakistan friendship is highly valued by both parties. Not
only is Pakistan serving as a partner in the war on global
terror, but it also shares a thriving trade relationship
with the United States. As Pakistan’s largest trading
partner, exports to the United States constitute $3 billion
while imports are valued at $1.3 billion. In addition to
a thriving import-export relationship, US investment in
Pakistan has increased, a testament to the government’s
commitment to providing a secure, business-friendly environment.
This endeavor would be assisted, Mr. Kasuri remarked, “through
a level playing field.” Currently pursuing a bilateral
investment treaty with the United States, Foreign Minister
Kasuri explained Pakistan is pursuing a multidimensional
approach to economic reform. This approach will hopefully
pave the way for a South Asia Free Trade Area with the potential
to benefit the entire region. He stressed the fact that
Pakistan is interested solely in “trade, not aid.”
His government would continue its pursuit of a level playing
field, and “no special favors.”
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