ID :
13912
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 19:56
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http://m.oananews.org//node/13912
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Pak's role in war on terror to top agenda of Gilani's US visit
Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Jul 26 (PTI) Pakistan's role in the war on terror is expected to dominate the agenda when Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani undertakes his maiden visit to the U.S. later this month during which Washington is likely to push him to do moreto counter activities of militants in the restive tribal belt.
Gilani will be visiting Washington during July 27-30 at the invitation of U.S. President George W Bush. This would behis first visit to the U.S. since assuming office in March.
Gilani is scheduled to meet Bush at the White House Monday.
The meeting will be followed by a luncheon hosted in Gilani's honour by Bush. The two leaders will have a "wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral matters and regional and international issues of common interest",said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
However, analysts believe the situation in Pakistan's restive semi-autonomous tribal regions will dominate Gilani's discussions with officials of the U.S. administration. Senior U.S. officials like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have expressed concern about the situation in the tribal areas and urged Pakistan to do more to counter Taliban and al-Qaedaelements that carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office statement said the focus during Gilani's visit will be on "promoting a new partnership between the two countries on peace and prosperity". The visit is also "expected to deepen mutual understanding and further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of commoninterest".
During his stay in Washington, Gilani is scheduled to have meetings with senior members of the U.S. administration, including Rice, Secretary of Defence Robert Gates andSecretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson.
Gilani is also expected to have interactions with Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, the presumptive presidential nominees of the Republican and Democratic parties respectively. On Capitol Hill, the Prime Minister will meetmembers of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Prime Minister's programme also includes a think-tank address, a meeting with the U.S. business sector and an address to the Pakistani-American community. On July 29, Gilani will address an investors' roundtable meet on Pakistan's power sector that is being organised with the WorldBank and International Finance Corporation.
The Foreign Office statement said Pakistan and the U.S.
enjoy "close, friendly and cooperative relations". The U.S. is among Pakistan's largest trading partners and leading foreign investors. The two countries have had traditionally strongdefence and security cooperation.
In 2004, Pakistan was designated a 'Major Non-N.A.T.O.
Ally' by the U.S. During President Bush's visit to Pakistan in March 2006, the two countries affirmed their "Strategic Partnership." A Strategic Dialogue initiated since then oversees the separate tracks for cooperation in economy, energy, education,and science and technology.
Gilani will be visiting Washington during July 27-30 at the invitation of U.S. President George W Bush. This would behis first visit to the U.S. since assuming office in March.
Gilani is scheduled to meet Bush at the White House Monday.
The meeting will be followed by a luncheon hosted in Gilani's honour by Bush. The two leaders will have a "wide-ranging exchange of views on bilateral matters and regional and international issues of common interest",said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
However, analysts believe the situation in Pakistan's restive semi-autonomous tribal regions will dominate Gilani's discussions with officials of the U.S. administration. Senior U.S. officials like Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice have expressed concern about the situation in the tribal areas and urged Pakistan to do more to counter Taliban and al-Qaedaelements that carry out cross-border attacks in Afghanistan.
The Foreign Office statement said the focus during Gilani's visit will be on "promoting a new partnership between the two countries on peace and prosperity". The visit is also "expected to deepen mutual understanding and further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of commoninterest".
During his stay in Washington, Gilani is scheduled to have meetings with senior members of the U.S. administration, including Rice, Secretary of Defence Robert Gates andSecretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson.
Gilani is also expected to have interactions with Senators John McCain and Barack Obama, the presumptive presidential nominees of the Republican and Democratic parties respectively. On Capitol Hill, the Prime Minister will meetmembers of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The Prime Minister's programme also includes a think-tank address, a meeting with the U.S. business sector and an address to the Pakistani-American community. On July 29, Gilani will address an investors' roundtable meet on Pakistan's power sector that is being organised with the WorldBank and International Finance Corporation.
The Foreign Office statement said Pakistan and the U.S.
enjoy "close, friendly and cooperative relations". The U.S. is among Pakistan's largest trading partners and leading foreign investors. The two countries have had traditionally strongdefence and security cooperation.
In 2004, Pakistan was designated a 'Major Non-N.A.T.O.
Ally' by the U.S. During President Bush's visit to Pakistan in March 2006, the two countries affirmed their "Strategic Partnership." A Strategic Dialogue initiated since then oversees the separate tracks for cooperation in economy, energy, education,and science and technology.
