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PR. No. 226/2009
Date: 5/06/2009
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI MEETS US SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD HOLBROOKE
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, today at the Foreign Office. During the meeting, bilateral, trilateral, regional and international issues of common interest were discussed.
Ambassador Holbrooke is visiting Pakistan on the instructions of President Obama to evaluate Pakistan's needs for extending support to the people dislocated from Swat and adjoining areas.
The Foreign Minister expressed appreciation for the additional assistance of US$ 200 million announced by U.S. The U.S. earlier allocated US$ 110 million for the dislocated persons.
The Foreign Minister briefed the Special Representative about the relief operations, underlining that close to 80 per cent of the dislocated people were living off-camps. Had it not been for the generous hospitality, especially of the people of NWFP, it would have been hugely difficult to handle the requirements of over two million dislocated people. The Foreign Minister said that the people of Pakistan were fully behind the democratic Government which had been successful in evolving a national consensus against terrorism and militancy.
The Foreign Minister also stated that it was essential to win the hearts and minds of the people. In this regard, providing adequate relief assistance to the dislocated people and making arrangements for their return and rehabilitation were absolutely necessary.
The U.S. side assured of its continued support to Pakistan's efforts for providing relief and for ensuring early return as well as rehabilitation of the dislocated persons and for reconstruction.
Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation and affirmed the importance of their strategic dialogue. It was agreed to continue efforts in various forums to galvanize support and assistance for promoting development and enhancing trans-regional cooperation.
Pakistan and the U.S. also exchanged views on the status of various regional initiatives for promoting peace and security in the region and for stability in Afghanistan.
Ambassador Holbrooke's visit to Pakistan has been useful in taking Pakistan-U.S. cooperation forward.
Islamabad
05 June 2009
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