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Dialogue must for durable peace, says Kasuri

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD Nov. 25. The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, told the U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, that durable peace could be ensured in south Asia by initiating a composite dialogue between Pakistan and India so that all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, could be addressed.

Mr. Kasuri made the observation when Gen. Powell telephoned him on the India-centric confidence building measures proposed by Pakistan. An official statement said Gen. Powell welcomed the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali's announcement on the ceasefire along the LoC and India's positive response.

Gen. Powell appreciated Pakistan's steps in promoting the confidence building measures with its neighbour. Mr. Kasuri, on his part, apprised Gen. Powell the recent development in relations between Pakistan and India.

Gen. Powell said the development provided a good opportunity for a meaningful dialogue on all issues, including Kashmir.

In a related development, six Pakistani Envoys from select countries, called on the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, and held discussions on foreign policy related issues.

The envoys were summoned for a year-end review of the country's foreign policy. Gen. Musharraf outlined Pakistan's priorities in the internal and external affairs and urged the envoys to project the country's policies on the regional peace and security, combating extremism and terrorism, Pakistan's economic development and strengthening of national institutions.

The envoys were Riaz Mohammad Khan (China), Ashraf Jehangir Qazi (U.S.), Maliha Lodhi (U.K.), Ali Sarwar Naqvi (Austria), Munir Akram (Permanent Representative to the U.N., New York), and Shaukat Umar (Permanent Representative to the U.N., Geneva).

Mr. Kasuri and the Foreign Secretary, Riaz Khokhar, were present during the meeting.

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