The Hindu : International : Powell a friend of Pakistan, says Kasuri

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2004

International

International

Powell a friend of Pakistan, says Kasuri

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, NOV. 16 . The Pakistan Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri, has described the outgoing U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, as a friend of Pakistan and said that his resignation would not affect bilateral relations.

In an informal talk with journalists here, Mr. Kasuri said that Pakistan was a close ally of the U.S. and would continue its friendship with Gen. Powell.

Gen. Powell's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties could not be forgotten. "The relationship of both countries is based on mutual interests and respect. The resignation of Powell would have no effect on the relations."

He hoped Gen. Powell's successor would strengthen the good relations. Gen. Powell was seen by Pakistan as a bridge to the Bush Administration and an "admirer" of the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf. It was in response to Gen. Powell's phone call after September 11, 2001 that Pakistan agreed to abandon the Taliban and join the U.S.-led coalition against international terrorism.

`Fair-minded statesman'

The Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman, Masood Khan, said: "He was a great friend of Pakistan. Under his watch, the Pakistan-U.S. relationship saw higher levels of cooperation and understanding."

"The Secretary took keen interest in engagement of dialogue between India and Pakistan. He helped defuse a few crises. In this part of the world, he would be remembered as a wise, humane fair-minded statesman," he said.

Mr. Khan said Gen. Powell would be missed in Pakistan as he had a close personal relationship with Gen. Musharraf which came in handy in shaping U.S.-Pakistan relations during the war on terror.

"The Secretary had a close rapport with the Pakistani leadership, specially with President Musharraf, which helped to facilitate matters," Mr. Khan said.

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