Haqqani meets Musharraf in Washington

[LahoreEstate]

Saturday, January 31, 2009

By our correspondent

WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani attended a reception on Thursday in honour of former president Pervez Musharraf in Washington hosted by the Middle East Institute headed by ex-US ambassador to Pakistan Wendy Chamberlain.

Only a few Pakistanis were invited to the reception where no speeches were delivered but the guests talked to the former president in small groups.Ambassador Haqqani on Friday confirmed to The News that he attended the reception and shook hands with him but said it was an invitation by the Middle East Institute and it was normal for diplomats to attend such events.

Musharraf, according to sources, met former vice president Dick Cheney on arrival here two days ago. He was also invited to a number of lunches and dinners by his friends, including Dr Pervez Shah, a Pakistani activist, who recently visited Pakistan and met Nawaz Sharif.

Dr Nasim Ashraf, the former chairman of the PCB, was also present and according to one participant was acting as the chief of staff of Musharraf. Another Pakistani was Dr Nisar Choudhry of Maryland.

Others who attended the reception at the Middle East Institute included Ambassador at Large Riffat Mahmood, Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, former State Department officials Robin Rafael, Daniel Markey of the Council of Foreign Relations, several defence department officials, Asian expert Steve Cohen, Marvin Weinbaum, besides others. There were some 40 guests in all.

Musharraf was given full protocol and security by the US and came to the reception under tight security equivalent almost to visiting heads of state or government. All participants were searched and checked before allowed in.Sources said Musharraf will leave for Pakistan from New York on Saturday, Jan 31.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=19997