US, Japan, China vow support for FoP moot

[LahoreEstate]

Sunday, March 22, 2009
WASHINGTON: The United States, China and Japan have vowed their support for next month’s Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo, where major economic powers are expected to back the South Asian country’s economic development programmes.

In their separate meetings with Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, the chief Chinese and Japanese envoys based in Washington and top US officials expressed their willingness to shore up Pakistan’s initiatives for its speedy economic progress.

The meeting, taking place on April 17 in Tokyo, would be attended by leaders and representatives from several Asian and Western industrialised and oil-rich Gulf nations.

Haqqani held meetings with the US State Department officials, Chinese ambassador to the US, Zhou Wenzhong and Japanese ambassador to US, Ichiro FUJISAKI to coordinate efforts towards a productive outcome of the conference.

In addition, the Pakistani diplomat had meetings with US Special Representative Richard Holbrooke and visiting Japanese Prime Minister’s special envoy over the last week.

The US diplomats have also been meeting separately with envoys of other countries toward the objective.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to represent Washington at the meeting, which is likely to be chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari.

The top Pakistani democratic leaders, President Zardari and Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gilani believe that international assistance will not only help meet economic development of people but also serve as a bulwark against violent extremism afflicting its border regions.

The economic stability of Pakistan, the frontline partner against violent extremism, is considered key to regional peace and stability.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=168418