For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 10, 2001
Joint Statement for the Visit of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to New York
President George W. Bush and President Pervez Musharraf met in New
York today and reaffirmed the strength and vitality of the bilateral
relationship between Pakistan and the United States. The two
Presidents expressed the conviction that the global coalition against
terrorism is essential for the elimination of the Taliban regime and
the Al-Qaida network and those who harbor them. President Musharraf
welcomed the clear commitments expressed by President Bush to continued
active United States engagement in Pakistan and the entire South Asian
sub-continent.
President Bush and President Musharraf reaffirmed the benefits of
50 years of friendship and close cooperation between Pakistan and the
United States and recalled the pivotal role of the Pakistan-U.S.
alliance in the triumph of the free world at the end of the cold
war. They welcomed the revival of this longstanding
partnership and expressed their conviction that it would constitute a
vital element in the construction of a durable structure of peace,
stability, economic growth and enhanced prosperity at the regional and
global level. They also held wide-ranging discussions on the current
anti-terrorism campaign and exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and
international issues.
President Musharraf strongly condemned the terrorist attacks of
September 11 and conveyed the sympathy and solidarity of the people and
government of Pakistan to the people and government of the United
States. President Bush recognized Pakistan's role as a front-line
state in the global campaign against terrorism and expressed gratitude
for Pakistan's vital support in the international
campaign. Both leaders agreed to continue their ongoing
excellent cooperation and to pursue a coherent and coordinated
diplomatic, political, military, economic, financial and humanitarian
strategy to eliminate terrorism.
President Bush stressed that the United States and Pakistan are
friends of long-standing and that Pakistan is a great Islamic nation.
He emphasized that the United States has great respect for Islam and
noted the fast growth of the Islamic community in
America. President Bush stated that our campaign is against
those who pervert a great religion in the service of
evil. President Bush and President Musharraf also discussed
means of easing the plight of the Afghan refugees. President
Bush recognized the leading role that Pakistan has played in receiving
and caring for Afghan refugees and emphasized that the United States is
the largest foreign donor of humanitarian aid. Even tonight,
using our military resources, United States planes are dropping badly
needed food supplies to the Afghan people.
The two presidents agreed that the international community will
have to provide sizeable and sustained resources for the reconstruction
of Afghanistan. They also affirmed their support for the
efforts of the United Nations, Secretary General Annan, and Special
Envoy Brahimi. They agreed that peace and stability in
Afghanistan can be achieved through the institution of a broad-based,
multi-ethnic, representative government, established through consensus
among Afghans, and evolved under the auspices of the United Nations.
They also acknowledged that Afghanistan should enjoy friendly relations
with all its neighbors and be a link between Central and South Asia,
and free from the scourge of terrorism and drugs.
President Musharraf welcomed President Bush's decision to lift a
number of sanctions that allow the resumption of cooperation with
Pakistan. They agreed that the bilateral relationship is built on the
shared interests and values of the American and Pakistani peoples.
President Bush welcomed the efforts that the Pakistani citizens are
making to support the coalition against terrorism. Affirming their
commitment to Pakistan's economic stabilization and revival program,
President Bush pledged to promote economic assistance to Pakistan.
President Bush confirmed that he will extend support to enable
Pakistan to respond to the economic challenges it confronts. The two
presidents discussed ways to make good on the enormous potential for
increased trade and investment between Pakistan and the United States
and agreed to enter into extensive talks regarding economic
issues. President Bush affirmed that the United States is
committed to working with the international financial institutions to
provide additional support for Pakistan. Financial
assistance, debt relief, greater trade and investment opportunities,
and sound Pakistani economic policies should assist Pakistan in its
efforts to spur sustainable economic growth. Additionally, President
Bush undertook to consider ways to respond to Pakistan's market access
expectations.
President Bush and President Musharraf discussed a broad range of
regional security issues. Both underscored the importance of
Pakistan to have a successful transition to democracy in 2002.
President Bush and President Musharraf agreed to continue and expand
defense consultations. President Bush welcomed President Musharraf's
commitment to hold elections by October 2002 and to build a stable,
democratic and prosperous Pakistan, in which the rights of all
Pakistanis are fully protected.
President Bush and President Musharraf expressed shared concern
about the threat to global stability posed by the proliferation of
ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. They agreed on the
need for a comprehensive approach to counter these threats, including
enhanced non-proliferation measures at the global and regional
level. President Musharraf looked forward to further
discussions with the United States on these issues.
The two leaders discussed ways to promote stability in South Asia.
President Bush praised President Musharraf's recent call to Prime
Minister Vajpayee of India. President Bush and President Musharraf
agreed that India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue through
diplomacy and dialogue in mutually acceptable ways that take into
account the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
President Bush and President Musharraf resolved to work together
closely to expand bilateral and regional trade. They agreed
that launching
a new global trade round in Doha is a top priority for both
nations. They confirmed their commitment to achieve open markets in
South Asia, including using the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation 's (SAARC) full
potential more effectively. The two leaders agreed that the United
States will continue to take steps to strengthen Pakistan's
economy. They agreed
that the United States and Pakistan can accomplish great things
together and that the American and Pakistani people look forward to
building peace,
stability and prosperity, both in South Asia and around the world.
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