Kofi Annan visit likely in March

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 25. The United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, is expected here in the second week of March as part of his visit to South Asia.

The English daily from Pakistan, The News, while reporting about his possible visit has sought to give an impression that the visit would give an impetus to the efforts to resume the stalled dialogue between India and Pakistan.

However, officials connected with the United Nations here maintained that the visit would be general in nature.

Asked about the claim made by the daily that Kashmir would be the focus of his discussions in Islamabad and New Delhi, the U.N. officials said, ``it could figure in the course of the discussions, but it would certainly not be the focus of the visit''.

Besides India and Pakistan, the U.N. Secretary General is likely to visit Bangladesh.

The visit of Mr. Annan to the sub- continent is long overdue.

In fact, immediately on his return from the U.N. Millennium Session in September last, the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, had announced that Mr. Annan had informed him about his proposed visit.

In Islamabad, Mr. Annan is expected to meet Mr. Musharraf and the Pakistan President, Mr. Rafiq Tarar.

Likewise, in New Delhi he is expected to meet the President, Mr. K.R. Narayanan and the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee.

The paper has said that Afghanistan would be another major area of discussion between Mr. Annan and the Pakistan establishment.

The U.N. has been concerned about the situation there in view of the continuing fighting and the worst drought in the last three decades.

The U.N. Secretary General was not happy over the recent fresh sanctions imposed against the Taliban regime.

In the perception of various bodies functioning in Afghanistan under the aegis of the U.N., the sanctions have hurt not only the people but also the rulers of Afghanistan.

Besides, the sanctions have derailed the peace process initiated by the U.N.

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Section  : International
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