Musharraf begins S.E. Asia tour

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE, MARCH 27. The Pakistani Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, arrived in Kuala Lumpur this evening, signalling the start of what is being seen in South-East Asia as a business-like tour of several countries in the region. Gen. Musharraf was received at the airport by the Malaysian Foreign Minister, Mr. Hamid Albar, who clarified earlier that Pakistan's military ruler had himself taken the initiative in asking for this visit.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, will host a dinner for Gen. Musharraf tomorrow and hold talks with him. At another level a chamber of commerce and industry will hold a luncheon meeting with the Pakistani leader tomorrow.While these engagements are of bilateral significance, Malaysia is expected to play a concomitant role on behalf of the multilateral Commonwealth. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, which is seized of the question of Pakistan's post- coup place in the organisation, will call on Gen. Musharraf tomorrow to ascertain his plans for the restoration of civilian rule.

Gen. Musharraf will leave for Singapore on March 29 and travel to Indonesia and Brunei later.

Malaysian officials said the visit should be seen in the overall context of the traditional friendly ties between Kuala Lumpur and Islamabad despite Dr. Mahathir's opposition to the overthrow of an elected government by the military forces in any country.

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Section  : International
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