Kadirgamar meets Musharraf

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, FEB. 16. The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar, who is here on a three-day official visit, today called on the Pakistan Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, and appraised him of his country's efforts for the revival of the SAARC process.

An official statement said Gen. Musharraf lauded the Sri Lankan Minister's efforts for the revival of the process ``stalled by India'' since November 1999 and assured him support.

The Chief Executive briefed Mr. Kadirgamar on the Pakistan Government's efforts for the `resumption of dialogue' with India and resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and `aspirations' of the Kashmiri people.

Mr. Kadirgamar briefed Gen. Musharraf on the peace process in Sri Lanka. The Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Mr. Inam ul Haque, also attended the meeting.

The Sri Lankan Minister is to meet the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, and exchange views on matters of mutual interest. The focus of the meeting would obviously be Sri Lanka's efforts for the revival of the SAARC process.

The importance of Mr. Kadirgamar's visit cannot be over emphasised as Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy excellent relations. Recently, Pakistan has emerged as one of the dependable allies of Sri Lanka for supply of military hardware. Earlier this week, there were reports of Pakistan granting a $ 20-million loan to Sri Lanka for purchase of weapons.

During the day, Mr. Kadirgamar met the Pakistan Commerce Minister, Mr. Abdul Razzak Dawood, and discussed trade relations.

An official statement said that avenues of further expansion of trade could be discussed in joint ministerial commission to be held shortly. The two Ministers exchanged views on the areas of likely cooperation.

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