US, China and Japan pledge support for Friends of Pakistan moot

WASHINGTON
(March 22 2009)

The United States, China and Japan have vowed their support for next months Friends of Pakistan meeting in Tokyo, where major economic powers are expected to back the South Asian countrys economic development programmes.

In their separate meetings with Pakistans 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 Pakistans 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 US Zhou Wenzhong and Japanese Ambassador to US Ichiro Fujisaki to co-ordinate 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 Ministers 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.

Top Pakistani democratic leaders, President Zardari and Prime Minister Yusaf Raza Gilani believe that international assistance will not only help meet economic development of the 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.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2009