Kasuri's Long Sojourn
ends with Vague Assurances from US
Special
SAT Report
WASHINGTON:
The Bush Administration promised some procedural concessions,
including an extension in the deadline for NSEERS Registration
for Pakistanis, after a high profile and extensive visit by Pakistan
Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri to Washington last week.
Kasuri,
who became the first Foreign Minister to have received almost
a presidential protocol in Washington, however did not achieve
more than these vague assurances on the unnecessarily hyped-up
registration issue.
The
loud noise raised by Pakistan on the issue almost visibly irritated
the Bush Administration and several anti-Pakistan events occurred
during the visit, raising speculation in some circles that Washington
was possibly sending a subtle message to Islamabad, while playing
host to the Foreign Minister.
Among
these events were arrests of almost 30 Pakistanis on banking and
credit card fraud charges, detention and subsequent release of
a senior journalist in the heart of Washington DC, in front of
the prestigious Brookings Institution, declaration of Lashkar
Jhangvi as a terrorist organization and statements made by senior
administration officials asking Pakistan to cut down infiltration
of terrorists into Indian held Kashmir.
Mr.
Kasuri, however, claimed on other issues, including supply of
military parts for the Pakistan Army, “instant orders were
issued by the competent authority in his presence.”
Describing
it as “very productive” Kasuri said he was able to
highlight the Kashmir issue and human rights violations by India,
the security situation in South Asia, Indian reluctance to resume
dialogue for resolution of outstanding disputes, bilateral Pak-US
economic cooperation, the widening imbalance between India and
Pakistan in conventional weaponry.
"I
found an understanding and appreciation of Pakistani position
on the need to redress the conventional defence imbalance. Apart
from the equipment being supplied by the United States to bolster
border security and campaign against suspected terrorists, I was
able to ensure immediate orders to deliver some items urgently
needed by Pakistan military for general defence," Kasuri
said without giving details.
The
FM was allowed access to almost every top leader of the Bush Administration,
including the President himself, and he raised the Registration
issue every where, something analysts said was a grave diplomatic
mistake as President Pervez Musharraf himself had announced in
Pakistan that US would not remove his country from the NSEERS
list.
But
Kasuri told reporters he received assurances from “the highest
levels” that mass or “significant” deportation
of Pakistanis would not be done. Authorities would also not detain
Pakistanis whose cases are pending with the INS, if they have
no criminal record.
Pakistani Embassy officials would be allowed to assist the community
at various INS centers on designated dates, he said.
“I found the US leadership deeply sympathetic towards Pakistan’s
concerns” Kasuri said, hoping his efforts would lead to
substantial concessions for the Pakistani community.
