[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 46 (Monday, November 19, 2001)]
[Pages 1645-1646]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]
<R04>
Joint Statement for the Visit of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to
New York
November 10, 2001
President George W. Bush and President Pervez Musharraf met in New
York today and reaffirmed the strength and vitality of the bilateral
relationship between Pakistan and the United States. The two Presidents
expressed the conviction that the global coalition against terrorism is
essential for the elimination of the Taliban regime and the Al-Qaida
network and those who harbor them. President Musharraf welcomed the
clear commitments expressed by President Bush to continued active United
States engagement in Pakistan and the entire South Asian sub-continent.
President Bush and President Musharraf reaffirmed the benefits of 50
years of friendship and close cooperation between Pakistan and the
United States and recalled the pivotal role of the Pakistan-U.S.
alliance in the triumph of the free world at the end of the cold war.
They welcomed the revival of this longstanding partnership and expressed
their conviction that it would constitute a vital element in the
construction of a durable structure of peace, stability, economic growth
and enhanced prosperity at the regional and global level. They also held
wide-ranging discussions on the current anti-terrorism campaign and
exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and international issues.
President Musharraf strongly condemned the terrorist attacks of
September 11 and conveyed the sympathy and solidarity of the people and
government of Pakistan to the people and government of the United
States. President Bush recognized Pakistan's role as a front-line state
in the global campaign against terrorism and expressed gratitude for
Pakistan's vital support in the international campaign. Both leaders
agreed to continue their ongoing excellent cooperation and to pursue a
coherent and coordinated diplomatic, political, military, economic,
financial and humanitarian strategy to eliminate terrorism.
President Bush stressed that the United States and Pakistan are
friends of long-standing and that Pakistan is a great Islamic nation. He
emphasized that the United States has great respect for Islam and noted
the fast growth of the Islamic community in America. President Bush
stated that our campaign is against those who pervert a great religion
in the service of evil. President Bush and President Musharraf also
discussed means of easing the plight of the Afghan refugees. President
Bush recognized the leading role that Pakistan has played in receiving
and caring for Afghan refugees and emphasized that the United States is
the largest foreign donor of humanitarian aid. Even tonight, using our
military resources, United States planes are dropping badly needed food
supplies to the Afghan people.
The two presidents agreed that the international community will have
to provide sizeable and sustained resources for the reconstruction of
Afghanistan. They also affirmed their support for the efforts of the
United Nations, Secretary General Annan, and Special Envoy Brahimi. They
agreed that peace and stability in Afghanistan can be achieved through
the institution of a broad-based, multi-ethnic, representative
government, established through consensus among Afghans, and evolved
under the auspices of the United Nations. They also acknowledged that
Afghanistan should enjoy friendly relations with all its neighbors and
be a link between Central and South Asia, and free from the scourge of
terrorism and drugs.
President Musharraf welcomed President Bush's decision to lift a
number of sanctions
[[Page 1646]]
that allow the resumption of cooperation with Pakistan. They agreed that
the bilateral relationship is built on the shared interests and values
of the American and Pakistani peoples. President Bush welcomed the
efforts that the Pakistani citizens are making to support the coalition
against terrorism. Affirming their commitment to Pakistan's economic
stabilization and revival program, President Bush pledged to promote
economic assistance to Pakistan.
President Bush confirmed that he will extend support to enable
Pakistan to respond to the economic challenges it confronts. The two
presidents discussed ways to make good on the enormous potential for
increased trade and investment between Pakistan and the United States
and agreed to enter into extensive talks regarding economic issues.
President Bush affirmed that the United States is committed to working
with the international financial institutions to provide additional
support for Pakistan. Financial assistance, debt relief, greater trade
and investment opportunities, and sound Pakistani economic policies
should assist Pakistan in its efforts to spur sustainable economic
growth. Additionally, President Bush undertook to consider ways to
respond to Pakistan's market access expectations.
President Bush and President Musharraf discussed a broad range of
regional security issues. Both underscored the importance of Pakistan to
have a successful transition to democracy in 2002. President Bush and
President Musharraf agreed to continue and expand defense consultations.
President Bush welcomed President Musharraf's commitment to hold
elections by October 2002 and to build a stable, democratic and
prosperous Pakistan, in which the rights of all Pakistanis are fully
protected.
President Bush and President Musharraf expressed shared concern
about the threat to global stability posed by the proliferation of
ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction. They agreed on the
need for a comprehensive approach to counter these threats, including
enhanced non-proliferation measures at the global and regional level.
President Musharraf looked forward to further discussions with the
United States on these issues.
The two leaders discussed ways to promote stability in South Asia.
President Bush praised President Musharraf's recent call to Prime
Minister Vajpayee of India. President Bush and President Musharraf
agreed that India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue through
diplomacy and dialogue in mutually acceptable ways that take into
account the wishes of the people of Kashmir.
President Bush and President Musharraf resolved to work together
closely to expand bilateral and regional trade. They agreed that
launching a new global trade round in Doha is a top priority for both
nations. They confirmed their commitment to achieve open markets in
South Asia, including using the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation's (SAARC) full potential more effectively. The two leaders
agreed that the United States will continue to take steps to strengthen
Pakistan's economy. They agreed that the United States and Pakistan can
accomplish great things together and that the American and Pakistani
people look forward to building peace, stability and prosperity, both in
South Asia and around the world.
Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
this joint statement.