LOC09:38
06:38 GMT
MUSHARRAF STARTS A FOUR-NATION TOUR
ISLAMABAD, MARCH 27 (KUNA) -- PAKISTAN'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE GENERAL PERVEZ
MUSHARRAF STARTED ON MONDAY A WEEK-LONG VISIT TO MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE,
INDONESIA AND BRUNEI IN A BID TO STRENGTHEN ITS ECONOMIC RELATIONS WITH THESE
COUNTRIES.
A FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIAL TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE MUSHARRAF WILL APPRISE
THE LEADERS OF THE PREVALENT SECURITY ENVIRONMENT IN SOUTH ASIA AND ON THE
NEED FOR AN EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE FESTERING ISSUE OF KASHMIR. HE WILL ALSO
SEEK SUPPORT OF THESE COUNTRIES FOR PAKISTAN'S FULL DIALOGUE PARTNERSHIP OF
ASEAN AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM (ARF).
HE SAID THAT MUSHARRAF'S VISIT IS IN PURSUIT OF PAKISTAN'S "LOOK EAST
POLICY" WHICH IS MEANT TO ENHANCE ITS BILATERAL, ECONOMIC, TRADE AND
INVESTMENT RELATIONS WITH THESE COUNTRIES.
IN MALAYSIA, HIS FIRST STOP, MUSHARRAF WILL HAVE TALKS WITH PRIME
MINISTER MAHATHIR MUHAMMAD AND MEET WITH MALAYSIAN INVESTORS AND BUSINESSMEN.
IN SINGAPORE HE WILL HOLD TALKS WITH PRIME MINISTER GOH CHOK TONG AND IN
INDONESIA TWO MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING ON ENHANCING BILATERAL COOPERATION
WILL BE SIGNED.
SINCE SEIZING POWER IN A MILITARY COUP IN OCTOBER, MUSHARRAF HAS VISITED
SAUDI ARABIA, THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, KUWAIT, QATAR, TURKEY, BAHRAIN, IRAN
AND CHINA. (END)
SA.BK
KUNA 270938 Mar 00NNNN