    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 10, 2001]
    [Pages 1384-1385]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1384]]

    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 that allow the resumption of cooperation with
    Pakistan. They agreed that the

    [[Page 1385]]

    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.