October 29, 2001	Monday	Shaba'an 11, 1422

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NEW YORK, Oct 28: In an unprecedented gesture of appreciation, US President George W. Bush is expected to host an exclusive dinner for President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Nov 10, in New York during the UN General Assembly session, well-informed sources told Dawn.

Mr Bush was expected to extend an official invitation to President Musharraf to visit Washington at a later date, the sources said.

President Musharraf is scheduled to come to New York to attend the 56th session of the United Nations General Assembly which was delayed due to the Sept 11 attacks on the United States.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan specially called President Musharraf asking him to attend the session which has gained special significance in the backdrop of the events of Sept 11 and the US war on terrorism.

Mr Bush would hold the dinner for the Pakistani leader on the same evening in which he will be hosting a traditional reception for the heads of state and governments, to underscore US gratitude for Pakistan’s steadfast support to the US war against terrorism.

The sources told Dawn that Mr Bush would attend the reception in the evening and then go to the hotel where the dinner for President Musharraf would be held.

Following the dinner, Mr Bush and Gen Pervez Musharraf would hold a joint press briefing as is done in case of state visits to Washington.

Informed sources here said that during the press briefing Mr Bush is likely to invite President Musharraf for an official visit to Washington at a later date.

Both President Musharraf and President Bush are also expected to address the UN General Assembly earlier in the day and attend the luncheon hosted by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.