January 18, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1423

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NEW YORK, Jan 17: The United States’ State Department on Thursday dismissed the impression that the new registration regulations were directed against any religion including Islam, and asserted that in the backdrop of the events of Sept 11, ‘we have to secure our borders against people who wish to harm us’.

Spokesman Philip Reeker conceded that ‘Pakistan and Pakistanis in general have been extremely supportive of United States efforts against terrorism’ and held out an assurance that as the process of registration was streamlined and structured it would be made easier for lawful visitors and immigrants to come in and out of the United States in the future.

At a press briefing in New York, Reeker said the registration process was not Muslim-countries specific. “Eventually, we will have structures in place for every one from all countries of the world to register,” he said.

In reply to a question that whether the new United States policy was to eliminate Muslims, reeker said: “Absolutely not.” It was an ‘easy excuse’ for those who wished us harm, he added.

“We have to tighten our borders and strengthen our security, and we will still have open doors for people coming here for legitimate purposes,” said Reeker.

“But we have to make sure that those applying to come here will live lawfully and peacefully,” he added.