February 18, 2003	Tuesday	Zul Hijjah 16, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: A four-member US Congressional delegation led by Senator John Warner is due to arrive in Islamabad on Tuesday on a day-long goodwill visit, sources close to the presidency told Dawn on Monday.

Senator John Warner of Virginia heads the Senate Armed Services Committee.

During their stay in Islamabad, the US legislators will call on President Pervez Musharraf, these sources said, adding that Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali was likely to meet them.

Against the backdrop of two crucial developments within the context of Pakistan-US relations the visit acquires special significance.

One, the Bush administration’s pressure on Pakistan to support US military action against Iraq and two, the increasing statements out of Washington claiming that main threat to US forces in Afghanistan comes from Al Qaeda and Taliban operating from Pakistan’s tribal areas.

A senior US embassy official was evasive when called for confirmation. “I can’t say anything on that due to security reasons,” was the US official’s response.

The delegation will also meet foreign minister Khursheed Ahmed Kasuri at the foreign office. This will be the first US Congressional delegation to visit Pakistan after the formation of the Jamali government.

The delegation will also be visiting Afghanistan and some Mideastern countries. Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States has said the purpose of the US senators visit is to thank countries for their support to the US-led war against terror.