March 14, 2003	Friday	Muharram 10, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 13: The foreign ministers of France, Saudi Arabia and Canada telephoned Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Wednesday and discussed with him the latest developments on the Iraqi situation.

The foreign ministers supported a peaceful solution to the Iraqi crisis in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

During the 35-minute conversation with French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, the two sides agreed on the need to take steps to create unanimity and reduce differences in the international community on the Iraq issue in the interest of multilateralism, international law and world peace, a Foreign Office statement said here on Thursday.

“The two foreign ministers reiterated their position that the problem of Iraq should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the United Nations Securi-

ty Council resolutions,” the statement said.

Mr Villepin while presenting his country’s standpoint on the Iraqi crisis supported the disarmament of Iraq in a peaceful way through inspection.

According to the statement, the two ministers also exchanged views on bilateral issues and decided to remain in touch on the Iraq situation.

SAUDI FM: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal held a lengthy telephonic conversation with Mr Kasuri. In view of fraternal bilateral relations, Mr Kasuri availed the opportunity to brief Prince Saud on the latest developments with regard to the issue of Iraq in the framework of Security Council and the efforts made by Pakistan to promote a peaceful solution of the crisis.

Mr Kasuri agreed with his Saudi counterpart on the need for a peaceful settlement of the problem to ensure unity and territorial integrity of Iraq.

CANADIAN FM: Foreign Minister of Canada Bill Graham discussed with Mr Kasuri ways and means of working towards an agreed approach in the Security Council in the interest of world peace and security.

In the last few days, the foreign minister has also received telephone calls from the foreign ministers of Russia, UK, Mexico and Bangladesh to exchange views on the latest development in the region.

“In these high-level diplomatic discussions, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has reiterated Pakistan’s belief that a peaceful solution to this crisis is still possible, and that Pakistan will continue to play its constructive role in reducing differences in the Security Council on the problems of Iraq in the interest of multila-teralism, international law and world peace,” said a foreign office announcement.