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| 16 May 2004 | Sunday | 25 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 |
Contributing countries be given more say: Kasuri - Peacekeeping missions
ISLAMABAD, May 15: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri on Saturday said Pakistan would propose to the United Nations Security Council to give greater weightage in decision making about peacekeeping missions to countries contributing men and finances.
"As president of UNSC, we have decided to raise the issue of peacekeeping operations and suggest that those countries contributing peacekeepers and finances for the purpose be given greater say," he said while talking to APP here before departing for the United States.
Mr Kasuri will preside over a meeting of the UN Security Council on May 17. Pakistan is currently president of the Security Council. He will speak on the role of UN peacekeeping operations.
Mr Kasuri will highlight Pakistan's contribution as one of the oldest, largest and most consistent contributor of the UN peacekeeping operations.
Presently over 7,500 Pakistani troops serving in eight peacekeeping missions. Pakistan has served since 1960 in 28 UN missions.
Pakistan is the largest contributor to peacekeeping operations and during his last visit to Islamabad, Secretary-Genera Kofi Annan said: "I salute this record of global idealism because I believe it reflects a determination among the Pakistani people to serve the world".
Responding to a question, the minister said, both Pakistan and the US give immense importance to their bilateral ties and working closely to turn it into long-term relationship. "This is evident from the frequent high-level visits from both sides."
This is the first visit by Mr Kasuri to the United States after the designation of Pakistan as a Major Non- Nato Ally.
Replying to a question on the Pakistanis languishing in Guantanamo Bay and Afghan prisons, he said, the foreign office had been making concerted efforts to bring them back as soon as possible.
He said many of them were brought back as a result of these efforts.
Particularly with regard to those in Afghan prisons, he said, Pakistan had fruitful talks with the Afghan-based American authorities and the government of President Hamid Karzai.-APP
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