30 September 2004	Thursday	14 Shaban 1425

PESHAWAR, Sept 29: Outgoing US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell held separate meetings with Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani and Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah here on Wednesday.

The chief minister reiterated the MMA government's commitment to support the peace process in Afghanistan. US Counsellor at Peshawar Michael Spangler also attended the meeting.

The outgoing US Ambassador assured the chief minister that the development package for improved services in poppy growing areas was being finalized. Small projects in irrigation, health, agriculture and education were about to be started shortly that would be followed by big projects, she said.

She appreciated MMA government's policies for good governance, realistic development policies and better law and order and security measures in the province. Ms Powell also called on Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah and discussed with him various matters with special reference to the US aid for the promotion of education in Fata.