ISLAMABAD, Nov 14: The United States has spearheaded a huge campaign to rally international support to help manage substantial assistance for relief and reconstruction work in Pakistan, says Ms Karen Hughes, US Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy.
Speaking at a news conference here on Monday along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and the US delegation of chief executive officers (CEOs), she said that the Bush Administration was seriously concerned about the devastating Oct 8 earthquake and was not only considerably increasing its military and economic assistance but was also urging the international community to play its due role in this behalf.
She said that US Assistant Secretary of State Ms Christina Rocca was undertaking a special tour of the Middle East and other places to secure required funding for the November 19 conference. Ms Rocca was also present on the occasion.
Ms Hughes said that the US had earlier sent 1,100 military personnel to help quake victims and 90 more will be arriving Pakistan on Tuesday. “Pakistan is a friend of the United States and we would do every thing to help Pakistan in this our of need”, the US Under Secretary of State assured.
The US private sector, she said, was increasing its financial support to help meet the cost of relief and reconstruction. She said she toured the quake hit areas on Monday, “and as a mother my heart is broken after having seen the horrible devastation”.
“It was a very emotional day as the US delegation also for the first time saw gorgeous natural beauty of mountains and rivers hit by the earthquake”, she said.
The US government, she said, had earlier announced $156 million assistance which was further being adequately enhanced.
However, she called upon the media to build Pakistan’s case for increased assistance like that of tsunami. She was of the view that more efforts were required to convince the international community for more and more support for earthquake victims and reconstruction.
The prime minister on the occasion told reporters that he was very much encouraged by the increasing US military and financial support for Pakistan.
Responding to a question he said that Pakistan and donor agencies have eventually reached a consensus that reconstruction required $5.2 billion which he hoped will be forthcoming. In this regard, Mr Aziz said that Nov 19 conference was very important and added, “we are hoping to have mixed assistance containing grants and soft loans”.
The Bush Administration’s second initiative to mobilize generous support from the US private sector, the prime minister said, will bear fruits. “We are receiving positive signals from the US corporate sector to help Pakistan”
He said more meetings will take pace between Pakistani officials, foreign governments and the private sector to muster maximum support for Nov 19 conference.
On this occasion Mr Jim Kelly, former Chairman CEO UPS, Mr Hank Mckinnell, Pfizer, Mr Anne Mulchay, Xerox, and few others also spoke and assured to provide maximum support for earthquake victims.
