Musharraf to meet Chirac at close of tour

Pakistan’s President General Pervez Musharraf was to meet with France’s president today, concluding a trip that has taken him to London, Washington and Latin America.

The discussions with President Jacques Chirac were to cover an array of issues including counterterrorism, Iraq, the reconstruction of Afghanistan and peace efforts between Pakistan and India, according to a Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement.

A lunch at the presidential Elysée Palace was planned. Ahead of the leaders’ talks, Musharraf was meeting with Pakistan experts from French think tanks and a group of French editors.

Throughout his tour, Musharraf has stressed his commitment to battling terrorism. He said on Monday in London that Pakistan had arrested some 600 suspected al-Qaida members and “broken the back” of the terror network blamed for the September 11 attacks.

Musharraf has reaped praise from Washington for leading Pakistan’s battle against terrorism.

However, he also said the root causes of terrorism must be addressed – poverty, illiteracy and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Such a stance is dear to France and fits in with Chirac’s emphasis on fighting poverty to eliminate the resentment it breeds.

Another area of shared concern is Iraq. Addressing British MPs, Musharraf suggested his country might help train Iraqi security forces – a job he said needs speeding up to provide an “exit strategy” to foreign forces.

France, which vigorously opposed the US-led war in Iraq, has said it will not put troops there, even for training, but will train police outside the war-ravaged country.

Musharraf’s Paris visit also has bilateral goals.

“The visit of the president to France would give impetus needed to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

The two countries are looking to build a “vibrant business partnership”, it added.

In 2003, bilateral trade between France and Pakistan was worth $500m (€375.4m), according to Pakistani figures.

The Pakistani president stands to maintain his double role as chief of state and army chief.

Musharraf, who seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999, had pledged to stand down as army chief by December 31. However, Pakistan’s parliament passed a bill last month allowing him to remain head of state and the military beyond the end of 2004.

He suggested in London that he would stay on as president and army chief until 2007.