Powell to Travel to India, Pakistan, APEC Meeting

Secretary of State Colin Powell plans to visit Indian and Pakistan sometime after October 12 to discuss the international anti-terrorism campaign, the State Department said in a notice to the press October 9.

"We welcome the strong support we have seen from Pakistan and from India, and the Secretary looks forward to this opportunity to thank them in person for their efforts," the press notice said.

Powell will visit India and Pakistan en route to Shanghai, China, to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meeting October 17-18, the press notice said.

Following is the text of the press notice:

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman

October 9, 2001

Notice to the Press

Travel of Secretary of State Powell to India, Pakistan and APEC

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell will visit India and Pakistan and attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting in Shanghai, China, departing Washington, D.C. sometime after Friday, October 12. Specific dates and itinerary will be announced once the Secretary's schedule is confirmed.

The President has asked Secretary Powell to travel to India and Pakistan to discuss their overall efforts in support the coalition against terrorism and to further that cooperation in order to continue this process of fighting terrorism over the long haul as well. We welcome the strong support we have seen from Pakistan and from India, and the Secretary looks forward to this opportunity to thank them in person for their efforts.

Following his stops in India and Pakistan, Secretary Powell will lead the U.S. delegation to the annual APEC Ministerial Meeting of foreign and trade ministers that will take place October 17-18, 2001, in Shanghai. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, as the premier multilateral organization in the Asia Pacific region, promotes free trade and investment among 21 economies that account for more than half of world GDP. The Secretary, accompanied by Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick, will push for measures to strengthen the coalition against terrorism, as well as to revive growth and restore confidence in regional economies. The Ministerial meeting will precede the APEC Leaders meeting on October 20-21, which President Bush will attend.

Press who wish to request a seat on the Secretary's aircraft may add their name to the sign-up sheet in the Office of Press Relations, room 2109, or phone (202) 647-2492 and ask to be included on the list. The sign-up sheet will remain posted until 12 noon Wednesday, October 10.

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