09 January 2002

Secretary of State to Travel to South Asia, Japan

The State Department issued the following press notice January 9 about Secretary of State Colin Powell's coming trip to South Asia and Japan:

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell will travel to South Asia and to Japan, where he will attend the international conference on Afghanistan reconstruction in Tokyo. Secretary Powell plans to depart for South Asia on Tuesday, January 15 and to return to Washington on Monday, January 21.

In South Asia, Secretary Powell plans to stop in India, Pakistan, and possibly other locations. Secretary Powell will meet with the leaders of both India and Pakistan to urge reduction of tensions and improve international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Secretary Powell will represent the United States in Tokyo at the International Conference on Reconstruction Assistance to Afghanistan, co-chaired by the U.S., Japan, European Union, and Saudi Arabia. The Secretary will attend the January 21 session of the Conference. While in Tokyo, Secretary Powell also will meet with senior officials of the Japanese Government to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues of concern.

Further details on Secretary Powell's itinerary will be announced when scheduled.

Press who wish to request a seat on Secretary Powell's aircraft can add their name to the sign-up sheet in the Office of Press Relations, temporarily located in Room 2105, at the State Department, either in person or by phone (202 647-2492). The sign-up sheet will be posted until 5:00 p.m. Thursday, January 10, 2002. All press who sign up are requested to complete appropriate visa application forms, available in person or by fax from the Press Relations office.

Appropriate visas are required for all travelers on the Secretary's aircraft, and media representatives must pay related visa fees. On occasion the State Department may need to obtain visas before seats have been confirmed. Those who request to travel with the Secretary but who will not pay visa charges until a seat has been confirmed will be responsible for obtaining their required visas or other travel documentation from countries to be visited should they be offered a seat on the Secretary's aircraft. A list of visa fees for this trip will be provided to those who request a seat at the time of sign-up, along with visa application forms.