*EPF502 03/19/2004
U.S. Offers Assistance to Government of Pakistan
(White House Report, March 19: Pakistan, Poland, France, Nominations, week ahead) (680)

White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan told reporters March 19 that the U.S. government would send assistance to the Pakistani military, if Pakistan requests it.

"There is a fierce battle going, currently under way in Pakistan between Pakistani military forces and al-Qaeda fighters. This is a Pakistani operation, but if requested we will provide any assistance we can. We work closely with the government of Pakistan in the war on terror," McClellan said.

According to news reports, Pakistani forces were fighting a fierce battle March 19 with 300-400 foreign militants and Pakistani tribal allies after encircling them near the Afghan border.

BUSH DISCUSSES IRAQ WITH POLAND'S PRESIDENT

"President Kwasniewski reaffirmed Poland's commitment to the coalition in Iraq," the press secretary said of a telephone conversation between President Bush and Poland's President Aleksander Kwasniewski.

"President Bush called President Aleksander Kwasniewski to thank him for his support and leadership in the war on terrorism and Iraq. Both leaders agreed that, in the wake of the attacks in Madrid, both Poland and the United States must continue to stand firmly together in fighting terrorism," McClellan said.

The press secretary said that the two leaders also discussed the importance of strengthening democratic institutions in Russia and the Ukraine.

BUSH THANKS CHIRAC FOR FRANCE'S SUPPORT IN WAR ON TERROR

"President Bush called to thank France's President Jacques Chirac for his strong statements of support for fighting terrorism in the aftermath of the Madrid terrorist attack," the White House spokesman said.

McClellan stated, "President Chirac expressed to President Bush that France shares the United States' commitment to showing strength and resolve in the fight against terrorism."

He added that Bush also raised the importance of forgiving the vast majority of Iraq's debt to France.

BUSH TO NOMINATE TWO AMBASSADORS

President Bush intends to nominate Roger A. Meece, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Meece currently serves as Diplomat in Residence at the Florida International University. He previously served as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi. Earlier in his career, Ambassador Meece worked as Director of the Office of Central African Affairs at the Department of State. He earned his bachelor's degree from Michigan State University.

President Bush intends to nominate James Moriarty, of Massachusetts, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Nepal. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Moriarty most recently served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Asia at the National Security Council. Prior to that position, he served as the Council's Director for China and Taiwan Affairs. Earlier in his career, Mr. Moriarty worked in the Political Section at the American Embassy in Beijing, China. He earned his bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday March 22: President Bush will participate in a photo/op with the recipients of the Public Safety Officer Medals of Valor.

Tuesday March 23: President Bush will meet with Colombia's President Alvaro Uribe at the White House in the Oval Office. He will attend a cabinet meeting later in the day. Later in the afternoon, the president will make remarks to the NCAA sports champions.

Wednesday March 24: President Bush will make remarks at the Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. He will also make remarks to the members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington. That evening, he will attend the Radio and Television Correspondents Dinner.

Thursday March 25: President Bush will participate in a conversation on the home ownership in New Hampshire. He will attend a Bush-Cheney 2004 reception in Boston.

Friday March 26: President Bush will travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a conversation on home ownership. Following this, he will travel to Crawford, Texas, where he will remain at his ranch until Monday.

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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