U.s Assures For Financial Support

[EagleEyes]

Its very kind of United States to assure us for financial support. This is very generous for them. But also it is very nice for us too, that we kept that many refugees in our country, Afghanistan should be thankful for us. Not to mention we are working hard to develop their nation, we are on a war against their enemy! You never know, maybe after 20-30 years there will be Afghanistan forces side by our forces. :W00T:

US assures financial support to Pakistan concerning Afghan refugees

ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 : Secretary SAFRON Sajid Hussain Chattah , met US Assistant Secretary of State on Population , Refugees and Migration Richard L. Green in Geneva and discussed with him issues relating to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, said a message received here.

Chattah led Pakistan delegation to the 56th session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR in Geneva on October 6.

In the meeting Sajid Hussain Chattha stated that Pakistan and US had similar views on the political and security situation in the region.

He thanked the US government for its continued support for stay of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Chattha apprised the senior US official that according to a census held this year confirmed that 3 million Afghan refugees still remained in Pakistan.

He asserted that repatriation was the most preferred solution of the Afghans refugees in Pakistan.

He said that during last three years repatriation proceeded smoothly.

He told the American Assistant Secretary of State that Pakistan, however, acknowledged the importance of voluntarism and gradualism in repatriation taking into account re-integration in Afghanistan.

He said that “patience” was important to complete the process of repatriation of Afghans to their homeland.

Chattha highlighted that in the aftermath of the census, comprehensive registration of Afghans living in Pakistan was essential to plan their temporary stay in Pakistan and their subsequent repatriation.

He stressed that international community particularly donors should remain engaged in the process.

He also stressed the need of development projects for refugees and the host communities in the refugee impacted areas of Pakistan.

SAFRON Secretary expressed the hope that at the strategic consultations on Afghan refugees to be held in Geneva on 7 October 2005, the United States and other donor countries would indicate their willingness to make contributions as burden and responsibility sharing.

He informed the US delegation that a donor conference would also be organized in Pakistan in 2006.

US Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Richard Greene said that Pakistan and US shared common understanding on important international and regional issues.

He assured full support to Pakistan delegation on these issues concerning Afghan refugees saying “we are with you, you can count on us”.

He stated that United States had been the largest contributor to the cause of Afghan refugees and said “we will stay as involved as in the past”.

Richard Greene expressed his agreement on Pakistan’s view that 3 million refugees had extraordinary needs which required international burden and responsibility sharing.

He said that US would display serious engagement in the donors’ conference.

Source: Pakistan Link