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Ambassador Qazi opened his talk emphasizing Pakistan's long relationship with the United States, citing cooperation during the Cold War, the liberation of Afghanistan, and post-September 11 anti-terrorism activity. He explained that in the post-September 11 alliance, the dynamism of the US-Pakistan relationship has been revived. However, Ambassador Qazi cautioned, many Pakistanis wonder whether the US will cool toward Pakistan once American interests have been served. He sees good reason to be optimistic that the inconstancy of the past between the US and Pakistan will not be repeated. His optimism is based on Pakistani progress and US support in key areas such as security, economics, politics, and the peace process with India.

Since the crackdown on al-Qaida and the Taliban began, Pakistan's security efforts have improved, in part through progress in its relationship with Afghanistan. Ambassador Qazi stated that despite assertions to the contrary, Pakistan has been tough on the Taliban as well as al-Qaida. He added that cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the issue of their shared porous border is increasingly institutionalized. In addition, while in the past the tribal regions of Pakistan constituted a "no-go" area, Pakistan is now working with tribal elders to make them aware of efforts to stop the Taliban and al-Qaida. Pakistan has also been dismantling al-Qaida outposts, and as technology and equipment have improved, so has Pakistan's prevention of terrorist activity.

Ambassador Qazi also addressed the ongoing India-Pakistan peace process. He highlighted movement toward a Kashmir settlement as an essential component for improved bilateral relations between the two countries. Better relations between the two countries is divided into three phases going forward: 1) resumption of dialogue, scheduled to begin next month; 2) discussion of issues that have historically kept the two nations apart; and 3) scrutiny of all feasible solutions for the Kashmir issue that are fair to not only India and Pakistan, but also to the Kashmiri people themselves.

Ambassador Qazi also addressed economic and political issues within Pakistan, emphasizing that the current administration has achieved a decrease in the rate of the rise of poverty, hoping to achieve a plateau and eventually, a decline. The recent assistance package from the US will help both economic and security efforts because once ordinary Pakistanis experience the economic benefits of Pakistan's relationship with the US, their criticisms will decrease. Similarly, Pakistan is working to convince the US that greater market access would help Pakistan achieve its aim of 5% economic growth per year, creating jobs among the disenfranchised sectors of the population. Politically, the parliament passed a constitutional bill and elected Pervez Musharraf as president. In addition, the government is moving toward overcoming past perceptions of politicians and greater institutionalization of democracy in Pakistan. Ambassador Qazi also stated that Pakistan is aware of its obligations in the realm of nuclear nonproliferation and takes these responsibilities very seriously.