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Pak, Afghan presidents to meet Obama on Wednesday

May 04, 2009 12:28 IST

The trilateral summit of US, Pakistan and Afghanistan this week would help in establishing a working equation between the three Presidents for better coordination and united fight against terrorism emanating from the two Asian countries.
 
The summit, the first under the Obama administration, is considered to be a crucial element in the US' 'war against terror' in the region, especially in Afghanistan where the US is sending thousands of troops this summer to fight the Taliban.
 
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai (rpt) Karzai will arrive in Washington on Tuesday to take part in the summit to be held on May 6 and 7.
 
Both Zardari and Karzai are leading a high-power delegation from their respective countries. However, Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will not accompany the President in view of the "alarming security situation" in the country. The Pakistan Army is involved in military operations against the Taliban.
 
On Wednesday, Obama would be meeting Karzai and Zardari separately following which the US President would head
towards the tri-lateral meeting with both the leaders. US officials hope the trilateral summit would help in establishing a working equation between the three presidents that would result in better coordination and united fight against the terrorist in the Af-Pak region.

Lalit K Jha in Washington
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