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Terror to top PM's address to UN Assembly

Dharam Shourie in New York | September 04, 2003 10:24 IST

Terrorism, especially in the context of Pakistan's failure to keep its promise to dismantle terror networks, and Iraq will top Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's agenda when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly on September 25.

Vajpayee, who arrives in New York on September 19 for a week-long stay, will have a series of meetings with heads of states and government during which he would discuss bilateral and international issues in depth.

Though officials are tight-lipped about Vajpayee's programme, he is likely to meet United States President George W Bush, who will address the 191-member Assembly on Sept 23.

But the likelihood of any interaction with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who would also be here for the session, is more or less ruled out.

Musharraf addresses the Assembly on Sept 24 and Vajpayee would have the advantage of replying to any issues raised by him as he speaks a day later.

The need for a multilateral approach in resolving issues of war and peace and poverty alleviation would also figure in the prime minister's address.

Though not yet confirmed, he might also address the special UN session on AIDS being held on Sept 22.

Besides meeting world leaders, Vajpayee's hectic schedule will include public meetings and interaction with groups of non-resident Indians.

On Sept 21, Vajpayee is scheduled to address a huge public meeting in Manhattan being organized by several Indian-American organisations.

India's Ambassador for People of Indian Origin B K Agnihotri is coordinating the efforts.

His other major public engagements include inauguration of a literary conference being organised by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan on Sept 25.

Vajpayee may also address Columbia University and Asia Society depending whether they can be fitted into his busy schedule.

The prime minister is scheduled to return home on Sept 26.


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