Is JRB going to Kuwait this weekend?

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eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com

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2011-02-24 21:43:20

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<62B45924-BF4C-4C58-B2D0-38C99944821A@rosemontseneca.com>

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Hunter Biden <hbiden@rosemontseneca.com>

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Zardari likely to meet Biden in Kuwait
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 24 (PTI) President Asif Ali Zardari is likely to meet US Vice President Joe Biden during a visit to Kuwait this week � the first high-level contact between the two countries since an American national was arrested in Lahore last month for killing two men.

Zardari will embark on a two-day visit to Kuwait tomorrow to attend Arab country''s 50th anniversary of independence and its 20th anniversary of liberation from an Iraqi invasion.

He is likely to meet Biden on February 26, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted official sources as saying.

The President was scheduled to visit Washington next month but the daily reported that diplomatic circles now believed the trip might be postponed due to the spat between the two governments over American national Raymond Davis, who was arrested on January 27 after he shot and killed two armed men in Lahore.

The US cancelled trilateral talks with Pakistan and Afghanistan to be held in Washington this month amidst a tense stand-off over Davis.

The matter has been complicated by revelations in the US media that Davis was a contractor working for the CIA.

Pakistan''s leaders, fearful of a backlash in the wake of rising anti-American sentiments, have rebuffed US demands for Davis to be freed on grounds of diplomatic immunity.

Bilateral relations have suffered a serious setback following Islamabad''s insistence that Davis'' case will be decided by the courts.

A lower court in Lahore is scheduled to begin the prosecution of Davis on a murder charge while the Lahore High Court will next month hear a case to decide the American�s diplomatic status.

Zardari is also likely to meet other world leaders on the sidelines of the ceremonies in Kuwait. He will hold talks with the Kuwaiti leadership to strengthen ties.

Zardari''s visit closely follows one by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani during February 14-15.

Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners, LLC
1010 Wisconsin Ave., NW
Suite 705
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.com
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