Only 3 ministers, 2 officials to accompany Zardari to US

Washington, Sept 18 : Newly-elected Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari is all set to break the tradition of taking along a huge delegation on foreign visits. He will be accompanied by only three ministers and two officials on his New York visit beginning September 22.

Contrary to the practice of past heads of states, of taking along 100-member delegation, including his predecessor Pervez Musharraf, there will be no media delegation accompanying the President.

According to the Daily Times, the President has decided that any media organisation wanting to accompany him will have to bear the bills.

As a cost cutting exercise, Zardari will not hold a community dinner either, but he is likely to receive groups of local Pakistanis who wish to call on him. He is going to stay at the modest midtown Hotel Roosevelt, which is owned by the Pakistan government.

During his visit, Zardari will meet his US counterpart George Bush on September 23, and on September 25 he is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly.

Besides, the President will also meet his Afghan counterpart President Hamid Karzai, Iranian counterpart Mahmood Ahmedinijad and French counterpart Sarkozy. He is also scheduled to meet Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Zardari's maiden US visit after assuming the presidency ends on September 27.

ANI