LOS ANGELES: Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said terrorism is a threat to peace, stability and economic development of all countries and particularly developing countries like Pakistan because there could be no economic progress in an area where there was instability.

He was talking to a group of journalists on the first day of his three-day visit to southern California. The minister said Pakistan's role as a frontline state against the scourge of terrorism has been duly appreciated by the world community and particularly the United States.

On the issue of the registration of Pakistani nationals in the US, the minister said the American authorities had assured him that the policy was being implemented without discrimination and that Pakistanis would be treated with justice and fair play.

In response to the concern expressed by the minister on this issue with US authorities, he said he had been further assured that the US authorities would show flexibility and administrative discretion in favour of Pakistanis.

The minister, however, advised Pakistani nationals in the US to abide by the laws of the host country and maintain their image of a peaceful and hardworking people who were contributing to the progress and prosperity of the United States.

He said the issue of registration has been discussed between Pakistan and the United States at various levels and will be taken up again when he meets the Secretary of State and other officials in Washington.

Asked about Pakistan-India relations and the role of the United States, the minister said both
Pakistan and the United States were of the view that a dialogue process should commence between India and Pakistan without further delay. And the negotiations should begin without preconditions, he said.

He said: "Solution to any problem lies in diplomatic engagement and not in shying away from it or resorting to deployment of troops in threatening postures." On the issue of Kashmir, the minister reiterated that the struggle against foreign and illegal occupation by the subjugated people was recognised in international law and the struggle of the people of Kashmir should be viewed in that perspective. A clear distinction, he said, needs to be drawn between struggle against oppressive foreign occupation and acts of terrorism.