NEW YORK: During his forthcoming visit to Washington, Pakistan External Affairs Minister Z.A. Bhutto will be able to find out whether Washington now has, as a result of the Ball mission, a better appreciation of Pakistan’s policy with regard to the developments in the subcontinent as well as on the Sino-Indian border.

US Under-Secretary of State George Ball has, it is thought in Pakistani circles here, returned to the US capital a better informed man after receiving an exhaustive and clear cut account of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

It is reaffirmed in Pakistani quarters that recent shifts in foreign policy have been repeatedly explained by the President, by the Foreign Minister and by people’s representatives in the National Assembly. It is up to the others, notably Americans, to understand it if not appreciate it. It is emphasised that Pakistan has no intention of abandoning its declared policy of seeking and maintaining friendly relations with all its neighbours, including India. At the same time Pakistan would do all within its power to protect its territorial integrity in the face of the Indian military menace.

Mr Bhutto will meet President Kennedy in Washington to discuss the current developments in Pakistan-US relations. During his five-day stay in the US capital, Mr Bhutto will also meet high American officials, including Mr Averell Harriman and probably Secretary of State Dean Rusk.

Coming Washington meetings between Pakistani and American officials would be a kind of follow-up to the recent Ball mission to Rawalpindi… [T]his time it is expected that the Americans will do most of the talking and Mr Bhutto will do most of the listening. — Special Correspondent