Marc Grossman, the Obama Administration's new special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, embarks on a visit Tuesday during which he will meet the two Asian countries' leaders and reaffirm the US commitment to enduring partnerships with them, the State Department said. Ambassador Grossman departs Monday for travel to London, Jeddah, Kabul, Islamabad and Brussels.
During this trip Ambassador Grossman will attend the International Contact Group (ICG) meeting in Jeddah and meet with key partners and allies to continue ongoing consultations. "In Kabul and Islamabad Ambassador Grossman will meet with senior government officials and representatives from civil society and local media. In his meeting, Ambassador Grossman will emphasise the US commitment to long-term, enduring partnerships with both Afghanistan and Pakistan." He will continue the ongoing dialogues begun by Ambassador Holbrooke and reaffirm the message Secretary Clinton made in her February 18 speech to the Asia Society, the State Department added.