U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Rajiv Shah will make his first official trip to Pakistan and Afghanistan this week, according to a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department.
He and U.S. Deputy Secretary for State for Management and Resources Jack Lew will be “on separate, but coordinated, trips” to the two countries, State Department spokesperson Philip J. Crowley said in an April 8 press briefing. The two will evaluate staffing and budget resources, civilian and security assistance initiatives, and programs promoting governance and economic reforms, Crowley added.
“In Pakistan, they will build on the positive momentum generated by the recent U.S. and Pakistan strategic dialogue discussions, and in Afghanistan they will meet with senior members of the Afghan Government, ISAF officials, and key partners in the international donor community to continue our ongoing engagement on the range of priority issues on which we collaborate and cooperate,” Crowley said.
