Kampala — The Commonwealth Foreign Ministers' meeting kicks off Wednesday in Kampala with Pakistan high on agenda, a move that might see the Asian country suspended.

The meeting at Kampala Serena Hotel will involve 53 foreign ministers from 53 Commonwealth member states.

"This issue (of Pakistan) is being handled by the Ministerial Action Group - and last week in London they communicated what they have come out with. It is on the Agenda of the foreign ministers meeting. The final decision will be known on Thursday," Commonwealth Secretary General Don McKinnon said in an interview with Daily Monitor.

The Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG), which comprises the foreign ministers of nine nations, last week, told President Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan will be suspended if he does not shed his army uniform, repeal emergency provisions, restore the constitution, free jailed activists and lift media curbs by November 22.

In its statement, the CMAG asked President Musharraf to move rapidly towards the creation of conditions for the holding of free and fair elections which the Pakistan leader has promised by January 9 next year, saying his emergency rule "seriously violates the Commonwealth's fundamental political values."

Already failure of the Pakistani Supreme Court to declare Musharraf a legitimate President automatically denies him a chance to attend the Kampala summit. He also missed the Malta CHOGM two years ago.

On Monday Pakistan's Supreme Court, reportedly packed with government friendly judges dismissed challenges to President Musharraf's re-election last month.

Uganda's Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa said the Ministerial summit would also discuss climate change and economic transformation.

"At the Foreign Ministers meeting, we shall be discussing climate change, international trade, development and continuation of democracy, understanding of people so it's quite a substantive agenda," he said.

"The discussions would lead to the report which I will present on behalf of my colleagues in the executive session of the heads of state," Mr Kutesa said in an interview with Daily Monitor.

The ministers were expected to start arriving Tuesday.

If the Foreign Ministers unanimously back Pakistan's suspension, their declaration will feed into the Commonwealth Heads of State Meeting which will have a final say on Pakistan's fate.

Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 after Musharraf ousted then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in an army coup but was restored as a full member five years later after Musharraf promised to shed his military uniform - a key Commonwealth demand that remains unfulfilled.

At their meeting in Malta in 2005, Commonwealth leaders declared that a single individual holding the offices of head of state and chief of army staff is incompatible with the basic principles of democracy and the spirit of the Commonwealth's principles.

They said that until the two offices are separated, the process of democratisation in Pakistan will not be considered irreversible.

Currently, two countries remain suspended from the Commonwealth - Zimbabwe for what were widely seen as rigged elections in 2002, and Fiji for a military coup last year.

Meanwhile, Mr Kutesa was interviewed by the Daily Monitor about the significance of the country hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Here are excerpts:

Q: Could you highlight the significance of Uganda in hosting such a big International Meeting?

A: Well it is of significance in the sense that this is an opportunity for Uganda to showcase what it can confirm in terms of facilities in hosting the summit therefore making it known as a conference destination. It also demonstrates the ability, it is a show case because it is a big opportunity because Chogm has many forums, and one of them is the business council forum which [started Tuesday].

Q: Do you think we are really very ready to host this big meeting? There concerns that our infrastructure is not to the top level or adequate enough for a smooth operation because of last minute preparations.

A: I do not think that you can ever be 100 per cent ready. I have attended international conferences every where all over the world; there are hiccups here and there but by and large I think we are ready, I think we have put many things in place. It is clear to me that for example if you look at what has happened at the youth forum and now today the people's forum is opening I think we are over 80 per cent in terms of readiness and ability and I want to tell you that my experience in other international conferences shows me that we are in good a position now.

Q: We knew we would be hosting Chogm for sure in 2005. Why last minute preparations especially on roads, beautification projects? Even some of the hotels are still being painted like Imperial Royale.

A: Well I think what was difficult is that it took time for the private sector to wake up to some of the opportunities that were available in hosting Chogm. If you look at the hotels like Imperial Royale, it was built in the last 15 months.

Now that is not unique to Uganda, I know for example in Malta the hotel where the retreat was held was built in 18 months. As a country we had budgetary difficulties and particular priorities until I think last year Chogm, was not on top the agenda of all priorities in the country and when it came on top that is when every body had a focus.