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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (44714)	9/29/2003 3:09:16 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Respond to of 50167

Afghan president Karzai identifies specific strengths, compulsions and issues in the Pakistan-Afghan relations. Interview with Ms. Zehra On Friendship With Pakistan "I want to tell the people of Pakistan that the people of Afghanistan still want to have the best of relations with the people of Pakistan; with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan. How can we forget the years of generosity to us. We have also forgiven what was done to us 10 years ago. From our heart we want to be friends with Pakistan. People to people links between Pakistan and Afghanistan are very strong. We are together as a people." The Challenge "I will never let Afghanistan go back to the dark days. The people of Afghanistan, of Central Asia, of our entire region need to live comfortably, need to be educated, need to be developed. Our women should be educated, should be working. We are spoiling the environment if the fighting continues. We have to ensure the progress and prosperity of our people." Karzai’s Own Commitment "I have a role to play in Afghanistan, in the region. When I came to Afghanistan and when the Taliban were defeated I called up key people in Pakistan, including army generals including General Janjua. I told everybody that our relations with Pakistan are very dear to us. I called my Afghan people in the US also and said that they should also convey this to the Pakistani government." Karzai recalled his personal involvement in ensuring the release of a Pakistani young man fighting alongside the Taliban. He had received a letter from a Pakistani mother whom he wrote back and promised to find her son. After months of searching the son was found and sent back to Pakistan. Musharraf Factor "After it was clear that I would lead Afghanistan following the Bonn Agreement, President Musharraf called me. He assured me of his full support. We have had good and solid interaction. Of late, however, I feel the Taliban question is not being fully addressed by the government of Pakistan. I have conveyed our concern to President Musharraf. I have invited President Musharraf to visit us soon. If he does not come then I will go there." Compulsions for strong ties with Pakistan "Realism rules us, we do not fantasize. Also on the principle of self-interest we know how important our relations are with Pakistan. This is a centuries-old relationship with commercial and cultural interests. Even today in Kandahar over 12,000 unskilled Pakistanis are employed in the construction industry. Many Pakistani firms have won tenders and are involved in reconstruction. When Afghan groups have complained I have said we must follow the principle of fair competition." People to people exchange "We are going to plan exchange visits between the Afghan and Pakistani Ulemas, intellectuals, businessmen, women, students. These are the bridges that need to be built and strengthened." Ashamed about attack on Pakistan Embassy "When the Pakistan embassy was attacked I was ashamed. It was very unfortunate. I called President Musharraf and apologised. We have caught hold of those who are responsible. The Afghan chief justice said two punishments maybe given to them; either a hefty fine or two years in prison." Four specific issues Anti-Kabul Teaching in Some Madrassas "There are some Madrassas in parts of Balochistan still preaching ‘Jihad’ to Afghan students against the Afghan government. Some of these Madrassas are under the influence of Maulvi Abdul Ghani, the brother of the Health Minister of Balochistan. Some of the young Afghans still living in Pakistan are encouraged to see Kabul as the enemy of the Afghan people and of Pakistan. They are encouraged to continue fighting instead of opting for peace. The Afghan people now need peace." Border crossings and controls "In the last few months there have been instances of small groups of Afghan ‘Talibans’ crossing over from the Chaman border. In one instance, the Afghan forces attacked a Taliban group. The injured were transported in official Pakistani vehicles to government hospitals. This was evidence of government patronage to these Taliban. According to a Karzai aide some weeks later the brother of the Balochistan Health Minister was taken into custody by the Centre. Stricter controls of the routes to the Pakistan-Afghan border can be managed by the government of Pakistan. Those must be exercised. When I was in Balochistan it was very very difficult to send anything across into Afghanistan." Anti-Kabul statements "There are statements made in Pakistan which paint us as the enemies of Pakistan. The JUI leaders few months ago in a major NWFP congregation declared that on one side we have the Indians and on the other the Afghan government. Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Karzai was pro-Indian, therefore, Pakistan’s enemy. There was no statement by the Pakistan government on such a negative assertion by a major politician." The ‘India’ Factor "The Pakistan government has clearly conveyed its concern over the opening of Indian consulates in Afghan cities. I have personally assured everyone on the Pakistani side that there will be no anti-Pakistan activity conducted on or from the Afghan territory. In fact the Indian government has been categorically told that the Consulates would only conduct commercial activities. Most of these consulates have been functioning in Afghanistan for a long time."