ID :
12147
Fri, 07/11/2008 - 11:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/12147
The shortlink copeid
Pakistan not allow foreign troops to operate inside its territory
New York, July 11 PPI: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told UN Security Council it will not permit its soil to be used against other countries nor allow foreign troops to operate inside its territory.
``We can assure greater success in containing terrorism and insurgency on both sides of border through more effective cooperation and matching military measures. This isa joint responsibility,'' he said as the Council debated situation in Afghanistan.
``We are prepared to consider suggestions to enhance effectiveness of such cooperation. At same time, Pakistan's partners, especially Afghanistan, too could contribute to enhancing operational cooperation by undertaking measures such as: expansion military deployments and check posts on Afghan side of border to match Pakistan's 100,000 military personnel and 1200 check-posts; real time intelligence sharing; caution in use of artillery and aerial attacks; supply of counter-insurgency equipment requested by Pakistan; more effective check of 40,000 daily legal crossings, and relocation of Afghan refugee camps close to border from Pakistan to controlled sites in Afghanistan. More needed to be done to overcomesuspicion and distrust,'' he stressed.
Initial steps could include declaring mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, avoidance of provocative statements, revival and reinvigoration of Jirga process. Ankara Process as well as Afghanistan, Iran,Pakistan tripartite cooperation should be supported.
He said Pakistan condemned terrorist attack against Indian Embassy in Kabul and deeply regretted loss of life and damage caused by that unacceptable suicidebombing.
Qureshi said gains made since Bonn Agreement must be consolidated and challenges addressed effectively, in particular intensifying threat posed by terrorist violenceand militant insurgency.
The continuing insecurity and violence in several parts of Afghanistan could be attributed to a complex interplay of several factors, including the Taliban,Al-Qaeda, lingering warlordism, factional rivalries and criminal activity.
Peace and stability in Afghanistan were in Pakistan's vital interest as two countries faced the common threat of extremism and terrorism, Qureshi said. Peace and stability are essential to enable Pakistan and Afghanistan to serve as hub and corridor for trade and economic cooperation between dynamic regions of South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Gulf region. Apart from Afghan people, people ofPakistan had suffered the most from decades of conflict in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's contribution to fight against terrorism and extremism was well known.
``We lost more soldiers than any other in that effort, but it would remain determined to defeat, eliminate terrorism and its root causes. An end to conflict in Afghanistan would help to restore normality,'' he said, adding several measures hadbeen taken to prevent cross-border infiltration.
ENDS PPI.
``We can assure greater success in containing terrorism and insurgency on both sides of border through more effective cooperation and matching military measures. This isa joint responsibility,'' he said as the Council debated situation in Afghanistan.
``We are prepared to consider suggestions to enhance effectiveness of such cooperation. At same time, Pakistan's partners, especially Afghanistan, too could contribute to enhancing operational cooperation by undertaking measures such as: expansion military deployments and check posts on Afghan side of border to match Pakistan's 100,000 military personnel and 1200 check-posts; real time intelligence sharing; caution in use of artillery and aerial attacks; supply of counter-insurgency equipment requested by Pakistan; more effective check of 40,000 daily legal crossings, and relocation of Afghan refugee camps close to border from Pakistan to controlled sites in Afghanistan. More needed to be done to overcomesuspicion and distrust,'' he stressed.
Initial steps could include declaring mutual respect for each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, avoidance of provocative statements, revival and reinvigoration of Jirga process. Ankara Process as well as Afghanistan, Iran,Pakistan tripartite cooperation should be supported.
He said Pakistan condemned terrorist attack against Indian Embassy in Kabul and deeply regretted loss of life and damage caused by that unacceptable suicidebombing.
Qureshi said gains made since Bonn Agreement must be consolidated and challenges addressed effectively, in particular intensifying threat posed by terrorist violenceand militant insurgency.
The continuing insecurity and violence in several parts of Afghanistan could be attributed to a complex interplay of several factors, including the Taliban,Al-Qaeda, lingering warlordism, factional rivalries and criminal activity.
Peace and stability in Afghanistan were in Pakistan's vital interest as two countries faced the common threat of extremism and terrorism, Qureshi said. Peace and stability are essential to enable Pakistan and Afghanistan to serve as hub and corridor for trade and economic cooperation between dynamic regions of South Asia, Central Asia, China and the Gulf region. Apart from Afghan people, people ofPakistan had suffered the most from decades of conflict in Afghanistan.
Pakistan's contribution to fight against terrorism and extremism was well known.
``We lost more soldiers than any other in that effort, but it would remain determined to defeat, eliminate terrorism and its root causes. An end to conflict in Afghanistan would help to restore normality,'' he said, adding several measures hadbeen taken to prevent cross-border infiltration.
ENDS PPI.
