.Afghanistan wary of Pakistan-Taliban 'peace deal'
KABUL (AFP) — Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta said that any peace deal between Pakistan and Taliban fighters would only fail and terrorism should instead be tackled globally.
The United States has also expressed concern about a possible deal after representatives of both sides said Wednesday the new government in Islamabad had drafted an agreement with rebels along the Afghan border.
"We believe that any efforts by any country in our region to have a separate peace deal with international terrorism, such efforts will fail," Spanta told reporters.
"Past experiences have proved that such efforts will only result in those who make such efforts becoming the victims," he said.
A peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban tribes in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North Waziristan in September 2006 was criticised in Kabul, where officials said it resulted in an increase in attacks in Afghanistan.
That deal was broken after Pakistani troops stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque to evict militants, leaving 100 dead.
Spanta said the countries needed to work together with their international partners in a "clear, continued and coordinated fight against terrorism."
"Finding a peaceful way to decrease terrorism in all countries, not only in one place, is an issue that all sides should act upon," he said.
Islamabad launched talks with the Taliban soon after a new government was formed following elections in February, amid concerns that President Pervez Musharraf's military approach was spawning more violence.
The aim is to transform a month-long lull in a wave of suicide bombings into a permanent peace with the Taliban, who have fought the government since Islamabad joined the US-led "war on terror" in 2001.
AFP
And I had high hopes for the new administration in Pakistan. But it looks as if their up to their old trick. Peace deal, translation, leave up alone, and you can kill anyone else you want too.
The United States has also expressed concern about a possible deal after representatives of both sides said Wednesday the new government in Islamabad had drafted an agreement with rebels along the Afghan border.
"We believe that any efforts by any country in our region to have a separate peace deal with international terrorism, such efforts will fail," Spanta told reporters.
"Past experiences have proved that such efforts will only result in those who make such efforts becoming the victims," he said.
A peace deal between Pakistan and pro-Taliban tribes in the semi-autonomous tribal regions of North Waziristan in September 2006 was criticised in Kabul, where officials said it resulted in an increase in attacks in Afghanistan.
That deal was broken after Pakistani troops stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque to evict militants, leaving 100 dead.
Spanta said the countries needed to work together with their international partners in a "clear, continued and coordinated fight against terrorism."
"Finding a peaceful way to decrease terrorism in all countries, not only in one place, is an issue that all sides should act upon," he said.
Islamabad launched talks with the Taliban soon after a new government was formed following elections in February, amid concerns that President Pervez Musharraf's military approach was spawning more violence.
The aim is to transform a month-long lull in a wave of suicide bombings into a permanent peace with the Taliban, who have fought the government since Islamabad joined the US-led "war on terror" in 2001.
AFP
And I had high hopes for the new administration in Pakistan. But it looks as if their up to their old trick. Peace deal, translation, leave up alone, and you can kill anyone else you want too.
posted by madtom at 12:56 PM
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