Sunday, November 12, 2006

AFGHANISTAN: KARZAI WANTS CLOSER TIES BETWEEN PASHTUNS ON BOTH SIDES OF BORDER

Afghanistan’s border with Pakistan, known as the Durand Line, was created by the colonial British during the 19th century. Since that border subsequently was inherited by Pakistan when it became a country through the partition of British colonial India, Afghanistan has never formally recognized the border. Karzai says discussions about the Durand Line is not on the agenda of the cross-border jirga he has proposed. "The agenda of the discussion is about peace and the removal of terrorism," he said. "There is no place for any other issue in it and there will be no talks on any other issue. This jirga does not have the authority to discuss the Durand Line or to make decisions about it. This is a question that goes higher than the authority of such jirgas. This issue cannot be decided on the basis of my signature or the government’s approval. This is a question for the people of the two nations. It is beyond the authority of a jirga that is convened for the purpose of peace." Karzai also spoke with RFE/RL at length about why he continues to oppose a proposal by Pakistan to build a security fence along the border to stop cross-border infiltration by militants.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home