Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Afghan FM conveys country’s serious concern
WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday described the Swat peace arrangement as a “local solution to a local problem,” emphasising that it would in no way affect Islamabad’s resolve to get rid of violent extremism afflicting the region.
“The logic behind this agreement is a local solution to a local problem, which is quick dispensation of justice. It is not any appeasement of militants,” he told journalists after meeting his Afghan counterpart Rangeen Dafdar Spanta.
“Pakistan’s determination and resolve to defeat terrorism is as sound as it was. We are absolutely clear in our objectives,” he added, when asked about the agreement between the NWFP government and the people of Swat.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq and Director General ISI Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha accompanied the foreign minister during his meeting with the Afghan delegation.
The Pakistani and Afghan foreign ministers are in Washington to attend bilateral as well as trilateral meetings with senior US officials as part of an ongoing review of the US policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Putting the development in its historical context, Qureshi said Swat was a princely state that worked under a peculiar judicial system, they were comfortable with it, aimed at quick and inexpensive justice.
“This is a continuation of the demand — through this agreement we have addressed procedural difficulties, it is not a compromise, there is no question of any capitulation. We will continue to do what have to do in our own interest,” he said.
Qureshi said he had assured his Afghan counterpart “that there was nothing to be apprehensive” about this arrangement. “It is a local arrangement for a local purpose, nothing beyond, nothing that will undermine our commitment to fighting extremism and terrorism and nothing that will undermine the closeness that Pakistan has developed with Afghanistan.”
Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta underlined that the Afghan government had confidence in the leadership of Pakistan. He said he “conveyed Afghanistan’s serious concern” in this regard to the Pakistani foreign minister “who informed me of the situation.”
“We look forward, hope to strengthen cooperation between the two countries to address the challenges, to address the menace of terrorism as common enemy for stability, peace and prosperity of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
Qureshi said he looked forward to developing “greater understanding, a communication of our point of view, sharing of information and developing a convergence of interests,” at review meetings with senior US officials during the visit. The top Pakistani and Afghan diplomats have been invited to attend meetings with Secretary Hillary Clinton and other senior American officials as part of the Barack Obama Administration’s review of the US policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Source: http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=20553
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