Afghanistan Says Clashes To Affect Ties With Pakistan

Pakistani soldiers near guarding the border at Chaman (epa)

May 15, 2007 (RFE/RL) -- Afghanistan says recent clashes between Afghan and Pakistani troops will have a negative impact on bilateral relations, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan reports.

The comment by President Hamid Karzai's spokesman, Karim Rahimi, follows two days of deadly clashes at the Afghan-Pakistan border.

Kabul says the violence erupted May 13 after Pakistani forces encroached inside Afghan territory.

Islamabad accuses the Afghan Army of sparking the battle with "unprovoked" fire at several of its border posts.

(with AFP material)