Pakistani Leader Continues Afghan Visit
Presidents Musharraf (left) and Karzai in Kabul on September 6 (AFP)
On the first day of his visit, Musharraf pledged cooperation with Afghanistan in the battle against Al-Qaeda terrorists, Taliban militants, and what he called the "Talibanization" of society.
Musharraf also defended his government's recent cease-fire with militants in the North Waziristan tribal region along the Afghan border, saying Pakistani authorities would not permit the area to be turned into a terrorist sanctuary.
The visit is regarded as a further step to strengthen relations that have been strained by charges and countercharges of laxity in pursuing cross-border terrorists and insurgents.
A senior Pakistani army spokesman on September 6 dismissed as "fabricated" and "absurd" a U.S. news report suggesting that Pakistani authorities would not capture Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden if they had the chance.
Some experts believe bin Laden might be hiding in the difficult-to-police tribal areas of Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan.
Pakistan and Afghanistan also recently agreed within the framework of a quadrilateral group that includes the United States and NATO to better coordinate patrols along their volatile 2,430-kilometer border.
(AP, AFP)
A U.S. military vehicle damaged by insurgents near Kandahar (epa)
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