Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Afghanistan

Afghan Leader Criticizes Pakistan For Plans To Mine Border

Hamid Karzai (file photo) (epa)

December 28, 2006 -- Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai today criticized Pakistan's decision to erect a fence and put land mines along the Afghan-Pakistani border.

TEXT SIZE - +

December 28, 2006

Karzai said the move would only separate families and would not prevent terrorists from crossing back and forth.

"Planting land mines or putting up barbed wire will not stop terrorism, but
it will bring about the separation of people, and Afghanistan is very much against it," Karzai said.

He also said Pakistani authorities would be better off removing training centers used by terrorists in Pakistan's tribal areas that border Afghanistan.

The United Nations has already criticized Pakistan's announced intention to put land mines along its border with Afghanistan.

The Pakistani government has not said when it would start constructing the fences and planting the mines along the border.

(Reuters, AP)

Afghanistan And Pakistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai (left) with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad in October 2005 (epa)

ACROSS A DIFFICULT BORDER. The contested border between Pakistan and Afghanistan is some 2,500 kilometers long and runs through some of the most rugged, inhospitable territory on Earth. Controlling that border and preventing Taliban militants from using Pakistan as a staging ground for attacks in Afghanistan is an essential part of the U.S.-led international coalition's strategy for stabilizing Afghanistan. Officials in Kabul have been pointing their fingers at Pakistan for some time, accusing Islamabad or intelligence services of turning a blind eye to cross-border terrorism targeting the Afghan central government. Many observers remain convinced that much of the former Taliban regime's leadership -- along with leaders of Al-Qaeda -- are operating in the lawless Afghan-Pakistani border region.... (more)

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflicts Continue

Karzai, Musharraf Spar Ahead Of Bush Meeting

Musharraf Says Taliban Could Spark Pashtun 'National War'

Afghan Minister Attacks Pakistani Support For 'Terrorism'

Historical Context Of Afghan-Pakistani Relations

Afghanistan/Pakistan: 'Inseparable Twins' In Need Of Separation

ARCHIVE

RFE/RL coverage of Afghanistan. RFE/RL coverage of Pakistan.

For weekly news and analysis on Afghanistan by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report."

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in Pakistan in recent years

In Pakistan, Cleaner Fuel Powers Supply, Safety Issues

Rising fuel prices have pushed Pakistan to become a global leader in using compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel vehicles. More

Family members of missing Baluchs, mostly political activists, rally in protest on the eve of international Human Rights Day in Quetta, Balochistan, on December 10, 2011.

U.S. Hearing On Balochistan Raises Hackles, Awareness In Pakistan

The U.S. Congressional hearing last week on Balochistan, the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, though it was firmly rejected by Islamabad, is being seen in Pakistan as any eye-opener for the state and its security agencies. More