Karzai Warns Pakistan That Patience Is 'Wearing Thin'

Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri (left) will meet with his Afghan counterpart, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, today (epa) December 8, 2006 -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri that Afghan public patience is "wearing thin" amid increased violence that Kabul blames on Pakistani-based insurgents.

Kasuri, who is on an official visit to neighboring Afghanistan, met Karzai yesterday for talks on border security and ways to curb violence in Afghanistan.

Relations between the two countries have been strained by Afghanistan's persistent allegations that Pakistan is giving refuge to Taliban militants.

Kasuri is due to hold more talks today with his Afghan counterpart, Rangin Dadfar Spanta. They are expected to discuss proposed tribal councils, or jirgas, of community leaders aimed at reining in Taliban fighters.

(AP, AFP)

Afghanistan And Pakistan

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)

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