15 July 2004	Thursday	26 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

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ISLAMABAD, July 14: Afghanistan expects more from Pakistan in curbing infiltration of militants into the Afghan territory. It has to be a sustained effort with no room for complacency.

This is not only in the interest of Afghanistan but also for Pakistan's own good. If the action is not taken now we will pay a heavier cost.

This was the crux of a candid chat with the visiting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan, Dr Abdullah Abdullah, here on Wednesday. The Afghan embassy had arranged his meeting with a group of senior journalists.

His concern regarding Afghanistan's fragile internal situation and hope for more support from Pakistan made it clear that Kabul recognises the centrality of Pakistan's support and cooperation in all spheres of government activity linked to security.

MILITANTS: Dr Abdullah made no attempt to clarify or contradict President Hamid Karzai's latest statement that militants trained in Pakistan were crossing over into Afghanistan.

He simply endorsed it, saying it was a shared concern. He disagreed with the view that Afghanistan was pursuing a dual policy of giving conflicting signals that on one hand acknowledged and praised efforts made by Pakistan and on the other hand pressed Pakistan to do more.

On being reminded of Pakistan's position that it was doing enough, he snapped back: "So does that mean that no more effort should be made?" He then hastened to add: "We can all do more."

When asked if Kabul believed the Pakistan government sponsored the so-called militants, his answer was an emphatic "No". He was evasive on whether his government had any hard evidence to back the allegation of these militants were trained in Pakistan.

However, he was quick to cite the example of Nek Mohammad who was killed in the Wana operation last month. Dr Abdullah disclosed that at various meetings of the intelligence agencies, including the US and UK, Nek Mohammad's name invariably came up, hinting that it had been conveyed to Pakistan long-time back.

"Whenever a militant group was apprehended during interrogations there was always a reference to Nek Muhammad," he asserted. However, the Afghan foreign minister maintained that the Afghan government was not on board when Pakistani authorities were striking a deal with him. "We were watching the whole thing with great concern while sitting outside," he said, adding that their concern was not the strategy but the solution.

Dr Abdullah remained non-committal when asked if his government was satisfied with the Wana operation. His subtle message was that efforts should not stop there. He warned that if action was not taken now then a heavier price had to be paid.

The Afghan foreign minister did not have much to say on what his government was doing to rein in the militants on its side. "We are trying our best and are optimistic that we will reach the level of stability we want are looking for," was all he said.

He sidestepped questions on Kabul's tendency of putting the onus of disruption by Taliban elements in Afghanistan on Pakistan and blamed it for lack of diplomatic skills. Making light of it he said smilingly: "Perhaps our diplomacy has not yet reached that level of maturity."

When his attention was drawn to constraints Pakistan faced and the high cost it had to pay in operations like Wana, he was matter of fact. "If you don't do it then you have to pay a higher cost," was his response, which came with a pointed reminder of the "choice" Pakistan made after the 9/11 terror attacks on the US landmarks.

Endorsing the vision of Enlightened Moderation of President Pervez Musharraf he said the path of moderation had to be pursued decisively and shun extremism. He made repeatedly reference to the changed regional and global realities to which Pakistan and Afghanistan have to adjust.

HIGH-VALUE TARGET: He dispelled the impression that his visit to Pakistan back-to-back with the US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage was an indication of mounting pressure from the US to produce a high value target.

"A high value target was never a lesser priority," he maintained. He termed it a mere coincidence that he was visiting Pakistan at the same time as Mr Armitage. When quizzed about the latest forecast on whereabouts of Osama bin Laden, Dr Abdullah quipped: "It would be as reliable as a forecast is!"

ENGAGEMENT: Dr Abdullah was careful in not giving a direct answer when asked if his government feared that if President Bush was defeated in the coming elections, the anti-Al Qaeda operation would slow-down and the Pakistani military establishment would start playing the game of favourites in Afghanistan. Instead he emphasized that the engagement of the international community with Afghanistan would continue even if there were a change of government in the US.

He asserted there were clear indications from the American political leaders that it would not disengage in Afghanistan or reduce the current level of engagement. Also, there was consensus about it in the international community for a prolonged engagement, he added.

His veiled message was that till the US is engaged in Pakistan, the military establishment is unlikely to play favourites in Afghanistan. The lessons had been learnt and now everyone was mindful that a stable Afghanistan was crucial for the regional as well as global peace and security, he said.

"Afghanistan that had been the centre of instability can now become a stabilizing factor in the region," Dr Abdullah underscored. A word of caution from him was that Afghanistan's relations with India should not be allowed to cast a dark shadow on Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan just as the US-Iran relations should not adversely affect Afghanistan's relations with Iran. He underlined that friendly relations with the principal neighbours was in the interest of all.

FINANCE MINISTER: The Afghan foreign minister was all praises for Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and called him a friend of Afghanistan. He credited Mr Aziz with the groundwork for various aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. In this context he also acknowledged efforts made by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri.

GAS PIPELINE: Dr Abdullah said during his talks at the Foreign Office on Tuesday he proposed to hold a seminar on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Gas Pipeline project and invite representatives of international companies. He believed Afghanistan had reached the level of security required for initiation of such a project.

While conceding that the pipeline project would require additional security measures he observed absolute security couldn't be guaranteed anywhere. His view was that insecurity could occur anytime, anywhere. While stating that Herat was secure, he admitted that Kandhar and Helmand were still the strongholds of Taliban.

PAKISTANI DETAINEES: Dr Abdullah said that a major cause of delay in release of Pakistani detainees in Afghanistan had been their open declaration that they would strike again. "This is something we all have to deal with," he said hinting at the challenge Pakistan would have to face on their return. He said they would be released soon but did not give any timeframe.

RECONSTRUCTION: He said while the international community had made aid commitments Afghanistan needed more help in its reconstruction efforts. "We do not mean to be disrespectful but we expect more help," he stated.

Dr Abdullah categorically stated that Afghanistan had not yet reached the level to stand on its own and declined to give a timeline for that. "I am very lazy when it comes to marking points of time," he said smilingly.