May 18, 2008	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1429

WASHINGON, May 17: Afghanistan has joined the growing chorus in Washington against Pakistan’s peace efforts in the tribal areas, urging it to abandon its talks with militants.

In a breakfast meeting with reporters, Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad said Pakistan’s attempt to arrange a ‘separate peace’ with militants was a cause of concern for Afghanistan.

“To us, the intention doesn’t matter very much, frankly. It is the consequences, the outcome,” he said.

“We know from experience in the past that the outcome of these kinds of separate peace deals, without including provisions for cross-border infiltrations, will lead to further violence against Afghans, Nato and coalition forces.”

The ambassador’s complaint against the peace talks echoes those of senior US officials who have expressed similar concerns, although so far Washington has not asked Pakistan to abandon the talks.

“We understand that these recent negotiations are part of the process of bringing security and stability to the tribal areas,” a State Department official told Dawn.

“However, outcomes are what matter.”

The official described the desired outcome as “end to Al Qaeda and Taliban activity, end to training suicide bombers and end to cross-border attacks.”