October 09, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 9, 1429

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 8: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday urged Pakistan and the United States to resolve the issue of American military raids into Pakistani territory in pursuit of militants, emphasising respect for the country’s sovereignty.

“I would … urge the parties concerned to resolve this issue, respect each other’s concerns as well as sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said in response to a question at his monthly press conference.

On the precarious situation in Afghanistan and growing calls for a political solution rather than a military one, Mr Ban said: “I believe that there is no perfect military option. I believe that there should be more political dialogue to resolve these issues ... This is desirable.”

At the same time, he said, there were realistic concerns regarding eradicating and fighting terrorism.

“That is why we need military operations. Therefore, military operations, political dialogue and political solutions should be … balanced. That is what we have been working on.”

The secretary-general said his special representative in Afghanistan, Kai Eide, had been given a coordinating role by the international community.

He expressed the hope that the Afghan government, with the help of the international community, would promote “more inclusive political dialogue with all the spectrum of Afghanistan and said that it should work to eradicate corruption prevalent in the country, including drug trafficking. “This is what the international community and the Afghanistan government should do”.

The secretary-general said: “Whenever I had a meeting with President [Hamid] Karzai,

I have emphasised these points: First strengthening the inclusive political dialogue, good governance and also strengthening their relationship with neighbouring countries, particularly with Pakistan. When I met President [Asif Ali] Zardari, I also emphasised this.”—APP