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Published 30 Nov, 2001 12:00am

Coalition has no mission in Pakistan: envoy

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Coalition spokesperson Kenton Keith on Thursday said that the coalition did not have operational mission in Pakistan.

There are no coalition objectives in Pakistan, ambassador Keith said at his daily briefing when his comments were sought on a report that some British troops were on a search mission in a part of Balochistan near the Afghan border.

The coalition had decided to respect the policy of the British government not to comment on the activities of British special forces, he further said.

He clarified that there were some incidents of bombs falling inside Pakistan territory near the Afghan border but that was not the coalition objective. It just happened because the operation was being carried out so close to the Pakistan border.

When asked whether the coalition would chase fleeing Taliban or Al Qaeda leaders into Pakistan, Mr Keith replied in negative. Pakistan, he said, was an active, enthusiastic and effective member of the coalition. Pakistan authorities, he added, were perfectly capable of guarding their borders and that is their responsibility.

About massive killings in Spin Boldak, Mr Keith said when or wherever summary execution would take place coalition would condemn it. There is no place for summary executions or atrocities.

However, he said, the coalition didn’t have information about the killing of Taliban in Spin Boldak. “What we have learnt about the incident is that a Pakhtoon anti-Taliban group has killed the Taliban (men) there and not the Northern Alliance.”

About Mulla Omar’s statement that coalition was waging a war against Islam, Mr Keith replied to say this was a war against Islam was a lie.—APP

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