Pak calls for Counter Terrorism Operations with Afghanistan

Pakistan Tribune ^ | 16 March 2006 | Staff

[Racehorse]

"Pakistan will not countenance any violation of these principles", emphasized the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, Ambassador Munir Akram Tuesday while addressing the United Nations Security Council during its debate on "the Situation in Afghanistan."

Ambassador Akram said the joint counter-terrorism operations must be conducted with full adherence to the principles of international law, including those incorporated in the Kabul Declaration, regarding respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference. Pakistan will not countenance any violation of these principles.

We fully support the continuation of the important role of the United Nations in Afghanistan. We also support the international security assistance for Afghanistan, he said.

"We wish to congratulate President Karzai and the fraternal people of Afghanistan on these achievements. There are also, unfortunately, many outstanding challenges that remain to be overcome - especially security, narcotics, crime, warlordism and development. The Afghanistan Compact, adopted at the London Conference, has endorsed a comprehensive plan to address these challenges to restore peace and security and build prosperity in Afghanistan. The commitments undertaken by the Afghan government and its international partners under the Compact will, we hope, be fulfilled", he said.

Ambassador Akram said Pakistan and Afghanistan enjoy a close and symbiotic relationship rooted in geography, history, shared ethnicity and a common faith. Our destinies are inextricably linked. Peace in Afghanistan reinforces peace and tranquility in Pakistan. Peace in Afghanistan will enable both nations to serve as the bridge for trade and commerce between Central Asia, South Asia and beyond. The success of the endeavours for peace and prosperity in Afghanistan is therefore vital for Pakistan.

We have captured over 600 Al-Qaeda terrorists most of whom infiltrated into Pakistan after 9/11. We have acted resolutely against Taliban terrorism, in accordance with the provisions of Security Council resolution 1267. We have deployed over 80,000 troops on our Western border with Afghanistan to prevent the infiltration or ex-filtration by Al-Qaeda and other terrorists, he said.

Concurrently, we are investing in infrastructure and socio-economic developments of these so far unsettled frontier regions. Pakistan has also launched major military operations in some of our tribal areas to eliminate the presence of foreign terrorists and their supporters. Over 600 Pakistani soldiers have lost their lives in the 75 operations conducted by Pakistani security forces. And may I remind that these casualties are larger than all of those suffered by the coalition and other forces in Afghanistan. No one can, therefore, question our commitment and determination to succeed in defeating terrorism.

A comprehensive approach is required to address the challenges of terrorism and criminal violence and insurgency in Afghanistan. The terrorist and violent incidents in Afghanistan are taking place in not only the South or South-East but in various other parts of the country. They can be prevented by effective action within Afghanistan by the Afghan national and international coalition forces. To ensure success, the root causes of such violence - extremism, warlord-ism, the narcotics trade, local rivalries - will all need to be addressed patiently and sincerely. The failure to do so cannot be externalized.

"Certainly, border security and control is essential to prevent infiltration into Pakistan for Afghanistan of terrorists or violent criminals. Pakistan has, as I said, deployed 80,000 troops to do so on our side. A matching effort is required on the other side if the hammer and anvil strategy is to work. Moreover, this endeavour cannot succeed without close cooperation in intelligence sharing - and in real time. We can achieve this in the Tripartite Commission as well as through close and constant bilateral contacts", he said.

Pakistan has also decided to take additional actions. We will fence parts of the border to reinforce interdiction by our forces. We will also seek to eliminate terrorist elements who may be located in Afghan refugee camps and elsewhere among the refugee population, Akram said.

Together with intelligence sharing, Pakistan expects its partners to enhance Pakistan’s capabilities for interdiction and counter-terrorism through provision of electronic and other equipment, especially additional helicopters, to enhance mobility and reaction time. Our requirements have been conveyed to our partners, he said.

[Joe Boucher]

And I call for another war between pakistan and India.
Go India, beat the hell out of pakistan.