Kasuri, Karzai look ways to curb terror

KABUL—Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri on Thursday called on Afghan President Hamid Karzai and discussed bilateral matters including security issues, reconstruction, trade and closer cooperation in the war against terrorism.
The Foreign Minister who is on a two-day visit to Kabul is to hold a formal round of talks with his Afghan counterpart Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta on Friday with a focus on holding a Loya Jirga of tribals living along their border.
The idea of the jirga came up during the meeting of President Pervez Musharraf with President Hamid Karzai, at an Iftar-Dinner hosted by President George Bush in White House earlier this year. Foreign Minister Kasuri after meeting the Afghan President told newsmen that he had an “open and frank discussion” during which he also apprised him about the measures taken by the government in curbing terrorism and the agreement signed with the tribals to bring peace to the bordering areas.
They also spoke of the need to have increased cooperation particularly in trade and economy, which already has seen significant improvement over the past few years. They also agreed to discuss measures to further strengthen cooperation in this regard and stressed the need for an atmosphere of peace and security.
The Afghan President also acknowledged Pakistan’s role in the reconstruction to rebuild the war ravaged country. Kasuri said the two-hour long meeting with the Afghan President was held in a cordial atmosphere and they discussed in detail all issues relating to the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kasuri conveyed good wishes to President Hamid Karzai from President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. President Karzai reciprocated the sentiments.
Kasuri earlier met his Afghan counterpart and discussed matters of mutual interest. Dr Spanta particularly mentioned Pakistan’s role in the war against terrorism and appreciated the measures to strengthen security and to bring peace in the region.
Foreign Minister Kasuri’s visit has been described as part of regular contacts between the two countries and aims at bringing peace to the bordering areas. His visit will also be a follow up on the Washington discussion between the three leaders.
The two foreign ministers will also address a press conference at the end of their talks. Pakistan will not accept any solution to Kashmir issue that is not acceptable to the Kashmiri people, said foreign minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri here.
He said that the proposals of President Musharraf for the solution of the long dispute between India and Pakistan were neither new nor surprising for the Kashmiris. Kasuri expressed these views in a state-run TV channel programme. He said that what President Musharraf said was not new; however, it depends on media how it present it. “President Musharraf’s statement is crystal clear that is demilitarization, self governance, redrawing of boundaries, joint administration and joint mechanism that include the three parties; India, Pakistan and Kashmir,” he added.—Agencies