Afghan border security
Don’t make Pakistan a whipping boy: President
By Our Special Correspondent

RAWALPINDI—President General Pervez Musharraf has reiterated Pakistan will not allow any one to use its soil for militancy.
He said this during his meeting with special representative of European Union (EU) Francis Sental who called on him here Friday, says a private TV channel. The meeting lasted one hour. They exchanged views in depth on Afghan government accusations against Pakistan and security situation on Pak-Afghan border. President Musharraf made it clear on the occasion that global forces particularly NATO, Afghanistan, ISAF and Pakistan forces will have to be convinced that it was common responsibility of all the three parties to control security situation.
Militancy is basically Afghanistan problem, he said adding Pakistan has already made it clear that Pakistan will not allow militants to use it soil for their activities. Pakistan has taken clear steps for bringing to end extremism and militancy, he added. About Afghan refugees return to home President said steps being taken by international community for repatriation of refugees to Afghanistan are not sufficient. It will have to take more steps in this regard, he stressed.
The EU representative appreciated the steps taken by the President general Pervez Musharraf on security situation and strengthening of harmony between the two countries. He reiterated that EU wants expansion of excellent cooperation and interaction between Pakistan and Afghanistan. INP Adds: President General Pervez Musharraf on Friday reiterating Pakistan’s commitment that its territory should not be used by militants urged the international community to do more to maintain peace in Afghanistan.
The president was talking to Special Representative of the European Union on Afghanistan Francese Venderell who called on him here today. During the meeting, in depth discussions were held on matters related to regional stability and security.
Views were exchanged extensively on the situation in Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan relations and Pakistan’s strategy in the tribal areas. Venderell was informed about the absolute necessity for all parties to understand the prevailing environment, recognise that order security was collective responsibility of Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF/NATO. Pakistan explained that the military problem was essentially an Afghan problem.
President Musharraf said Pakistan has taken all measures within its means to deal with the issue. The president also urged the international community to do more and facilitate repatriation of Afghan refugees back to their homeland. Venderell expressed understanding of Pakistan’s position stating that the western world was very much supportive of what the President Musharraf was doing for stabilising situation in the region.
He conveyed EU’s interest in facilitating better co-ordination between Pakistan and Afghanistan. They discussed matters related to regional stability, security, situation in Afghanistan, Pak-Afghan ties and government’s strategy in tribal areas of the country. Venderell was told of absolute necessity for all parties to understand prevailing environment, recognize that security was collective responsibility of Pakistan, Afghanistan and ISAF/NATO. President Musharraf said Pakistan has taken all measures within its means to deal with the issue. He asked international community to do more and facilitate repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland.