News
Tuesday, December 06, 2011
Pakistan’s role crucial in Afghanistan: ClintonBONN: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday that it was “unfortunate” Pakistan boycotted the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan, but said that Islamabad still had a crucial role to play. “I think it was unfortunate that they did not participate,” Clinton told a press conference on the sidelines of the Bonn Conference, adding that it would have been better if the country had attended. “We regret the choice that they made because today’s conference was an important milestone toward the kind of security and stability that is important for Pakistan as well as for Afghanistan,” she said. “We continue to believe that Pakistan has a crucial role to play,” she said, adding that she was encouraged by remarks by a Pakistani government official that it would continue cooperation, including in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan announced its decision to boycott the conference after a NATO air attack that killed two dozen Pakistani soldiers along the Afghan border. US officials are investigating the incident. At the conference, designed in part to bolster long-term regional support for Afghanistan’s still fragile economy and security, Clinton also warned that all neighbours would lose if Afghanistan again became a source of instability and insurgent violence. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk