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Friday, March 12, 2010
Pakistan must be partner in Afghan solutions: Miliband
* British foreign secretary says military successes will never be enough to end war
* Says it is time for political settlementWASHINGTON: Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan is close to the core of Islamabad’s national security interests and Pakistan must be a partner in finding solutions to Afghanistan’s problems, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said on Thursday.
He made these remarks while delivering a lecture on how to end the war in Afghanistan at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Miliband said Afghans must find a political solution to their problems and he sees a vital opportunity in expanding US-Pakistan partnership to address Islamabad’s concerns.
“There has been a significant change in Pakistan in the last 18 months under President Zardari’s civilian government. The reality and threat of domestic terrorism has brought new purpose to civilian and military leadership, and new consensus between leaders and people,” he noted.
As a result of Pakistani actions and coalition’s efforts on the Afghan side, he said it is now realistic to talk of complementary pressure on the Taliban on both sides of the border.
The British foreign secretary argued in favour of a regional cooperative effort towards Afghanistan’s solution. He said there needs to be a more honest acknowledgement of the different interests and concerns of Afghanistan’s neighbours, so that efforts could be made to provide reassurances.
“Pakistan is essential here as it holds keys to security and dialogue and should be a partner in finding solutions in Afghanistan.”
Pakistan will only act according to its own sense of its national interest, he remarked. “That is only natural. Pakistan’s relationship with Afghanistan is close to the core of its national security interests. Pakistan fears the establishment of a non-Pashtun Afghan National Army on their doorstep. It is perpetually worried about India’s relationship with Afghanistan as well”.
The British foreign secretary called for early and substantive political negotiations between the Afghanistan government and the Taliban and other insurgent groups, saying that military successes will never be enough to end the war. Miliband spoke as Pakistani leaders hosted talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and as top-level Pakistani political and military leaders prepared to hold a series of meetings in Washington on anti-militancy efforts, broader bilateral relationship and the way forward in Afghanistan. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk