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Afghans show support to Karzai
Hundreds of Afghans gathered in eastern Afghanistan on Monday to express support for President Hamid Karzais threat to send troops after Taliban militants inside Pakistan. About 1,500 people including tribal elders and pro-government religious leaders gathered in Sharan, the capital of Paktika province, to back Karzai, provincial government spokesman Ghamai Khan Mohammadyar said. Muhammad Akram Akhpelwak, Paktikas governor, said gatherings of support were also being held in three other areas of Paktika, AP reported. Tribal chief Amin Jan told AFP from Sharan by telephone: We support Karzai. Pakistanis are coming to Afghanistan and we have evidence.
Analysts said they doubt military action by Afghanistan is imminent, but Pakistans prime minister said the threat will not be taken well. A spokesman for NATOs International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said he would not comment. But another ISAF official said he thought Karzais comments should be seen as a reflection of frustration with militant safe havens but not as a sign that an attack is imminent. Karzais comments raise the spectre that a US-trained Afghan military could be used to attack Pakistan. The ISAF official dismissed that idea. Posted by: Fred 2008-06-17 |
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