| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| Pakistan, Afghanistan Underway Talks Deal With Insurgents |
| 2010-06-20 |
| [Quqnoos] Afghanistan and Pakistan are talking about how to make peace with insurgents fighting US troops in Afghanistan, reports say The discussions reflect the beginnings of a thaw in relations between Kabul and Islamabad, which is increasingly focused on shaping the aftermath of what they fear, could be a more abrupt withdrawal of US troops than is now anticipated. At Pakistan's suggestion, Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, the chief of Pakistan's powerful intelligence agency, made an unprecedented trip to Kabul last month to discuss with Afghan President a wide range of possible cooperation, including mediating with Pakistan-based insurgents. The previously undisclosed visit came as the United States, gradually warming to the idea of reconciliation with insurgents, encourages improved relations between the two governments, which have long viewed each other with suspicion. Haqqani's adoption in recent years of suicide bombings and complex urban assaults has made his faction, based in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal area, a top threat to military gains and political stability in Afghanistan. The CIA and US military think that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency retains links with, and possibly assists, Haqqani, and they have pressed Pakistan to target his sanctuaries. The remarks come as Pakistani officials deny that they support Haqqani, who they say spends much of his time in Afghanistan. |
| Posted by:Fred |