A file photo of Pakistani soldiers. PHOTO: fILE
ISLAMABAD:
The top US diplomat in Kabul on Tuesday advised the Afghan government to resolve border disputes with Pakistan through diplomatic channels, saying Washington will remain neutral in the bilateral issue.
Comments from US Ambassador to Afghanistan James Cunningham came just a day after the Afghan government sought Washington’s support against Pakistan’s alleged ‘rocket attacks’. Pakistan denies firing rockets into Afghanistan and insists that militants recently launched attacks in Bajaur Agency from the Afghan side of the border.
“We do not have precise information about the attacks and Washington will continue to encourage the two neighbours to resolve the issue through negotiations,” Ambassador Cunningham was quoted as saying.
On Monday, the Afghan foreign ministry launched a diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, approaching the US Embassy and saying Washington is bound to help Kabul counter ‘external threats’ under a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2012. However, the Afghan media reported on Tuesday that the US ambassador issued a formal response saying the issue should be resolved through diplomatic channels.
On Saturday, Pakistan military officials said nearly 200 Pakistani Taliban from Bajaur and Swat now operate from the Afghan side of the border, and had launched an attack on Pakistani border posts, killing a soldier and injuring several others. The army stated that 16 militants were killed in the attack.
Top security and foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan is ready to extend every possible help to Afghanistan in order to ensure a peaceful second round of elections on June 14. “We will be ready to offer any help that the Afghan side wants to hold the elections in a peaceful environment,” Aziz told The Express Tribune in Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (11)
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@First save kabul and kunar
Oh ya where did the sucide attack happen yesterday... another one just happening now...near pakistan capital. Go and save karachi, rawalpindi, khyber etc....
@Afghan: Thanks for your reminder about why it is time to deport Afghan refugees in Pakistan and send them off to their masters in India. My gardener is an Afghan refugee but comments like yours only makes me want to fire him but I would not do that to his family. This is the difference between Pakistani culture and Afghan culture.
Interfering in this dispute would be akin to trying to stop Taliban infighting - ain't going to happen.
@Afghan:
"If US doesnt do the job then we will start doing what you ppl have been doing…"
Please bring it on. Why ask US in the first place to do what you can do yourself? Anyone confident of one's own abilities doesn't look around for help -- oh, but wait a minute, you always needed help from Pakistan and USA while fighting against Soviets. You always needed help and shelter from Pakistan while fighting against USA. You always needed help from Pakistan for your food supplies and trade, and what else not. What an independent strong nation who comes to bite the very same people who helped them. First control your own territory and borders, and make sure no one attacks Pakistan from your side, and then complain.
I feel Pak and Ind should come closer. that way we will have one big entity . We can collectively ward off border " enemies " . But then .. thats just wishful thinking on my part.
@Afghan: After sheltering three and a half million refugees from ur country and feeling the brunt of all the quarters for all that long,and now u to hear this rubbish from u! It's off course right what another comment said about u!
@Afghan: Why don't you people go back to your home i.e Afghanistan? why should we bear your burden anymore? You have never been a nation and will never be one. Just ply your trade in your own country if there is one and leave Pakistan alone.
@Afghan: First save kabul and kunar. After that you will be able to complain border insecurity. By the way handover mullah fazal ul allah to pakistan who is living on your side.
That's pretty ironic coming from an Afghan knowing that Afghanistan has been (still is) US's lapdog for the last decade or so. Peace!
Well it is clear we asked US to command you not to repeat this since it appears that there is a master-slave relationship between USA and pakistan. If US doesnt do the job then we will start doing what you ppl have been doing...