Thursday, January 4, 2007

Karzai not behind Pakistan border plan

Karzai not behind Pakistan border plan By FISNIK ABRASHI Associated Press Writer

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- President Hamid Karzai said Thursday that Pakistan's proposal to selectively mine and fence parts of the border between the two countries will not stop the terrorism that plagues Afghanistan.

Karzai also acknowledged during a news conference with Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz that the relations between the two neighbors have hit a low point, saying the two countries will try to improve them in coming months. "Mining and fencing the border will not prevent terrorism, but it will divide the two nations," Karzai said of Pakistan's border proposal. Aziz said the plan, first unveiled last month, is still being considered as part of his country's drive to stop militants from crossing over and launching attacks against Afghan and foreign troops. "We are exploring many options, including fencing and mining selectively to discourage people from going across the border, people who are not welcomed on the other side," he told reporters after a three-hour meeting with Karzai.

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