Karzai worried about Pakistani deals with Taliban

Australian News.Net
Saturday 31st May, 2008

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has expressed anxiety about Pakistan's deal with Taliban militants and warned that Kabul will 'not only be upset but extremely angry' if the agreement compromises his country's interests.

If the agreement with the Taliban in North West Frontier Province that borders Afghanistan impinges on his country's vital interests, Karzai said he would take it up with the civilian leadership in Pakistan.

Speaking to CNN, he said: 'That should not happen. That is certainly something we are concerned about and we hope our brothers in Pakistan will not allow that.'

When asked whether he was apprehensive that the deal between Pakistan government and Taliban could come at the cost of Afghanistan, he said: 'We cannot, under any circumstances, allow elements that are inimical to this country or that to operate from either country.'

It was Karzai’s said first interview after the recent attempt on his life in Kabul.

Karzai, however, said he had no objection to peace deals with those Taliban militants who want to return to a normal life, but talks with 'the hardcore ones, the extremist Al Qaeda elements or other terrorist networks ... that is wrong.'

Scathingly critical of reported moves by Pakistan to hold talks with Taliban leader Beitullah Mehsud, a prime accused in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto last year, Karzai said: 'Talks with the killers of Benazir Bhutto, whosoever they are, I think it is wrong.'

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