http://www.pakistantimes.net/2007/02/01/top6.htm
Pakistan an important partner in War against Terrorism: NATO Chief
By Tariq Bashir 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent
BRUSSELS, (Belgium): SecretarSecretary General NATO Jaap De Hoop
Ssheffer. [File Photo]y General NATO Jaap De Hoop Ssheffer, terming
Pakistan an important partner in the war against terrorism, has called
for an end to the “blame game” and stepping up efforts by all the
stakeholders to bring peace to the region.
He was addressing a joint press conference after meeting Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz here at NATO headquarters here.
Both said the focus of their talks was the situation in Afghanistan and
it was agreed that all sides have to do more.
The discussions covered efforts to bring peace and stability to
Afghanistan, where NATO is leading with a 32,000 international security
assistance force, ISAF.
They said success in Afghanistan required a sustained, comprehensive
approach involving economic, political and military elements.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in the context of Afghanistan “all
sides are committed to a strong, stable, peaceful Afghanistan. That is
important for peace in South Asia, for peace in that region, and peace
in the world.”
The Secretary General NATO termed Pakistan “part of the solution, as
much as NATO and Afghanistan are part of the solution.”
Rejecting any military answer in Afghanistan he said situation in
Afghanistan can be better addressed if all agree that “let’s all do more
than we have done up till now.”
“The answer in Afghanistan reads development, reconstruction, where by
the way Pakistan also plays a role,” he added.
The Secretary General said NATO and Pakistan have set up a number of
mutually beneficial military-to-military contacts and will also expand
political dialogue.
Pakistan and NATO have been steadily increasing cooperation since
October 2005, when NATO launched a large operation to help victims of
the devastating earthquake that struck the country.
The Prime Minister said both NATO and Pakistan have shared objectives to
influence the destiny of their people and share a desire for peace,
progress and prosperity.
He said, “Pakistan is committed to a strong, stable Afghanistan. We
believe that the one country which will benefit the most after
Afghanistan itself, if peace is ensured, will be Pakistan.”
He said Pakistan has in the past and will pay the highest price for a
destabilized Afghanistan.
“That is why we have shared objectives. And shared objectives can help
us lead towards peace and progress,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that in his discussions he pointed at the
presence of three million Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who need to return.
He also discussed the level of drug production in Afghanistan and
pointed at the nexus it was creating between drug money and terrorism.
“This represents a threat for the whole world,” he added.
Aziz said, “Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to be supported by the
world community in terms of market access, in terms of assistance etc to
create jobs, to improve their economies and of course contribute to
peace in the region.”
To a question, the Secretary General NATO denied any pressure on
Pakistan as both NATO and Pakistan have working relationship and were
cooperating in the war against terrorism with a joint mission to improve
security in the region.
“We have to win hearts and minds,” he added. Prime Minister Aziz called
for a holistic approach and said the world should take more effective
measures to speed up economic development and stop poppy cultivation in
Afghanistan.
“This holistic approach includes a security dimension, a military
dimension, an economic and development dimension, a refugee dimension,”
the Prime Minister said and added that all these aspects need to be
addressed.
The NATO Secretary General said there is need to have increased levels
of communication among various forces and elements working in Afghanistan.
He said Pakistan is an important partner of NATO and playing its part to
ensure peace in the region. He said there is big challenge before the
people and there is a need to use hearts and minds to find the solution
to the problem and ensure peace and security.
Shaukat Aziz said, “We are committed and doing what needs to be done for
the security and stability of Afghanistan.”
He said Pakistan will continue to do what has to be done to ensure
security and peace in Afghanistan.●
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