..."There is a crucible of terrorism in the mountainous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan," Brown said. "Our approach to both countries is different but must be complementary. Our strategy for dealing with the breeding ground of terrorism will mean more security in the streets of Great Britain."...
The monthly meeting of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran is a good sign, but, with the 'unequal' national 'wealth of power' the talks could bring pressure on Afghanistan or the newly elected government in Pakistan that would be adverse to a peaceful outcome. The USA has an active interest in these meetings with troops on the ground and demands for the capture or death of Osama bin Laden and Mulla Omar; it should have a place at the table to insure human rights are upheld in these countries as Iran demonstrates its own inability to 'capture the understanding' of the concept.
I sincerely believe India, involved in Kashmir, is a vital partner to these talks as well.
"...the people accept or not accept, we never care there....beaten 20 times by the Taliban...I didn't feel humiliated, I just thought I'm going to die."
When the Taliban or any other terrorist organization CANNOT supply a stable homeland, food and water their influence will erode REGARDLESS of the oppressed posture of the people in their willingness to passively accept Sharia Law.
People flee across a bridge in Pakistan's Lower Dir district, where troops are confronting the Taliban. Photograph: Inam Khan/Reuters
This is such a 'flying' joke. The Taliban break the 'Swat Agreement' by NOT disarming, moving 'armed' into another region of Pakistan and now they are pouting because the Pakistan government has decided to defend the country's sovereignty from them.
Amazing. Poor little Taliban are losing their grip and they don't like it. What a shame.
Pakistan army assault strains Taliban peace deal (click here)
Army pounds militants in bid to break grip on region
Militant group's fighters told to 'prepare for jihad'
Declan Walsh in Islamabad
guardian.co.uk,
Monday 27 April 2009 16.52 BST
A controversial peace deal with the Taliban in Pakistan's Swat valley came under intense pressure today as the army continued its assault on guerrilla hideouts in a nearby district, bringing the reported death toll to nearly 50 after two days of fighting.
Thousands of villagers fled Lower Dir, a strategically located district along the Afghan border, as army helicopter gunships clattered overhead and artillery boomed across the hills.
A spokesman for Sufi Muhammad, a 78-year-old jihadi cleric who helped broker the February peace agreement between the government and the Taliban, announced he was suspending talks until the military offensive was over.
The army claimed to have killed 20 Taliban this morning on top of 26 yesterday. The Taliban claimed to have suffered just two fatalities and accused the army chief, General Ashfaq Kayani, of taking American "blood money".
"He has asked money from Mr Obama to kill his own nation," Muslim Khan, a Taliban spokesman, told the Guardian by phone from Swat....
Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan to meet monthly (click here)
Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:55pm EDT
Qureshi stresses indigenous solution to regional issuesAfghanistan, Iran, Pak discuss trilateral cooperation (click here)
Kabul—Pakistan has presented a draft joint-declaration on the framework for trilateral cooperation between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.
Speaking at the ministerial meeting underway in Kabul, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the draft framework can be placed before the second trilateral meeting of the heads of states of Economic Coordination Organization when they meet next month in Tehran. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran are holding their first trilateral ministerial meeting in Kabul to discuss a number of regional issues, including strategies to counter terrorism, narcotics and enhance relations between the three countries.
In his inaugural address, Foreign Minister Qureshi said Pakistan viewed the trilateral mechanism as an important plank of a holistic regional approach towards issues of development and stability in the region. Qureshi stresses the need for evolving indigenous prescription for lasting peace and stability in the region....
These meetings are a dream come true for Karzai. Immediately after the 2001 invasion into Afghanistan by the USA he asked for talks to open between the USA, Afghanistan and Iran.
The re-election bid by the current President Karzai is a wonderful chance at continuing stability. It will mean he should stay in the Presidency through the elections and occupy the vacancy that was to occur in May. It is wonderful news. President Karzai has managed to see Afghanistan through some very periless times. I doubt anyone else could.
Karzai confirms re-election bid (click here)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has confirmed publicly for the first time that he is going to stand for re-election in August.
Mr Karzai told a news conference in Kabul that he would register in a few days' time as a candidate.
The presidential election was to be held this month but was postponed due to security and logistics problems.
Mr Karzai has had a testing relationship with his Western allies over recent months.
There have been a number of high-profile differences....
