Positive ground and foundation

Jan.28, 2007

Positive ground and foundation



CAUTIOUS optimism are the two key words to describe the outcome of this week's meeting between Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Afghan leader Hamid Karzai. The two leaders, who have been criticising each other for "not doing enough" to check militancy, appear to have reached the conclusion that their co-operation holds the answer to the common problem of militancy both face, particularly among the unruly tribes living on their border.
Kabul had been accusing Islamabad of not preventing Taliban militants being trained and armed in Pakistan and sent across the border to attack Afghan security forces and the 60,000 international troops working with them.For its part, Islamabad, which has deployed 90,000 soldiers on the frontier, accused Kabul of not pressing for the enhanced deployment of Afghan and international troops the 2,500-kilometre border to stop infiltration by militants.
Pakistan and Afghanistan have witnessed a sharp escalation of violence, with some 6,000 people killed in the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan in 2007 while nearly 800 people died in militant attacks in Pakistan.
In a highly positive note, Musharraf announced after Wednesday's meeting that he and Karzai had developed "a strong understanding of each other's problems" and that they had also agreed on sharing intelligence information to fight "this menace of extremism and terrorism which is destroying both our countries."
Similar expressions also came from Karzai, indicating what could be a major breakthrough for both countries in their fight against militancy. "People in both the countries are suffering -- suffering a lot," Karzai said. "And it is incumbent upon us — the leadership of the two countries, the governments — to find ways to bring peace and stability to each home, each family, in both countries."
In order to convert their understanding of each other's problems into result-oriented action, both need work on the domestic front because some of their problems are internal. Both face difficult political situations at home that need careful handling. There are groups and individuals on both sides who do not approve of their government's role in the post-Sept.11, 2001 fight against extremism, and many sympathise with the Taliban and Al Qaeda if only because of what they see as state apathy towards social injustice.
Clearly, tough tasks are ahead for Musharraf and Karzai. They have crossed the first hurdle of having to work out an understanding between themselves. Hopefully, they would be able to advance towards their goals with the same positive spirit that was evident during their latest encounter.