Military

DATE=07/24/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-305758

TITLE=PAKISTAN/AFGHANISTAN (L-ONLY)

BYLINE=AYAZ GUL

DATELINE=ISLAMABAD

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Top officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan are trying to come to terms with thorny problems stemming from their shared border. Pakistani troops are accused of capturing Afghan border territory and Afghanistan says fugitive Taleban are hiding in Pakistan and crossing the border to sabotage Afghanistan's reconstruction. As Ayaz Gul reports from Islamabad, the meetings have ended, but the differences persist.

TEXT: A high-level Afghan delegation led by Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali concluded two days of talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Faisal Saleh Hayat, aimed at improving strained relations.

The strain centers on two issues springing from their shared border.

Ever since the removal of the Islamic Taleban from power in Kabul in late 2001, U-S and Afghan officials have repeatedly alleged that outlaw Taleban are being sheltered in Pakistan and are crossing the border to sabotage Afghanistan's reconstruction.

Interior Minister Jalali says that most Afghans share this view.

/// JALALI ACT ///

They see people are coming from across the border to kill foreign workers who are helping the Afghans. They see that people are coming from across the border attacking Afghan targets, Afghan district headquarters and they go and escape across the border. People have questions about why this happens.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Jalali says he and Mr. Hayat also talked about recent border clashes between Afghan and Pakistani troops sparked by alleged incursions of Pakistan into Afghan territory.

He says a tripartite commission of security officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States is now investigating.

/// JALALI ACT ///

I am looking forward to the results of the observations of the situation there. But as far as the delegations of Afghanistan who went to the area, they said violations took place and there were some incursions inside Afghanistan territory.

/// END ACT ///

The alleged border dispute set off violent anti-Pakistan demonstrations in Afghanistan and the ransacking of Islamabad's embassy in Kabul early this month. No one was hurt, but Afghan President Hamid Karzai apologized and paid damages.

Pakistani Interior Minister Hayat dismissed allegations that Pakistan is harboring fugitive Taleban and members of al-Qaida terrorist network.

/// REST OPT ///

/// HAYAT ACT ///

Pakistan does not allow anyone, any group, any individual to operate from Pakistani soils. We have given that assurance to the interior minister of Afghanistan, and we will be coming down with a heavy hand on any such thing.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Hayat also refuted charges that Pakistani troops committed border violations during anti-terrorism operations in areas bordering eastern Afghanistan.

Afghanistan's Interior Minister Jalali says an intense search is on to try to capture Taleban leader Mullah Omar and al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

/// JALALI ACT ///

They are wanted by the anti-terrorism international coalition. So it is not Afghanistan only, all members of the international coalition are interested to do this. They are probably alive and I cannot say that they are in Afghanistan, probably not in Afghanistan.

/// END ACT ///

The whereabouts of Mullah Omar and terror mastermind bin Laden are not known but they are widely suspected to be hiding in border regions of Pakistan along with several top aides.

Speaking to reporters flanked by Mr. Hayat, Mr. Jalali said discussions focused on ways to curb terrorism and drug trafficking, and bilateral trade. Also on Thursday, the interior ministers discussed the possible release of nearly 700 Pakistanis being held in Afghanistan jails. (SIGNED)

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