Military

DATE=11-14-03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= POWELL/AFGHANISTAN (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-309849

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Afghanistan's foreign minister, Abdullah Abdullah, wrapped up a Washington visit Friday with what he described as a "fruitful" meeting with Secretary of State Colin Powell. Mr. Abdullah says his government wants to see more action by Pakistan authorities against what he says are elements of Taleban operating out of northwestern Pakistan. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: Mr. Abdullah had pressed during his Washington visit for "meaningful" steps by Pakistan against remnants of the Taleban regime he said are making cross-border forays into Afghanistan from Pakistan's Northwestern Frontier province.

He took a softer tone in remarks after the half-hour meeting with Mr. Powell, hailing as "good news" what he said were stepped-up Pakistani security measures in the northwest, and action against al-Qaida terrorists. But he insisted that more cooperation is needed from the Islamabad government in dealing with the Taleban.

/// ABDULLAH ACTUALITY ///

The fact that Pakistan is a member of the coalition against terrorism, has arrested members of al-Qaida, it is very welcome news and very good news, and it's a major contribution in the war against terror. At the same time, what we are hoping is to see more cooperation, as far as the leaders of Taleban, which are active in Pakistan against stability in Afghanistan, that some measures are being taken against them, so they will not be able to create problems for Afghanistan and for the international community.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Abdullah would not say if he had asked Secretary Powell to intervene with Pakistan on the Taleban issue, but said security cooperation among the governments "needs enhancement in all aspects."

Pakistan has criticized remarks by Mr. Abdullah in Washington, saying that his allegations that Taleban forces are using Pakistani territory for raids into Afghanistan are baseless.

Mr. Abdullah said the meeting with Mr. Powell also covered the draft constitution for Afghanistan, unveiled in Kabul earlier this month, and illicit narcotics production in Afghanistan, which is he said is of "growing concern."

He said he found support from the Bush administration and the U-S Congress for an international conference on Afghan reconstruction, which he said he hopes can be held in a matter of a few months. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAG/PT/TW