Solution to insurgency: talks to be held with non-al Qaeda elements, says Karzai

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday that the use of force is not the sole solution to Afghan insurgency, and negotiation would be held with those who are not part of al Qaeda. Pakistan and Afghanistan also reiterated their resolve to jointly fight the menace of terrorism and expand trade and economic relations between the two countries.
This commitment was made at a joint press conference following the meeting between President Asif Zardari and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai here, as the latter arrived in Pakistan on his two-day official visit along with a large official entourage. Karzai said that terrorism is a common problem being faced by both countries and need joint efforts and combined strategy to get rid of the menace.
He said that terrorism is a reality and its bases are somewhere in both countries and it needs joint efforts to overcome the challenge. When asked about the grounds for allegations levelled by Afghan authorities that Pakistan's intelligence agencies are engaged in fanning insurgency in Afghanistan, Karzai said, "Actually, both countries are suffering at the hands of terrorists. The people attacking in Afghanistan or targeting innocent people in Pakistan are not coming from Ivory Coast or some other part of the world".
He said: "We are here to discuss all issues at length and to find ways and means to deal with the problems once for all." "Both countries needed to dismantle their sanctuary, basis and networks. These are the issues we have to discuss and resolve jointly," he added.
Karzai said that the Afghan government is engaged in fighting the militant networks including Taliban and al Qaeda. However, only use of force and military operation is not the solution of the burgeoning problem, and his government would engage those Taliban who are not part of al Qaeda and other sophisticated networks, and would abide by the Constitution of Afghanistan he added.
President Karzai said that Afghanistan would be committing a great wrong if it would allow any other country to use its territory against Pakistan. "It is not in the interest of Afghanistan... It is rather against the interest of Afghanistan. Please trust us...if you have some evidence in this regard, give it to us", he said.
About recent situation in Indian Held Kashmir, Karzai said he was ready to play his role if and when asked to do so. He said that Afghanistan has been enjoying good relations with India, which has been one of the main contributors in Afghan reconstruction. He said that both countries discussed wide-ranging issues covering economy and expansion of trade and business between the two countries. He also offered heartfelt sorrows to the brothers and sisters in Pakistan over disastrous floods.
President Zardari said that both countries have common cause and are suffering from the menace of terrorism and extremism. He added that both countries and the international community have to do much more to handle what he termed the 'cancer' of terrorism. Asif said that Pakistan stands against terrorism. "Democratic Pakistan is part of the solution... it is not part of the problem," he added.
Zardari said, "We have talked about future, of the coming generations and betterment of the people in Pakistan and Afghanistan". He condemned use of brutal force by Indian army in Occupied Kashmir against Kashmiri people. When asked about future of democracy in Pakistan in the context of rumours regarding change in the regime, Zardari said he would not comment on rumours, and added "We did not get democracy in a begging bowl, and got it after a long struggle, and we know how to protect it."