Afghan TV Highlights NATO Chief’s Call for Afghan-Pakistan Talks

Text of report by privately-owned Afghan Ariana TV on 21 February

[Presenter] NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer held a meeting with Afghan President Hamed Karzai on Thursday [21 February]. In a joint press conference with President Karzai, Scheffer told the media that Afghanistan was dealing with more challenges than in the past and that they need joint efforts to remove these challenges.

[Correspondent] Although Scheffer described the challenges facing Afghan and NATO troops as difficult, he said Afghan forces were now equipped with modern facilities and received training. He went on to say that they should continue their efforts to surmount the problems. Scheffer said 50,000 NATO and ISAF troops were involved in bringing security in Afghanistan and that 8,700 additional troops were going to join these forces.

The NATO secretary-general rejected rumours about poor management in Afghanistan, describing them as false. Emphasizing the need to increase counter-terrorism efforts, he called for talks with Pakistan.

[Jaap de Hoop Scheffer in English with superimposed Dari translation] I believe those groups that destabilize the situation in Pakistan will be able to destabilize the situation in Afghanistan, too. So, we need to fight these groups. It is clear that there are problems on both sides of the Durand Line. At the moment, therefore, negotiations between the two countries are a priority.

[Correspondent] President Hamed Karzai has told journalists that the NATO presence has guaranteed stability in the country. He also emphasized the serious fight against terrorism.

[Hamed Karzai in English with superimposed Dari translation] It [terrorism] is a global threat and we need to fight it and to continue our efforts for a long period.

[Correspondent] Representing 26 NATO nations, the secretary- general is paying a visit to Kabul to meet Afghan leaders. At least 140 people, most of them civilians, were killed in three executive explosions in Kandahar this week.

Originally published by Ariana TV, Kabul, in Dari 1530 21 Feb 08.

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