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Afghans demonstrate in support of Karzai’s threat

Hundreds of Afghans demonstrated in support of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s threat to send troops against Taliban militant leaders in Pakistan. Across the border, Pakistan summoned the Afghan ambassador and said it would “defend its territorial sovereignty.”

Afghan tribesmen, elders and clerics gathered in at least four cities in eastern Afghanistan — where Karzai’s support is strongest — with many saying they were ready to respond to their president’s call and take up arms.

“We are ready to defend our homeland,” said Malik Majid, an elder from Afghanistan’s Urgan district in Paktika Province, near the border.

“We strongly condemn Pakistan’s interference in our country ... It’s our responsibility to protect the territorial integrity of Afghanistan,” he said.

US President George W. Bush, speaking in London, said the US can help calm the “testy situation.” He did not endorse Karzai’s threat to send Afghan troops into Pakistan.

Bush said the mission for the US remains to deny safe haven to extremists who want to kill innocent people.

Karzai on Sunday threatened to send Afghan troops to target Taliban leaders Mullah Omar and Baitullah Mehsud in Pakistan.

The threat — the first time Karzai has said he would send forces into Pakistan — comes only days after a sophisticated Taliban assault on Kandahar’s prison freed 870 prisoners, including hundreds of Taliban militants.

In response to Karzai’s statement, Pakistan yesterday called in Afghan Ambassador Mohammed Anwar Anwarzai to lodge a protest.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi described Karzai’s statement as “threatening” and “regrettable.”

Qureshi said he would make “it absolutely clear that Pakistan shall defend its territorial sovereignty.”

Although Kabul appeared unlikely to follow through on the threat, the spat marked a new low in relations between the two countries.

Karzai has long pleaded with Pakistan and the international community to confront Taliban safe havens in tribal areas, and US officials have increased their warnings in recent weeks that such sanctuaries must be dealt with.

A spokesman for Pakistan’s Taliban movement has warned of an escalation in Taliban attacks against NATO and Afghan forces if Karzai sends forces across the border. He also said the Afghan army would face defeat at the hands of thousands of tribal fighters.
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