By NNN-APP
London : The British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has termed the relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan as crucial to fighting war on terrorism and has welcomed Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s commitment to countering extremism on top priority.
In his keynote address titled ‘From Global Empire to Global Hub’ delivered at the Easter banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor of London at the Mansion House, he expressed hope that this commitment will herald a deeper cooperation between the two nations.
“Because unless there is agreement on how to address the Taliban, Al Qaeda and other insurgents, the two countries risk shunting the problem back and forth across the border,” he said.
Speaking about the challenges facing the international community, he said the first great challenge is the rise of international terrorism influenced by Al Qaeda in a world where weapons proliferation is a serious threat.
“Countering terrorism means not just denying terrorists safe havens from which to mount attacks against us. It means countering the grievances and the ideologies that attract people to terrorist messages. There is work for us here both at home and overseas, but Afghanistan is a priority. It will be the focus of the NATO summit in Bucharest later this week.”
Ruling out a military solution, Miliband said the military can only provide the space for the reconstruction and development without which progress will be temporary. He spoke about the need of building Afghan Police and the Army and said unless people feel secure from kidnapping, extortion and ambushes, their loyalty towards the state will always be weak.
Urging the international community, particularly the European Union, he said it can do more to support the Afghan Government and this will be discussed in Bucharest.
The Foreign Secretary noted that if Afghanistan can develop effective local not just national governance, people can reconcile differences through politics rather than force.
“ That is why we are supporting the Afghan government’s efforts to reform local government, building on the creation of almost 20,000 community development councils, which plan, manage and monitor development projects, such as rural roads, wells and schools.”
On Tibet issue, he urged both sides to come to the negotiating table. “With the Olympics this year China is going to stay in the news. We want to support and see a successful Olympics, as part of China’s re-engagement with the world.”