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| India-Pakistan |
| U.S. concerned about possible Pakistan-Taliban talks |
| 2008-04-24 |
| (Xinhua) -- The United States is concerned about a possible peace agreement between the Pakistani government and Taliban militants along the border with Afghanistan, the White House said Wednesday. "We are concerned about it and what we encourage them to do is to continue to fight against the terrorists and to not disrupt any security or military operations that are ongoing in order to help prevent a safe haven for terrorists there," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters. Perino made the remarks as Pakistan's new government pledged to adopt multi-dimensional measures to deal with extremism and terrorism, including talks with the militants who lay down their arms. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a border of 2,400 km. Many militants fled to Pakistan's tribal areas after U.S.-led troops ousted the Taliban regime in 2001. Contrary to the U.S. stand, European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Javier Solana has voiced his support for Pakistan to hold talks with Taliban militants. "It is up to the country to give benefit to those who want to contribute to the well-being of the country by participating in a dialogue which is under the umbrella of the Constitution of the country," Solana told reporters Tuesday in Islamabad, Pakistan. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 This Will Happen: Waiting for the Barbarians What are we waiting for, assembled in the forum? The barbarians are to arrive today. Why such inaction in the Senate? Why do the Senators sit and pass no laws? Because the barbarians are to arrive today. What laws can the Senators pass any more? When the barbarians come they will make the laws. Why did our emperor wake up so early, and sits at the greatest gate of the city, on the throne, solemn, wearing the crown? Because the barbarians are to arrive today. And the emperor waits to receive their chief. Indeed he has prepared to give him a scroll. Therein he inscribed many titles and names of honor. Why have our two consuls and the praetors come out today in their red, embroidered togas; why do they wear amethyst-studded bracelets, and rings with brilliant, glittering emeralds; why are they carrying costly canes today, wonderfully carved with silver and gold? Because the barbarians are to arrive today, and such things dazzle the barbarians. Why don't the worthy orators come as always to make their speeches, to have their say? Because the barbarians are to arrive today; and they get bored with eloquence and orations. Why all of a sudden this unrest and confusion. (How solemn the faces have become). Why are the streets and squares clearing quickly, and all return to their homes, so deep in thought? Because night is here but the barbarians have not come. And some people arrived from the borders, and said that there are no longer any barbarians. And now what shall become of us without any barbarians? Those people were some kind of solution. Constantine P. Cavafy (1904) |
| Posted by: bruce 2008-04-24 17:31 |
| #1 What's going to happen when the EUnichs run out of people to surrender to? |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2008-04-24 14:27 |