Karzai backtracks on controversial Pakistan remarks

[Neo]

Karzai backtracks on controversial Pakistan remarks

AFPAFP – Mon, Oct 24, 2011

President Hamid Karzai sought to distance himself Monday from controversial remarks made in an interview in which he said Afghanistan would back Pakistan against the US if the two ever came to blows.

The presidential palace said Karzai's comments, made in an interview with private Pakistani television station Geo at the weekend, were "misinterpreted".

Karzai has said that his country would support Pakistan if it was attacked by either the United States or India.

"God forbid, If any time war erupts between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan," Karzai said in an interview aired late Saturday.

The prospect of all-out conflict between the US and Pakistan remains remote, despite strained relations in recent months, following the killing of Osama bin Laden by US commandos in a secret raid in a Pakistani garrison town.

Nevertheless the comments raised eyebrows among Western officials in Kabul allied to the 10-year campaign to keep the Taliban from returning to power.

Christopher Chambers, a NATO spokesman, told reporters in Kabul that "we all need to focus on much wider dialogue that's required for peace... and which the people of both countries mostly certainly want and certainly deserve."

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland would not comment directly on Karzai's remarks.

"It's not an issue because it's not going to happen," she said of the hypothetical war, quoting Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Karzai's office insisted the remarks were broadcast out of context.

"Pakistani media has misinterpreted it," said the president's deputy spokesman Seyamak Herawi.

"They only showed the first part when the president says Afghanistan will back Pakistan if there is a war."

Instead, the reference was to Afghanistan's willingness to house refugees from Pakistan in case of any conflict, in the way that millions of Afghans are given refuge across the border in Pakistan's northwestern frontier region.

"But in connection with the war on terrorism if there is a war on Pakistan, Afghanistan will not support that," he further stated.

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have long been tested, with Karzai recently accusing his neighbour of playing a "double-game" with Afghan insurgents fighting the US-led war effort who hold bases across the border.

In the Geo interview, Karzai also sought to assuage Pakistani fears over US influence in the region following the drawdown of Western combat forces by the end of 2014 and restated his demands for a long term US partnership.

Afghanistan's conditions for a US deal include that American troops must not enter Afghan homes, implying that they should end controversial night raids in pursuit of Taliban targets that have caused many civilian casualties.

Karzai backtracks on controversial Pakistan remarks - Yahoo! News

[Neo]

Karzai's thought of US-Pak war 'ridiculous, preposterous': Musharraf

Washington, Oct 27(ANI): Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf has termed Afghan President Hamid Karzai's controversial statement that his county would stand by Pakistan in case the United States attacked it, as 'preposterous'.

"God forbid, if there is a war between Pakistan and US, Afghanistan would stand by Pakistan," Karzai had said in an interview with a Pakistani news channel last week.

Commenting on Karzai's remarks, Musharraf thanked the Afghan leader for giving a pro-Pakistan statement, but called the idea of war between the US and Pakistan 'ridiculous and preposterous'.

"Karzai's statement - first of all, let me thank him, for the first time, giving a pro-Pakistan statement. But, however, the statement that he will support Pakistan against United States is most preposterous, I would say. I find this idea itself very preposterous," Musharraf said at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

"Is he visualizing some kind of war between the United States and Pakistan? It's ridiculous and preposterous. The thought of it is preposterous. So therefore, I wouldn't like to even answer this; I find this a very, very strange idea. Who has propounded this idea? And God forbid, I mean, this can never happen. So why comment?" he added.

Musharraf also urged Karzai to focus on taking on Afghan militant groups instead of announcing his country's support to Pakistan.

"And thank you very much. Please look after the Taliban and al-Qaida; that is enough. Don't support Pakistan. Pakistan will look after itself," the former president said. (ANI)

Karzai's thought of US-Pak war 'ridiculous, preposterous': Musharraf - Yahoo!

[Lady Macbeth]

Billi ko cheechray.......?? (a cat drooling over some lard while dreaming)

Seems to me that Karzai secretly wishes/hopes that the US and Pakistan might wage it out soon.

[vinod2070]

Originally Posted by Lady Macbeth

Billi ko cheechray.......?? (a cat drooling over some lard while dreaming)

Seems to me that Karzai secretly wishes/hopes that the US and Pakistan might wage it out soon.

I have seen many Pakistanis just waiting for a chance to teach the USA a lesson as well.

There are many Zaid Hamid wannabe there.

[KayShah]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

I have seen many Pakistanis just waiting for a chance to teach the USA a lesson as well.

There are many Zaid Hamid wannabe there.

They are few not many..! but could you elaborate reasons you think as we are fighting against the same enemy that is *extremism* ??

Thanks

[vinod2070]

Originally Posted by Kazim Shah

They are few not many..! but could you elaborate reasons you think as we are fighting against the same enemy that is *extremism* ??

Thanks

No reasons as such. It is just coming from the comments of some people on the forums and even some newspaper opinions.

Yes, extremism is a common enemy and I am glad many Pakistanis are realizing that.

[KayShah]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

No reasons as such. It is just coming from the comments of some people on the forums and even some newspaper opinions.

Yes, extremism is a common enemy and I am glad many Pakistanis are realizing that.

Right! Every in this region is realizing and fighting extremism within their boundaries ! As it exist in different faces so weapons may be different.

Thanks.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

I have seen many Pakistanis just waiting for a chance to teach the USA a lesson as well.

There are many Zaid Hamid wannabe there.

US' image is getting worse in Pakistan day by day and with those drone attacks and meddling in Pakistani affairs you can't blame our people if they don't see America as a friendly country anymore. But there's a huge gap between few thousand internet warriors and 180 million Pakistan's who don't support terror or war. Yes, few ran to the streets to celebrate 9/11, even more will do so if it was ever repeated but does it make us terrorists? No, I believe in "you sow what you reap". And when you burn your fingers, there will always be some who'll see it as justice.

I think the majority of people would want USA to stop aiding Pakistan, it lands in the pockets of politicians anyway and never reaches the poor man. Nor have we seen any big contructions or industrial projects aided by USA.
We think that we're better off without USA as an ally or even close friend...

[vinod2070]

I agree. As you sow, so you reap.

Unfortunately, Pakistani innocents are reaping the fruits of the decades when Pakistan was so gung ho on terror groups and using terrorists as a state policy.

We all know that they used to openly collect money in markets (and people would gladly pay up). And this money was used to kill innocents in India and other places. The likes of LET and JEM and others Lashkars and Jaish.

That terror and extremism has cost the whole region and the world dear.

[Lady Macbeth]

Originally Posted by vinod2070

We all know that they used to openly collect money in markets (and people would gladly pay up). And this money was used to kill innocents in India and other places.

You have some proof on that absurd claim of yours?......or should we take our tin foil hats out?