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Blair, Karzai Press Pakistan on Cooperation on Taleban
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=16404FE:A6F02AD83191E1602497710CFC16F4DF9574F7DCC14957C0 Leaders discuss
increasing violence in Afghanistan during London talks





Tony Blair (l) with Hamid Karzai in front of British PM's residence in
London, 14 Feb 2007 British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Afghan
President Hamid Karzai are pressing Pakistan to cooperate in efforts
against Taleban forces.

Mr. Karzai said Wednesday that he sees what he called "signs of
cooperation" from Pakistan in defeating a Taleban insurgency in
Afghanistan. But both he and Mr. Blair said further coordination is
necessary.

The two leaders met in London Wednesday to discuss the increasing
violence in Afghanistan.

Afghan officials have repeatedly accused Pakistan of not doing enough
to stop militants from crossing into Afghanistan.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has acknowledged that Pakistani
border troops may be allowing Taleban and al-Qaida fighters to launch
cross border attacks in Afghanistan, but rejected allegations that the
military or intelligence agency was actively supporting militants.

Mr. Blair also said Britain is determined that the NATO mission in
Afghanistan will be successful.

Britain is the second largest provider of troops in Afghanistan, with
around 6,000 troops there now, and plans to deploy 800 more to the
region in the coming months.

Concern is mounting ahead of an expected Taleban offensive as the cold
weather season in Afghanistan ends. In the past, Taleban forces have
renewed attacks when temperatures warm and Afghanistan's mountain
snows melt.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.




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