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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US defence chief in Taleban talks | US defence chief in Taleban talks |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has held talks with President Pervez Musharraf on ways to deal with a resurgent Taleban. | |
| US officials have said al-Qaeda leaders have found a secure hideout in Pakistan in order to rebuild the organisation. | US officials have said al-Qaeda leaders have found a secure hideout in Pakistan in order to rebuild the organisation. |
| Gen Musharraf has conceded that border security forces have been letting the Taleban cross into Afghanistan. | Gen Musharraf has conceded that border security forces have been letting the Taleban cross into Afghanistan. |
| Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,400-mile (2,250km) mountainous border which is extremely difficult to patrol. | Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 1,400-mile (2,250km) mountainous border which is extremely difficult to patrol. |
| Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters are thought to be operating on both sides. | Taleban and al-Qaeda fighters are thought to be operating on both sides. |
| This is Mr Gates' first visit to Pakistan since assuming his post in December. | This is Mr Gates' first visit to Pakistan since assuming his post in December. |
| Mr Gates travelled to Pakistan after four days of meetings in Spain and Germany on the war against terror in Afghanistan. | Mr Gates travelled to Pakistan after four days of meetings in Spain and Germany on the war against terror in Afghanistan. |
| 'Scapegoat | 'Scapegoat |
| The Afghan government and Nato forces have been critical of border security and called on Pakistan to do more to curb cross-border militant activity. | The Afghan government and Nato forces have been critical of border security and called on Pakistan to do more to curb cross-border militant activity. |
| "We cant be successful unless Pakistan is part of the equation in eliminating this insurgency," one unnamed Nato official was quoted as telling Reuters news agency ahead of Mr Gates' visit to Islamabad. | "We cant be successful unless Pakistan is part of the equation in eliminating this insurgency," one unnamed Nato official was quoted as telling Reuters news agency ahead of Mr Gates' visit to Islamabad. |
| The president has also come under fire for pacts with tribal militants in the North and South Waziristan areas. Critics say the deals give Taleban fighters based there freedom to go where they please. | The president has also come under fire for pacts with tribal militants in the North and South Waziristan areas. Critics say the deals give Taleban fighters based there freedom to go where they please. |
| Militants say they can move around the border area with impunity | Militants say they can move around the border area with impunity |
| On his part, Gen Musharraf has denied reports that his intelligence services were helping the Taleban and said his country was being made "a scapegoat" for the resurgence of Taleban-led militants. | On his part, Gen Musharraf has denied reports that his intelligence services were helping the Taleban and said his country was being made "a scapegoat" for the resurgence of Taleban-led militants. |
| He has said that Afghan authorities, and US and Nato-led troops in Afghanistan shared responsibility for the border. | He has said that Afghan authorities, and US and Nato-led troops in Afghanistan shared responsibility for the border. |
| There are currently around 33,000 troops from 37 nations in Afghanistan. | There are currently around 33,000 troops from 37 nations in Afghanistan. |
| Correspondents say that Afghanistan's lawless border regions with Pakistan is a major haven for international terrorism, and is the area where the Taleban are regrouping. | Correspondents say that Afghanistan's lawless border regions with Pakistan is a major haven for international terrorism, and is the area where the Taleban are regrouping. |
| The new Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Dan McNeill, says that 2,000 extra troops are needed to patrol the border with Pakistan. | The new Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen Dan McNeill, says that 2,000 extra troops are needed to patrol the border with Pakistan. |
| "I think we may see some changes along the border," General Banta Craddock, Nate's supreme commander, was quoted saying by the AFP news agency. | "I think we may see some changes along the border," General Banta Craddock, Nate's supreme commander, was quoted saying by the AFP news agency. |
| "They [Pakistani authorities] told me they are taking measures to address this and provide greater control." | "They [Pakistani authorities] told me they are taking measures to address this and provide greater control." |
| Last month, Mr Gates met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss ways of combating resurgent Taleban fighters. | Last month, Mr Gates met Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul to discuss ways of combating resurgent Taleban fighters. |