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Afghanistan peace jirga under way Afghanistan peace jirga under way
(about 1 hour later)
A three-day "peace jirga" or tribal council on combating the Taleban has begun in the Afghan capital, Kabul.A three-day "peace jirga" or tribal council on combating the Taleban has begun in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was to inaugurate the assembly with Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai, has pulled out, citing other commitments. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was to attend, has pulled out citing other commitments.
Tribal elders from Pakistan's North and South Waziristan also refused to come. But Afghan leader Hamid Karzai was upbeat as he opened the jirga, saying it brought together "brother nations".
Up to 700 tribal elders, clerics and leaders of both countries have been invited - but not the Taleban, who have called for a boycott.Up to 700 tribal elders, clerics and leaders of both countries have been invited - but not the Taleban, who have called for a boycott.
Tribal elders from Pakistan's North and South Waziristan also refused to come.
'Disappointed''Disappointed'
Pakistani and Afghan tribal leaders have arrived at the huge tent where the meeting is taking place. Pakistani and Afghan tribal leaders gathered in the huge tent where the meeting is taking place.
Gen Musharraf is sending Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his place, to inaugurate the assembly with Mr Karzai. Mr Karzai told them: "We are very proud today that this peace jirga has brought two countries, two brothers, two close neighbours together.
This is only a display, which cannot produce the true views of the Afghan people Abdul Ghafoor HaideriSecretary General, Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-IslamThis is only a display, which cannot produce the true views of the Afghan people Abdul Ghafoor HaideriSecretary General, Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam
Gen Musharraf has assured Mr Karzai his "full support" towards making the jirga a success, according to Pakistan's foreign ministry. "There is no doubt this jirga will be successful," he said.
Gen Musharraf has sent Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his place and assured Mr Karzai his "full support" towards making the jirga a success, according to Pakistan's foreign ministry.
The Afghan government says it is disappointed that the Pakistani leader has decided not to attend.The Afghan government says it is disappointed that the Pakistani leader has decided not to attend.
A spokesman for Mr Karzai told the BBC that the Pakistani president would have made a significant contribution to the gathering, but denied that the jirga would be undermined by his withdrawal.A spokesman for Mr Karzai told the BBC that the Pakistani president would have made a significant contribution to the gathering, but denied that the jirga would be undermined by his withdrawal.
Correspondents say Gen Musharraf's decision to pull out may be intended as a snub to the US-sponsored jirga, following recent statements by US presidential candidates about alleged Pakistani failings in the "war on terror".Correspondents say Gen Musharraf's decision to pull out may be intended as a snub to the US-sponsored jirga, following recent statements by US presidential candidates about alleged Pakistani failings in the "war on terror".
But US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack has not ruled out the possibility of Gen Musharraf attending at some point.But US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack has not ruled out the possibility of Gen Musharraf attending at some point.
"We'll see if President Musharraf is able to attend any portion of the meeting," he said."We'll see if President Musharraf is able to attend any portion of the meeting," he said.
A spokesman for Mr Karzai said building peace and stability was still the council's intention.A spokesman for Mr Karzai said building peace and stability was still the council's intention.
The idea of a joint Afghan-Pakistan peace jirga was first suggested by Mr Karzai during talks with US President George W Bush in September.The idea of a joint Afghan-Pakistan peace jirga was first suggested by Mr Karzai during talks with US President George W Bush in September.
In October, President Karzai said he saw the jirga as an attempt to revive Pashtun civil society on both sides of the border, to combat what he called the growing "Talebanisation" of the region.In October, President Karzai said he saw the jirga as an attempt to revive Pashtun civil society on both sides of the border, to combat what he called the growing "Talebanisation" of the region.
Pakistani flagsPakistani flags
Jirgas are a traditional method of decision-making and dispute-resolution. The Taleban have denounced the jirga, calling the process "George Bush's initiative".Jirgas are a traditional method of decision-making and dispute-resolution. The Taleban have denounced the jirga, calling the process "George Bush's initiative".
Supporters of the Taleban say talks that do not include them could be futile.Supporters of the Taleban say talks that do not include them could be futile.
Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, secretary general of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) told the Associated Press news agency: "This is only a display, which cannot produce the true views of the Afghan people."Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, secretary general of Pakistan's Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) told the Associated Press news agency: "This is only a display, which cannot produce the true views of the Afghan people."
Tribal elders in North and South Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan have also said they are boycotting the jirga.
The BBC's Bilal Sarwary, however, said there was some optimism in Kabul.The BBC's Bilal Sarwary, however, said there was some optimism in Kabul.
Our correspondent says the sight of Pakistani flags throughout the city is unusual because there is normally a climate of mistrust between the two countries.Our correspondent says the sight of Pakistani flags throughout the city is unusual because there is normally a climate of mistrust between the two countries.
The Afghan spokesman for the jirga, Asif Nang, said that the jirga would look at "what causes the insecurity, locate the hideouts of terrorists, track finances and find out how we could deal with the whole problem".The Afghan spokesman for the jirga, Asif Nang, said that the jirga would look at "what causes the insecurity, locate the hideouts of terrorists, track finances and find out how we could deal with the whole problem".