Pak. warns nations backing Taliban's rivals

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, SEPT. 25. For the first time since the September 11 terrorist attacks in the U.S., the military establishment in Islamabad has openly articulated its concern over the ``integrity'' of Afghanistan, even as the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Mr. Abdul Sattar, warned countries and groups against the temptation of taking sides between the warring factions in the country.

The observations made by the Pakistan President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, during his meeting with a group of political and religious representatives of Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Islamabad's concern assume significance in the wake of speculative reports about jockeying among various countries on scenarios in ``post-Taliban'' Afghanistan.

The remarks made by Mr. Sattar at a news conference, in the presence of a high-level European Union (EU) delegation, now on a visit here, are equally important, as the E.U. was believed to have evinced a ``soft corner'' for the Northern Alliance. Weeks before his assassination, a general of the Alliance, Ahmed Shah Masood, had gone on a tour to the E.U. capitals and the tumultuous welcome he received was a matter of concern here.

Pakistan also reiterated that it did not intend to snap diplomatic ties with the Taliban. After such a decision, first by the UAE and Saudi Arabia today, Pakistan is now the only country to recognise the militia regime.

Gen. Musharraf's concerns over the integrity of Afghanistan and the warning by Mr. Sattar to other countries against any military help to the Northern Alliance that is engaged in a fierce battle with the Taliban, clearly suggest that the military establishment is preparing for the prospect of the fall of the Taliban in the near future.

However, it appears the Musharraf regime is still not decided on what should follow the possible ``collapse'' of the Taliban regime.

Mr. Sattar said Pakistan was concerned about reports of the Northern Alliance appealing to foreign countries for military help.

Asked whether Pakistan favoured external intervention in Afghanistan, Mr. Sattar said those who had done so in the past had paid a price. ``We ourselves are learning from history. We did not intervene in Afghanistan in the past and we would not do so in the future. The Afghans are a fiercely independent people.''

The E.U. delegation led by Belgian Foreign Minister, Mr. Louis Michel, was all praise for the ``courageous decisions'' taken by the Musharraf Government to work with the U.S. in its fight against terrorism and said the E.U. would do everything possible to strengthen the political and economic bonds with Pakistan.

Mr. Michel also announced the E.U. decision to donate 20 million Euro to Pakistan to help it look after Afghan refugees.

Among others, the E.U. delegation had a meeting with the Pakistan President and the Finance Minister, Mr. Shaukat Aziz.

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