Karzai seeks greater cooperation against terrorism

Ankara, March 23, 2006 (Pajhwok Afghan News) - President Hamid Karzai Thursday stressed the need for concerted efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism and secure a peaceful world.

Speaking at a conference titled Global Terrorism and International Cooperation in this Turkish capital, Karzai called terrorism a universal challenge and said the menace could be eliminated with sincere efforts and close cooperation among countries across the globe.

"States must be sincere in their support for the common fight and must pursue zero-tolerance policy towards individuals, groups and governments that may be complacent," Karzai said.

He said Afghanistan was a good example to go by in the war against terror. It was international cooperation in fields, from military and security to diplomacy and development that had led the country to overcome the challenge of terrorism. Such cooperation had been instrumental in the transformation of Afghanistan over the past four years, continued the president.

"We live in an interdependent world and it is true that no one is secure if there is violence and terrorism in any part of the globe," he warned, adding: "Since terrorism is a universal threat, I believe it is only through international cooperation that we can defeat this common enemy. Once again the experience of Afghanistan is a good model."

He noted that despite the international determination and support to eliminate terrorism in Afghanistan, the country was still undermined by the menace with killing of innocent people in attacks everyday. "Afghanistan is determined to play an active role in our collective effort to build a peaceful world," he vowed.

The president appreciated Turkey for its support to the reconstruction and peacekeeping efforts in Afghanistan. He said deployment of Turkish troops as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan represented a valuable contribution to the security of that country.