Sydney, Apr 12: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has criticised Pakistan for not doing enough to stem the flow of arms and support to the Taliban and al-Qaeda across its borders into Afghanistan where more than 1000 Australian troops are based.
Before meeting Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in China last night, Mr Rudd said he understood the South Asian country's difficulties in the fight against terrorism but concerns have been mounting in its fight against terrorism. ''Together with other members of the international community, I do have concerns about the level of co-operation on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in the overall effort against terrorism in Afghanistan,'' he said.
The Prime Minister said he had specific proposals for Pakistan to improve co-operation in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The new civilian and military strategy in Afghanistan, which was endorsed at the NATO meeting would be incomplete without the full co-operation of surrounding states including Pakistan, he said on the last day of his four-day visit to China. Pakistan would be engaged in the efforts of the United States and its allies in Afghanistan in a ''difficult and protracted war'', he said.
''I'm concerned at the extent to which in recent months that co-operation has become less than it could otherwise be.''
UNI
Before meeting Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf in China last night, Mr Rudd said he understood the South Asian country's difficulties in the fight against terrorism but concerns have been mounting in its fight against terrorism. ''Together with other members of the international community, I do have concerns about the level of co-operation on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in the overall effort against terrorism in Afghanistan,'' he said.
The Prime Minister said he had specific proposals for Pakistan to improve co-operation in the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The new civilian and military strategy in Afghanistan, which was endorsed at the NATO meeting would be incomplete without the full co-operation of surrounding states including Pakistan, he said on the last day of his four-day visit to China. Pakistan would be engaged in the efforts of the United States and its allies in Afghanistan in a ''difficult and protracted war'', he said.
''I'm concerned at the extent to which in recent months that co-operation has become less than it could otherwise be.''
UNI
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