DOCUMENT No. 2 

Press RELEASE: Afghan Foreign Minister Talks To His Pakistani Counterpart

Afghan Foreign Minister H.E. Dr. A. Abdullah talked to Pakistani Foreign Minister H.E Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri Wednesday focusing on recent developments between the two countries and hoping to resolve any issues of contention between the sides.

In a 20-minute long telephone conversation, Dr. Abdullah expressed the Afghan Government’s regret for the illegal trespassing of protestors into the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on Tuesday, which resulted in material damage to that mission’s offices in Kabul. The Afghan Foreign Minister, who is on an official visit to Italy, also expressed regrets that the Afghan security unit near the Embassy was unable to contain the crowd of protestors, who managed to enter the diplomatic compound.

The Afghan Foreign Minister reiterated statements made by H.E. President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday that the government will investigate the incident and bring the trespassers to justice. It has also been decided that compensation would be given for the damages incurred at the Embassy.

Both Foreign Ministers also discussed issues of mutual concern that have preoccupied both Kabul and Islamabad in recent days. The ministers expressed their desire to overcome current issues as quickly as possible and to resume the normal state of affairs between the two countries.

The two sides agreed that public statements should take domestic concerns and sensitivities into account. The Afghan minister recalled that the principles reflected in the Kabul Declaration on Good Neighbourly Relations, signed last year by Afghanistan and its neighbours, form a solid foundation for normalized expansion of relations.

The two sides renewed their commitment to continue the common international fight against terrorism with the assistance of the international community, through cooperation and improved coordination, without infringing on each other’s territorial or sovereign rights. Afghanistan condemns all forms of terrorism - sectarian or Taliban-inspired- and the killing of innocent civilians, whether in Pakistan, Afghanistan or any other country. Terrorism is a common threat to both nations and to regional stability and global peace.

Both sides agreed to continue the process of consultation and dialogue through the recently established tripartite commission – comprised of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States – to address issues of concern among them.
 

Office of the Spokesperson
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Kabul, July 9, 2003n

<http://www.afghanistan-mfa.net/pressrelease/PRPKJuly92003.html>