Afghan, Pakistan leaders vow unity in terror fight

KABUL, Afghanistan — Key U.S. allies Pakistan and Afghanistan should work together to fight the "scourge of terrorism," whether al-Qaida or the Taliban, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf said Wednesday on a visit to the Afghan capital.

At a joint news conference, Musharraf and Afghan President Hamid Karzai talked about the need to cooperate, called each other "brother" and appeared to put the harsh words of earlier this year behind them.

But Musharraf was also adamant that U.S.-led forces now hunting terrorists in Afghanistan would never be allowed to cross into Pakistan to hunt for anyone fleeing across the border.

"This is not possible at all, that we will ever allow any foreigner at all coming into that area," said Musharraf, adding that these tribal areas have never allowed foreign troops. "Anyone who ever thinks of that is not living in reality."

The visit by Musharraf to Afghanistan on Wednesday and today comes at a crucial time for both countries, right before the five-year anniversary of the World Trade Center attack. Taliban-led insurgents are mounting their biggest challenge to the U.S.-backed Afghan government since the fall of the Taliban almost five years ago. Both Musharraf and Karzai will also soon meet with U.S. officials in Washington.

Afghan officials have frequently accused Pakistan of allowing the Taliban to flourish openly in the wild tribal border areas. Earlier this year, these accusations spilled over into outright hostility between the two nations, with each side accusing the other of harboring terrorists.

Pakistan has also faced increased pressure in recent months from NATO, which took over security control from the U.S.-led coalition in the troubled south in August. Leaders of NATO nations have criticized Pakistan for not doing enough. Many Western officials say privately that Taliban leaders find shelter in the tribal areas of Pakistan. They are reluctant, however, to criticize Pakistan publicly because they believe Pakistan may soon crack down on Taliban leadership.

"The Taliban command and control is in Pakistan," said a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It's a statement of fact they're there. Unless more is done to control them, the insurgency will go on at a high level."

A top Afghan official also said he believes Pakistan is changing its approach toward the Taliban.

In recent weeks, the two countries have announced their intention to pursue joint patrols along the rugged, porous border. Soldiers on both sides can now talk to each other with high-frequency radios.