WASHINGTON The Haqqani Network has been responsible for severalhigh-profile terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, a top NATO commander said onWednesday.
“The second in command in the Haqqani network is effectively drivingthe Taliban today. A number of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan in thelast couple of months were delivered by the Haqqani network,” Pavelclaimed, Pajhwok news has reported.
Pakistan had an important role to play in the Afghan peace process, Pavelnoted, explaining that meant creating conditions where all opposing forceswould see their chance at the negotiating table rather than on thebattlefield.
“That is what we would like to achieve. Whatever differences are betweenthe central government and the Taliban would be better handled at thenegotiating table rather than on the battlefield,” he said.
Pakistan had a crucial role because there was an apparent link between theHaqqani network operating in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the general argued.
The issue had creates some tension between the US and Pakistan, Pavel said,adding there had been some positive moves by Islamabad. “But still fromtime to time, we see cross border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Pavel said he had seen media reports about Russian arming the Taliban. “Uptill now, we do not see significant progress between NATO and Russia on howto handle the situation in Afghanistan.
“We are calling on all the actors in Afghanistan, including Russia, to takea responsible stand to contribute to the stabilisation and to a peacefulresolution of the problem.
“Russia, China, India and Pakistan all should be part of this solution. Uptill now, we do not see any significant problem with Russian when it comesto Afghanistan,” General Pavel concluded