Iran has opposed moves to deploy foreign troops in Afghanistan saying it could prove to be counter productive. We have rejected the idea of deploying foreign troops in Afghanistan because of its highly sensitive nature, Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi has said.
Kharazi's comments follow reports of intense pressure being applied by the international community on the pro-Iran Northern Alliance to accept a multi-national force in Afghanistan in the current round of UN sponsored talks in Bonn to form an interim government.
Kharazi, who arrived on Thursday to iron out difference between Islamabad and Teheran over evolving a joint approach to the fast moving political and military developments in Afghanistan, expressed support for moves to establish a broad-based government in Kabul. I believe after so many years of civil war, it is time for reconciliation and establishment of a broad-based government, he said.
Soon after his arrival he had a lengthy talks with his Pakistani counterpart Abdul Sattar and is also scheduled to meet President Pervez Musharraf before his departure on Friday.
Kharazi while admitting differences between Iran and Pakistan over Taliban in the past saw no divergence between the views of the two countries for setting up a broad-based government in Kabul. I think everybody is looking forward for a stable government in Kabul.
Bureau Report