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Iran does plain-speaking on Pak killings

Ashok Tuteja in Dubai

Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did some plain-speaking with Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf during their meeting in Teheran yesterday, asking him to curb the spate of sectarian killings that have caused a rift between the two countries.

Regional news agencies quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as telling General Musharraf that the killings of a number of Iranian citizens in Pakistan were ''the very bitter ramifications of the sectarian conflict''.

''A group of sedition-mongers fan the flames of sectarian violence in Pakistan, a bitter side-effect of which was the martyrdom of several Iranian nationals,'' he said.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, ''I closely follow events in your country and hope... worrying signs will give up their place to more hopeful signs.''

General Musharraf expressed regret over the sectarian conflict in his country and vowed that he would personally pursue the cases against those charged with the killings.

''Some people in Pakistan try to make gains by resorting to terrorism. We will make serious efforts to cut off their influence and create an atmosphere for peaceful coexistence,'' he said.

General Musharraf later told the state-run Teheran Radio that his talks with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iranian President Mohammed Khatami were ''very successful''.

He said his country wanted a solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and the return of peace and democracy in the war-torn country. ''The problem of Afghanistan is not an easy one and I will sincerely use my best and most sincere efforts in this area,'' he said.

General Musharraf said Iran and Pakistan would ''coordinate'' their policies on Afghanistan to restore peace in the country. ''On Afghanistan, we agreed to coordinate the policies of our two countries for encouraging the peace process through reconciliation and dialogue among the Afghan parties.''

He said, ''I have no doubt that the traditional friendship between our two countries will continue to promote deeper and broader cooperation in all spheres. Pakistan-Iran collaboration is fundamental to regional peace and stability.''

Tensions have emerged in the friendly ties between Iran and Pakistan over the Afghan issue as Teheran has accused Islamabad of providing support to the Taliban regime.

This was General Musharraf's third visit to the region after he overthrew the Nawaz Sharief government in a bloodless coup on October 12.

UNI

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