Afghanistan, Pakistan seek China's help in their anti-terrorism efforts

[The Straight Story]

Afghanistan, Pakistan seek China's help

BEIJING, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- Afghanistan and Pakistan want China and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to support them in their anti-terrorism efforts, two leaders said.

The appeal came from Afghan Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during interviews with China Daily.

The report said the two leaders suggested China and the SCO can help in such areas as capacity building, reconstruction, poverty relief and intelligence exchange.

Khalili and Gilani were in Beijing as observers to attend a meeting of the leaders of the SCO, whose members are China, Russia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

"The western countries are working to train the security forces in Afghanistan and help the Afghans have the ability to help themselves. The SCO can play a role in building capacities" in training national police and national security forces, Khalili told China Daily. He said poverty is the "root cause of rampant terrorism" in Afghanistan.

Gilani called for more help in intelligence work, the report said.

...

They said China should keep away from military engagement, because dispatching more troops will not resolve the problem, the report said.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2009/10/16/Afghanistan-Pakistan-seek-Chinas-help/UPI-28481255692439/