Pakistan FM on Afghan peace visit

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The Pakistani Foreign Minister, Khurshid Kasuri, is starting a two-day visit to Afghanistan for talks aimed at stemming the Taleban insurgency.

Mr Kasuri will discuss Pakistan's strategy for bringing peace to the border region through deals with local tribesmen at councils, or jirgas.

The two countries regularly exchange charge and counter-charge over who is to blame for the violence.

They will discuss plans to hold jirgas on both sides of the border.

Work together

The proposals were first raised at a meeting of the US, Pakistani and Afghan presidents in Washington in September.

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The idea is to find a solution to the violence through traditional tribal institutions and elders.

Khurshid Kasuri aims to work out the details during his visit, such as who would participate and when the jirgas would be held.

One controversial issue is whether elements of the Taleban should be included.

Joint jirgas would be one way for the two countries to work together, rather than blaming each other for the violence.

Afghan as well as Nato officials have accused Pakistan of allowing the Taleban to operate from its soil.

Pakistan says the main problem is Kabul's failure to bring security and a better life to southern Afghanistan.

President Pervez Musharraf has said force alone will not defeat the Taleban.

He has appealed for a massive injection of reconstruction aid and advocated political engagement with what he calls elements who support peace.

Mr Kasuri is expected to encourage this comprehensive approach during his visit.

The Pakistanis say this is the strategy they are following in their tribal areas near the border, although critics say deals with the local tribesmen have only empowered militants there.