Monsters and Critics : Afghanistan hurt by terrorism 'way before Iraq' or 9/11: Karzai

Afghanistan hurt by terrorism 'way before Iraq' or 9/11: Karzai (Roundup)

September 26, 2006

Washington - US President George W Bush and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday presented a united front in deflecting recent reports that the US-led Iraq war had increased terrorism around the world.

"Terrorism was hurting us way before Iraq or September 11," Karzai said. "They came to America on September 11 but they were attacking you before September 11 in other parts of the world."

"We are a witness (of terrorism) in Afghanistan...you are a witness in New York," Karzai added. "That's why we need more action around the world."

President Bush said he was "not surprised" that terrorists were using the Iraq war as a recruitment tool, but said it was one excuse among many.

"My judgement is if we weren't in Iraq they'd find some other excuse," Bush said. "We're not going to let their excuses stop us from staying on the offence."

A government intelligence report leaked over the weekend found that the US-led invasion of Iraq had given birth to a new generation of home-grown Islamic radicals spread across the globe, according to anonymous sources quoted by The New York Times, The Washington Post and other newspapers.

Bush commended Karzai for leading a "tough job" in the war against terrorism, while the Afghan leader was effusive in his thanks to US efforts to quell the resistance in his country.

"We the Afghan people are grateful to you and the American people," Karzai said.

Karzai also seemed to backtrack on his criticism of a peace deal by Musharraf with tribal leaders in the border region of Waziristan, but said his country wanted to make sure the accord did not allow Taliban fighters to use the region as a launching pad for attacks on Afghanistan.

"We will have to see if (the treaty) is going to be implemented exactly the way it is signed," Karzai said. The Afghan leader said he initially understood a deal had been made with the Taliban, but that Musharraf had since "explained" the outlines of the accord.

Musharraf insists tribal leaders in the region are obligated to hand over Taliban and al-Qaeda remnants.

Bush, Karzai, and Musharraf are due to meet for a dinner in Washington on Wednesday. Referring to the reports of tensions between the two Asian leaders, Bush said it would be "interesting for me to watch the body language between these two leaders."

© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur