US accepts Durand Line as formal Pak-Afghan border: Burns
Sunday 12 May 2013
By Sayed Jawad
The United States of America on Sunday once again emphasized on the legal status of Durand Line as the border line between Afghanistan and Pakistan despite Afghan president Hamid Karzai insisted that the government of Afghanistan will never accept the legal status of Durand Line.
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns on Sunday told reports in capital Kabul that Washington’s stance on this issue remains unchanged, and is similar to Marc Grossman’s remarks on the legal status of Durand Line.
Former US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, March Grossman earlier insisted that Washington recognize Durand Line as the formal boder between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was later confirmed by US ambassador to Afghanistan during his visit to southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan.
The remarks by US officials were widely criticized by the government of Afghanistan.
Durand Line was established after an agreement in 1893 between Mortimer Durand of British India and Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, however the issue of the Durand Line agreement remains unresolved after the formation of Pakistan.
The issue of Durand Line is considered to be one of the main controversial issues between Kabul and Islamabad.
Afghan president Hamid Karzai earlier announced that the government of Pakistan has been putting pressure on Afghanistan in a bid to force the Afghan government to recognize Durand Line as the formal border the between the two nations.
President Karzai also insisted that the government of Afghanistan will never accept the legal status of Durand Line, however deputy secretary of state William Burns called on Kabul and Islamabad to concentrate on improving their bilateral relations.
US accepts Durand Line as formal Pak-Afghan border: Burns - Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper
Sunday 12 May 2013
By Sayed Jawad
The United States of America on Sunday once again emphasized on the legal status of Durand Line as the border line between Afghanistan and Pakistan despite Afghan president Hamid Karzai insisted that the government of Afghanistan will never accept the legal status of Durand Line.
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns on Sunday told reports in capital Kabul that Washington’s stance on this issue remains unchanged, and is similar to Marc Grossman’s remarks on the legal status of Durand Line.
Former US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, March Grossman earlier insisted that Washington recognize Durand Line as the formal boder between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was later confirmed by US ambassador to Afghanistan during his visit to southern Kandahar province of Afghanistan.
The remarks by US officials were widely criticized by the government of Afghanistan.
Durand Line was established after an agreement in 1893 between Mortimer Durand of British India and Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, however the issue of the Durand Line agreement remains unresolved after the formation of Pakistan.
The issue of Durand Line is considered to be one of the main controversial issues between Kabul and Islamabad.
Afghan president Hamid Karzai earlier announced that the government of Pakistan has been putting pressure on Afghanistan in a bid to force the Afghan government to recognize Durand Line as the formal border the between the two nations.
President Karzai also insisted that the government of Afghanistan will never accept the legal status of Durand Line, however deputy secretary of state William Burns called on Kabul and Islamabad to concentrate on improving their bilateral relations.
US accepts Durand Line as formal Pak-Afghan border: Burns - Khaama Press (KP) | Afghan Online Newspaper
