Terror in Afghanistan was deliberately promoted:Karzai

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai today accused the West and 'some neighbours' of ''deliberately'' promoting terrorism and religious extremism in his country and called upon the world to fight the scourge jointly to make the region an example of peace and prosperity.

''Terrorism and extremism could have been avoided...Yes, very much. It was promoted deliberately by the West and some neighbours and the consequences were horrendous...Now the world has woken up...,'' the Afghanistan President said in his address at the Fourth Annual Hindustan Times Leadership Summit' here.

Mr Karzai, however, did not directly name Pakistan for promoting terrorism in his country and instead, praised it for giving shelter to Afghan refugees, including himself, during the years of turmoil.

He defended Taliban whom he called ''simple and many of them clean'' and said they were ''used'' by more clever people and organisations beyond Afghanistan.

''I know them personally. They are simple people and many of them clean. Taliban emerged as a force when the country went through interference. They were used by more clever organisations beyond Afghanistan,'' he added.

To a question on whether he would have talks with Taliban, specially Mullah Omar, in the larger interest of peace, Mr Karzai said he was prepared to have talks with anybody in the interest of peace.

However, those who had committed and were committing crimes against Afghan people, should face the law. But those who had settled down to peaceful lives, were welcome.

With Mullah Omar, he asserted that he would not hold talks.

''For Mullah Omar, do you think it is possible ? Afghan Taliban, Yes. Non-Afghan Taliban, No,'' he said amid applause.

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