'Attack inside Pakistan territory unacceptable'

Islamabad, July 23: Pakistan today said in clearest terms that any attack by foreign forces inside its territory will be unacceptable.

The declaration came against the backdrop of statements and comments by US officials claiming the presence of Al-Qaeda and safe haven in the tribal areas of Pakistan and the possibility of US striking targets in these areas.

''Like any other country, Pakistan remains deeply concerned over the possibility of Al-Qaeda or any other terrorist entity establishing a sanctury or regrouping inside our territory,'' foreign office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a press briefing here today.

She added that Pakistan government and its forces are determined not to permit such a development.

The spokesperson pointed out that these terrorists have threatened Pakistan, attacked its security forces, killed innocent civilians and targeted its leadership.

She warned that Pakistan does not want its efforts to be undermined by any ill-conceived action from any quarter that is inconsistent with the pricniples of international law and would be deeply resented in tribal areas and generally in Pakistan.

''Such an action will be irresponsible and dangerous,'' she stressed.

The spokesperson said Pakistan and United States are partners in international compaign against terrorism. It would be counterproductive to create an impression of any divergence and differences on the issues of counter-terrorism or take any steps detrimental to our counter-terrorism cooperation.

She said Pakistan 's cooperation with the United States is well defined and well understood, adding that ''all counter-terrorism measures inside Pakistan will be taken by our own security forces.'' ''We are committed and we will take firm action on the basis of information gathered by our own sources,'' she said. She opined that for the success of our counter-terrorism endeavour, it is important to focus on effective cooperation and coordination, rathar than talk of actions that would complicate our on-going efforts to fight Al-Qaeda and other terrorist elements.

She said there was absolutely no information regarding the whereabouts of Osama Bin Ladin.

''If the US or any other country has any concrete information to share, Pakistan will take action'' she said adding that it was not sufficient to say that according to one's thinking, Osama bin Ladin was alive and present in this or that part of Pakistan.

She told a questioner that the United States has been seeking congressional approval to provide assistance to strengthen our law enforcement agencies and to increase the capacity of paramilitary Frontier Corps.

UNI