NATO chief warns of terror strike in Western Europe

Brussels, Dec.3 : North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has warned that terrorists have the potential to strike in western Europe.

"The war on terror (in Afghanistan and Pakistan's Tribal Areas) must continue and succeed. If we don't succeed, these people (the terrorists) will hit Western Europe like Islamabad and Mumbai," the Daily Times quoted Scheffer as telling Pakistani journalists at the NATO headquarters here.

He said it was important for Pakistan and India to lower tempers and join hands against the perpetrators of the Mumbai bloodbath.

"I hope better sense will prevail and the tension between India and Pakistan does not escalate and the operation in Pakistan's Tribal Areas continues unhindered," he said.

He said during his forthcoming visit to Islamabad he would stress the need to further strengthen co-operation between NATO and Pakistan.

He also said NATO would soon initiate a process with the Pakistani Government to sign a transit agreement for smooth supplies to NATO forces through Pakistan.

He said a stable Pakistan was in the interest of the international community and the entire region.

ANI