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Pak-Afghan border region threat to US CIA chief says
WASHINGTON: The situation in the border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, where al-Qaeda has established a safe haven, presents a "clear and present danger" to the West, the CIA director said on Sunday. Hayden spoke on NBC television's "Meet the Press.Michael Hayden cited the belief by intelligence agencies that Osama bin Laden was hiding there, in arguing that the US had an interest in targeting the border region. If there were another terrorist attack against the Americans, Hayden said, it would most certainly originate from that region."It's very clear to us that al-Qaeda has been able for the past 18 months or so to establish a safe haven along the Afghan-Pakistan border area that they have not enjoyed before, and that they're bringing in operatives into the region for training," he said.Hayden added that those operatives "wouldn't attract your attention if they were going through the customs line at Dulles (airport, outside Washington) with you when you're coming back to the United States ñ who look Western."Washington has sought reassurance that Pakistan's new coalition government will keep the pressure on extremist groups "using the country's lawless northwest frontier as a springboard for attacks in Afghanistan and beyond".Over the weekend, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani pledged to make the fight against terrorism his top priority. But he said peace talks and aid programmes could be more effective than weapons in fighting militancy in tribal areas along the Afghan border. It was the new government's latest rebuke of President Pervez Musharraf's military tactics, which many Pakistanis believe have led to a spike in domestic attacks.
On Sunday, Hayden declined to comment on reports that the US might be escalating unilateral strikes against al-Qaeda members and fighters operating in Pakistan's tribal areas out of concern that the pro-Western Musharraf's influence might be waning. Hayden only would say that Pakistan's cooperation in the past had been crucial to US efforts to stem terrorism there."The situation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border presents clear and present danger to Afghanistan, Pakistan, the West in general and United States in particular," he said. "Operationally, we are turning every effort to capture or kill that leadership from the top to the bottom."." http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=13837

Quit war on terror, Taliban ask new govt
BAJAUR AGENCY- Leader of Tehrik Taliban Maulana Faqir Muhammad has welcomed the decision of the new government to end the FATA Crimes Regulation (FCR) and also to negotiate with the stalwarts of the Tehrik. He expressed these views while addressing a congregation at Inayat Kalay in Bajaur Agency. Maulana Faqir demanded imposition of Islamic Shariat in the tribal areas and to cut off ties with America, which he said is the main source of threat to the interest of the nation. He agreed to negotiate with the new government and suggested the government to avoid past policies. Other Taliban leaders including Tehrik spokesman Maulvi Umer, Maulvi Sher Bahadar and Dr Muhammad Ismail also addressed the ceremony. All the leaders demanded an end to checkposts from the area and ban on non-custom paid vehicles.They also opposed the appointment of members of the Shia community in the militia force. They warned tribal elders to avoid meetings with US officials, otherwise they would be responsible for consequences. Taliban leaders also constituted a committee comprising religious scholars, who would resolve all the problems of tribesmen. They announced to operate against all those who are involved in kidnapping for ransom, bribery and other social crimes. Taliban also welcomed an offer by the new premier to hold talks with militants but urged Islamabad to abandon the US-led ‘war on terror’.Taliban leader Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, addressing a rally of about 5,000 tribesmen and militants in Bajaur, welcomed Gilani’s offer - with one condition.
“We are ready for talks with the government because a solution of all problems is possible through negotiations, but the government should quit its pro-America policies,” Faqir said. “Taliban are patriotic Pakistanis and their movement is not against the government.” http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2008/31/index8.php

Security forces find 58 bodies in Kohat
Kohat: The security forces have found fifty eight bodies of the tribesmen including 7 women and 6 children who had lost their lives during 6 days sectarian violence in the district, District Nazim Hangu Khan Afzal said on Sunday.A temporary ceasefire between Mishti and Kachai tribes is being observed here. The District Nazim Hangu, who belongs to Mishi tribe told BBC that the security forces and the rival tribes had started to find the bodies from trenches and fields. The security forces have found bodies of 28 people of Mishi tribe, he said, adding, 15 people out of 28 were killed during firing at a Jirga. On the other hand, the Mishti tribe has handed over vital Lotang trench of Kachai tribe to security forces. Up to 17 people of Kachai tribe lost their lives