Karzai: Afghans would side with Pakistan in war

By: David Morgan
Topics: Afghanistan ,; Pakistan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai as seen in an interview on Pakistani television broadcast Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011.

(Credit: GEO)

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan would support Pakistan if there were a military conflict between Pakistan and another country, including the United States, told Pakistani TV television in an interview broadcast Saturday.

The comments were made during an interview with Geo Television, and come amid recent tension between the two countries over border violence and accusations of Pakistani involvement in the September 20 assassination of an Afghan peace envoy, former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani.

"God forbid, if ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan," Reuters quotes Karzai.

Karzai also said that if Pakistan were attacked by another country and needed help, "Afghanistan will be there with you. Afghanistan is a brother."

"Afghanistan will never forget the welcome, the hospitality, the respect, and the brotherhood showed by the Pakistani people towards the Afghan people," Karzai said. "Pakistan will never betray their brother."

He said that would be the case regardless of whether the country was India, China or the United States.

"Afghanistan is not going to be dictated in any way by any country - U.S. or India or Russia or China or whoever. Afghanistan has its own policy, its' own stand, its own clear view of things, and from that point of view, from that stand, it's dealing with our brothers in Pakistan."

David Morgan
David Morgan is a senior editor at CBSNews.com and cbssundaymorning.com.

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by pdchapin October 25, 2011 10:08 AM EDT: Karzi knows that the Taliban can't come back without Pakistan's help. Most of the people hate the Taliban and they've been reduced to bloody but militarily pointless suicide attacks. But with the US leaving he needs to make nice to Pakistan so they don't rebuild the Taliban. So he makes a meaningless statement about a conflict that isn't going to happen.; Reply to this comment


by decotoguy October 24, 2011 2:22 AM EDT: The Great American Honorable War Hero George W.Bush's first failure; Afghanistan.
The American Suicidal Mission,The BIG FAILED DEBACLE,The American Capitalist Crusade is not going to end at all,like say never.
Just as Karzai claim Afghans and Pakistanis as brothers, also in some circles Iraqis and Iranians are brothers too.
Not everybody in the med-east are Arabians,but the Practitioner of Deception would like you to believe it is so.
I love these WARS because I'm witnessing Americans doing what Osama bin Ladan and Al Qeada
could-not do, and that is "destroy the American DREAM".; Reply to this comment


by WildBill935 October 23, 2011 9:51 PM EDT: Karazi needs to worry about handling his own safety once the U.S. military leaves Afghanistan. He couldn't help himself in a fist fight never mind be a meaningful source of military support to another nation. He's as delusional as Kadaffi was, will probably suffer the same fate.; Reply to this comment


by Rocksman October 23, 2011 12:13 PM EDT: The guy is off his meds again I suspect.; Reply to this comment


by cruzn66 October 23, 2011 8:09 AM EDT: And why are we wasting our people and our treasure in a country that would use our weapons and our training against us? It's time to leave, shake the dust from our boots, and let this country have its independence. See how long Karzai lasts on his own! His statements prove that a lasting strategic benefit will never be established.; Reply to this comment


by robe59 October 23, 2011 8:08 AM EDT: Brothers in terror, drugs, corruption, deceit, lies. God forsaken countries both. Quickly approaching a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.
Anyone still believe there is a cause for saving this worthless real estate? Even the corporate a holes who saw big profit in this venture will need to reconsider. Karzai is a sub human who is totally willing to bite the hand that fed him.; Reply to this comment


by longtree-2009 October 23, 2011 4:38 AM EDT: that's so funny. afghans would rather side with pakistan than the usa. wonder if obama is aware of this new pronouncement? wonder if usa combat troops now in afghanistan are aware of it? how about the usa generals now in afghanistan? how about the new head of the cia or panetta? obama should order all military forces out of afghanistan in view of this afghan position by end of 2011 or june of 2012. what a joke, all of it.; Reply to this comment


by bocacassidy October 23, 2011 3:32 AM EDT: Karzai's statement is an outrage ...All US support should be halted with a total pullout ... It is obviously a very expensive road to
nowhere..Allow these people to kill each other on their own nickel.
Both countries are of no value to the USA..They can be dealt with more efficiently by China or India .; Reply to this comment


by cbs_bull October 23, 2011 1:58 AM EDT: It'd be interesting if there is a war between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Who will cover Afghanistan's a**?; Reply to this comment


by drsam8 October 23, 2011 12:07 AM EDT: The United States is busy re-building a country that will never be loyal to it while so many--indeed millions--suffer at home, partly because of the money being wasted there! Amazing!!! Two wars (Afghanistan and Iraq), no benefit to America, and America is still letting the bleeding to continue in terms of money and blood?
Dr. Sam; Reply to this comment