Al-Qaida Allies Will Negotiate; Pakistani Tribesmen Are Accused of Harboring Foreign Terrorists

Summary

---

BANNU, Pakistan (AP) - A Pakistani army cordon tightening around their mud-brick compounds, leaders of a tribe along the Pakistan- Afghanistan border say they are desperate to avoid bloodshed as a deadline to turn over al-Qaida suspects rapidly draws near.

Four elders of the Jani Khel tribe told The Associated Press they are ready to negotiate with the military, although the leaders insist they aren't harboring foreign terrorists and their mountainous land is too forbidding for the likes of Osama bin Laden and his men.

See the full content of this document

Extract

---

Al-Qaida Allies Will Negotiate; Pakistani Tribesmen Are Accused of Harboring Foreign Terrorists

The elders descended the rugged peaks of Shawal, in North Waziristan, to meet with AP this weekend and give their side of the conflict.

The government has barred journalists from entering the tribal areas of North and South Waziristan since a March crackdow...

See the full content of this document

---