U.N.: Taliban remains a threat in Afghanistan

[AGENDA21]

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The top U.N. envoy in Afghanistan has highlighted mounting concerns over a Taliban rebirth while underscoring the need for regional cooperation.

On the day Afghanistan's new foreign minister made relations with Pakistan his country's greatest foreign policy priority, U.N. representative Tom Koenigs Thursday emphasized collaboration as key to defeating a resurgent Taliban and ensuring regional security.

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"The government of Pakistan is aware that they have to prevent a Talibanization of Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said, describing Pakistan's commitment. "Blaming neighbors doesn't help, cooperation does."

Relations between the predominantly Muslim neighbors have been strained by a spike in militant activity over the past year in the border area south of Peshawar, Pakistan, and southeast of Kabul

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