Fed: Pakistan could do more to fight terrorism: Downer

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Fed: Pakistan could do more to fight terrorism: Downer

By Steve Larkin

ADELAIDE, Aug 28 AAP - Pakistan could do more to stop terrorists, Foreign MinisterAlexander Downer said today after signing a pact with India to combat terrorism.

Mr Downer signed the memorandum of understanding in Adelaide and called on Pakistanto strengthen control of its border with Afghanistan.

Mr Downer and Indian External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha signed the agreement,pledging closer ties between the nations' security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies,days after terrorist bombings in the Indian financial capital of Bombay.

India has blamed pro-Pakistan Muslim militants for the twin explosions in Bombay onMonday that killed 50 and injured 154.

Mr Downer passed on Australia's sympathy for the car bombings to Mr Sinha, who yesterdaydescribed Pakistan as an epicentre of terrorism.

Mr Downer said Pakistan could be doing more to help fight terrorism.

"Steps have been taken, whether enough has been done ... I think there is never enoughthat any government can do to clamp down on terrorism," he said.

"We certainly feel, for example, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border that there areal-Qaeda people moving in and out.

"We would like Pakistan to take stronger action along that border to try to seal theborder better.

Mr Downer said Pakistan had been more decisive in dealing with terrorism since theSeptember 11, 2001 terror attacks in the US.

"They have taken measures, whether they are sufficient - my point is we would neverdiscourage any country from taking more measures than they are already taking and thatincludes Pakistan, they can still do more."

Mr Downer said Australia could learn much from India about terrorism.

"India of course has great experience in dealing with the problem of terrorism, greatknowledge of how terrorist organisations work," Mr Downer said.

"And we're developing a great deal of knowledge and understanding and experience, I'mafraid as well, in this country.

"Two countries like Australia and India have terrific capacity to do things togetherin working against terrorist organisations."

Mr Sinha said increased cooperation between the nation's respective defence forceswas also agreed.

The ministers said an immigration memorandum of understanding would be signed betweenAustralia and India, probably early next year.

And both ministers would recommend to their governments the forming of a working group,including economists, to "establish a medium term road map" for strategic relations betweenthe countries, Mr Sinha said.

Mr Downer and Mr Sinha said they also discussed proliferation of weapons of mass destruction,the North Korean nuclear stand-off, Iraq and Commonwealth issues.

"Both countries are deeply interested in strengthening the bilateral relationship," Mr Sinha said.

Mr Sinha, on his first visit to Australia as India's minister for external affairs,was scheduled to meet Prime Minister John Howard before leaving on Saturday.

AAP sl/ldj/de

KEYWORD: TERROR INDIA NIGHTLEAD