September 17, 2006, 1:47 PM EDT
WASHINGTON -- Pakistan's foreign minister on Sunday strongly defended a truce with militants along his country's border with Afghanistan, saying "not just brawn but brains" are needed in the fight against terrorists.
Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf's deal with militants in an area where al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden could be hiding has drawn criticism that Islamic extremists will have a safe haven.
"I can understand why people are confused, but there's a time when not just brawn but brains are also needed," Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said. "Sometimes what happens is that when you have acts of violence you end up alienating the local population."
Kasuri took on those who have accused Pakistan of not doing enough in the hunt for bin Laden and other terrorist leaders, saying "Pakistan's commitment to the war against extremism and terrorism is very much in place.
"President Musharraf is a strong leader, and I think the time has come where President Musharraf's leadership on this issue should not be questioned," the minister told CNN's "Late Edition."
http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-pakistan,0,7001258.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlinesDoesn't this deal fall under 'aiding and abetting' known terrorists?