Thank you, Mr. Chair.
In our quest to resolve the conflict, since we are still trying to ensure that it does not go on forever, there is one subject that we have not yet broached today, that is, Pakistan.
Increasingly, we hear that the Pakistani secret services are actually giving sanctuary to the Taliban and that the border is extremely porous. This means that, when the Taliban are pushed back, they simply cross the border to the Pakistani side, where they replenish themselves, and then come back to attack the international forces.
I know that your visit to Mr. Musharraf, recently, was not a great success. I heard Mr. Musharraf on the CBC. He did not wish to cross swords with the Canadian military. Your attempt concerning the possibility of having joint and other patrols was a good one to my mind.
I would like to know whether you have any discussions with your colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to try and solve this problem. If the Pakistani problem cannot be resolved, if the border cannot be sealed more tightly or the Pakistani government cannot be convinced to stop giving sanctuary to the Taliban, it seems to me that resolving the conflict could be much longer. There are rumours going around to the effect that there are agreements with the Taliban at present.
I would like to know whether discussions have been initiated with the government, between you and your Foreign Affairs colleague, to try and solve this problem.