First to the moves in Pakistan to impeach President Musharraf, whats your reaction?
SMITH: Well, that’s a matter for the Pakistan political process to determine, a matter for their parliamentary and political processes; not something that we would buy into or comment upon. It’s really a matter they’ve got to determine for themselves. MIDDLETON: But this hardly makes for a stable Pakistan, and I would say that stability in Pakistan is one of the necessary conditions for success in the struggle in neighbouring Afghanistan against the Taliban and Al Qaeda? SMITH: I certainly agree with the stability point. And so however the Pakistan political process, the Pakistan government, the Pakistan parliament resolves it, we’d want it to be resolved quickly. In the context of stability I think that point is right. And I’ve made the point previously we view very seriously the circumstances in Pakistan as they impact adversely on Afghanistan with our nearly 1100 troops in Uruzgan province. MIDDLETON: On the other hand I guess it’s also fair to say that in the end the high hopes tha
