I have no magic formulas regarding Afghanistan - Annan

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, who arrived here yesterday on the first leg of a whirlwind tour of South Asia, advised India and Pakistan to return to the spirit of the Lahore Declaration and he seemed determined to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

In a brief chat with reporters at Chaklala airbase, Annan, who is set to meet Afghan Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakel in Islamabad today, said he would like to "promote regional peace and step up efforts to help the suffering Afghan people."

He denied he had any specific proposal to resolve Afghan problems, with special reference to Osama bin Laden. "I will discuss with the Afghanistan foreign minister these issues in detail, but let me say I have not come here with any magic formulas with regard to bin Laden."

The secretary-general said that he was personally worried about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which had caused immense suffering among the population, which has already experienced decades of deprivation, caused by war and drought.

"Our most urgent priority is to provide the Afghan people wherever they are with aid and assistance as soon as possible. I am visiting refugee camps near the Afghan border personally on Monday."

About the decision of the Taliban to destroy ancient Buddha statues, he said there was enormous international concern over the decision. "I know that Pakistani authorities want to do all in their power to convince the Taliban not to carry out this lamentable decision. I welcome the efforts of General Pervez Musharraf and the government of Pakistan in this regard."

About a question on the UN sanctions against Afghanistan, he said the UN had appealed for assistance for the people of Afghanistan. He described the situation as tragic and desperate and said he would be meeting the UN officials in this regard and see what more could be done.

"We are trying to find way out ways to mitigate the effect of the sanctions," Kofi Annan said and added that people were not the intended targets of the sanctions.

He also said "We believe Pakistan can play a role in advancing regional stability, peace and development, all of which are priorities of the UN."