The Washington Post and the associated press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Secretary of State Colin Powell said Monday that he was dispatching senior diplomat Richard Haass as a personal envoy to the United Nations to negotiate the shape of a new government to replace Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban movement.

Powell, who arrived Monday for crucial discussions with Pakistani officials about the future of Afghanistan, praised the “bold and courageous” steps that Pakistan’s president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has taken since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States to sever Islamabad’s long-standing support for the Taliban.

Powell said he would devote much of his discussion with Musharraf today and a day later with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to the shape of future rule in Afghanistan. “I want to hear the assessment of these two leaders and their associates, their perspective and any advice they have for us,” Powell said.

His comments appeared to signal that the United States was prepared to reward Pakistan with new military cooperation, including educational exchanges and training for officers.

But with Pakistan seeking to retain its influential role in Afghan politics, Powell said no country would be allowed to dictate which of Afghanistan’s long-feuding factions participate in the new government.

Pakistan’s support for U.S. operations is considered crucial because it is adjacent to Afghanistan. India has been sharing intelligence and offering other support for the anti-terrorism coalition.

Thousands of businesses across Pakistan yanked down shutters and left doors locked Monday, obeying a nationwide, one-day strike order by Islamic militant groups denouncing the government’s support of American attacks on Afghanistan.

However, in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city with 14 million people, many businesses were open. Authorities said six demonstrators were wounded and one deputy police superintendent was hit with a rock during scattered clashes between authorities and roving mobs that ended with 102 arrests.

Powell said he also planned to discuss the long-running dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, which flared Monday when Indian forces reportedly shelled military posts on Pakistan’s side of the cease-fire line dividing the region.

The incident was the first Indian shelling across the so-called Line of Control in 10 months.