Karzai wants an end to US led ops

Gypsy · 09-20-2005, 11:03

This makes no sense to me especially with the increased violence by the Taliban. I can understand the Afghan govt asserting control of their country...but this seems a bit premature...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050920/...ghan_karzai_us

Karzai Wants End to U.S.-Led Operations By DANIEL COONEY, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 57 minutes ago

KABUL, Afghanistan - President Hamid Karzai on Tuesday challenged the need for major foreign military operations in Afghanistan, saying air strikes are no longer effective and that U.S.-led coalition forces should focus on rooting out terror bases and support networks.

Karzai also demanded an immediate end to foreign troops searching people's homes without his government's authorization.

"I don't think there is a big need for military activity in Afghanistan anymore," he told reporters in Kabul. "The nature of the war on terrorism in Afghanistan has changed now.

"No coalition forces should go to Afghan homes without the authorization of the Afghan government. ... The use of air power is something that may not be very effective now."

In suggesting a new approach to fighting militants, Karzai said foreign governments should "concentrate on where terrorists are trained, on their bases, on the supply to them, on the money coming to them" — a veiled reference to alleged support that the militants get from neighboring Pakistan.

Afghan officials have repeatedly accused Pakistan of aiding Taliban rebels and other militants, a charge Islamabad vehemently denies.

Karzai's comments came amid the biggest resurgence in Taliban violence since U.S.-led forces ousted the hard-line regime in 2001. More than 1,200 people have been killed in the past six months, many of them suspected rebels slain in coalition air strikes, according to information from Afghan and U.S. officials.

The country held legislative elections Sunday, the final step toward democracy on a path laid out in 2001.

Just hours before Karzai spoke, coalition commander Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry warned that he expected "more fighting in the weeks ahead."

"We are staying on the offensive against the enemies of Afghanistan, and we will continue that process throughout the fall and throughout the winter," Eikenberry told journalists.

But Karzai played down the militant threat, saying, "We do not think a serious terrorist challenge is emanating from Afghanistan."

The president did not specify whether he was referring to a threat from al-Qaida terrorists, Taliban rebels or both.

09-20-2005, 11:36

I don't think it's so much an assertion of power of Afghanistan as it is a strong signal that Pakistan is the schwerpunkt.

Martin

stakk4 · 09-20-2005, 11:38

I just wonder why Karzai would say this now? I wonder if there was some certain event that gave him a change of heart.

However, I am certain that a compromise could be found. Maybe let local forces take over security, and continue to let SFOD-A's and intelligence operatives work with the local population. I'm just sure there is a problem with tangos infiltrating local forces.

S

VelociMorte · 09-20-2005, 12:07

I was there for the last elections and now, as was then, the vast majority of insurgent activity is along the border with Pakistan. There is no doubt in anybody's mind that the bad guys cross the border with impunity. I'm no expert, but it seems to me that the best way to fight them on Afghan soil is to whack 'em as they cross. Unfortunately, this is problematic. It's difficult at best to monitor all the BCPs. It's difficult to differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. In some areas, the exact location of the border isn't even clear.

It would be ideal if Pakistan would clean house and deport, arrest or kill any and all extremists involved in cross-border excursions, and those that support them. While they're at it, they need to go in with bulldozers and level all of the bad guy's safe havens. Unfortunately, this won't work either, as Musharrif would face a rebellion, and all of Pakistan would slide back into the 7th century, but with nukes.

Perhaps it's been awhile since Karzai faced an assasination attempt, or widespread insurgent bombings, and he's feeling a little more confident than he should? Perhaps the ANA has come up to speed, and he feels that Afghan forces are ready for more responsibility? In any case, it's my opinion that he is sadly mistaken if he thinks that his Country and his military are ready to stand on their own two feet. Should the U.N. take over security ops, or should the U.S. pull out, he'll last all of about two weeks.

09-20-2005, 13:22

Meanwhile:

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...s_050920183356

KABUL (AFP) - The US military commander in
Afghanistan warned of more bloodshed in coming weeks following last weekend's landmark parliamentary polls, which Taliban insurgents failed to derail.

"We can expect more fighting in the weeks ahead, as the enemy attempts to return Afghanistan to the dark days," General Karl Eikenberry, commander of the 20,000-strong US-led coalition, told reporters in Kabul.

Lothar · 09-23-2005, 00:02

I couldn´t agree more with VelociMorte. This country wouldn´t last very long if the ANA and ANP had to provide security. The GoA is in its infancy and has a long way to go before they can do it on their own. Cross-border infil is the same as it has always been....too easy.

Just prior to the elections they were coming over in droves. That was handled and the elections were relatively quiet. Now the hard part is getting those freely elected safely into office and teach them how to do their jobs properly, without corruption and nepotism.

This country has a long way to go from the 7th century to the 21st. Steep learning curve.

scubasam · 09-23-2005, 07:35

I don't see where Karzai said "no US led ops"... What I understand him to be saying is that he doesn't want raids on houses to be conducted without the notification and approval of the Afghan government. Something similar to going to a judge to get a warrant in the states I suppose. I can definitely understand where this desire comes from. It gives a certain level of control and involvement for the Afghan government. However, there are inherent risks and issues for US and Coalition forces also if they get the locals involved with their mission approval process.

VelociMorte · 09-23-2005, 08:17

Yea, I can see it now. Guys will be kicking doors wired to 500 pounders.

**The Reaper** · 09-23-2005, 09:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by VelociMorte

Yea, I can see it now. Guys will be kicking doors wired to 500 pounders.

Gotta concur.

While I understand his sovereignty issue (and need to appear strong), in a country like that, if you have to ask if you can go there first, whatever you are looking for will be long gone when you finally arrive. And something else may have taken its place. That is what I would do, were I on the other side.

TR