Washington: Afghanistan's top diplomat to
the US on Thursday said that his country would be ready to take
responsibility of its own security in the next 18 months, as
announced by US President Barack Obama in his Af-Pak speech.
"In 18 months, we will be ready to begin taking
responsibility of the security in provinces. Even before this
speech, President (Hamid) Karzai had indicated that this will
take shape in -- by province-by-province basis. Yes, we are
ready," Afghan envoy Said T Jawad told the MSNBC.
Of the 37 provinces, Jawad said, the Afghan Government
controls one – Kabul, the national capital and the most
populated province.
"But practically we are in control in most of the
central Afghanistan and northern Afghanistan. There is hardly
anyone there. It's the Afghan forces that are controlling
these provinces," he said.
"If you decided to leave and do not fight this war and
if you feel that you will be better off fighting this war
through other means, then that will be your choice. We as an
Afghan people can ask you very humble that you stay and
continue this fight with us," he said.
"That will be your decision after 18 months if the
proper progress has not been made or if the conditions have
changed around Afghanistan to take the course that's
appropriate. But I think that your presence there is for the
safety and security of Afghanistan, the region and the world,"
Jawad said in response to a question.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 03, 2009, 14:25