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Musharraf wants quadrupling of foreign forces in Afghanistan
Washington, June 26: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has called for quadrupling of foreign security forces in Afghanistan in order to control the warlords and extend the writ of the Kabul government throughout the country.
Washington, June 26: Pakistan President Pervez
Musharraf has called for quadrupling of foreign security forces in Afghanistan in order to control the warlords and
extend the writ of the Kabul government throughout the country.
Around 40,000-50,000 troops would be needed as Afghanistan slowly creates a police force and national army, Musharraf told 'The Washington Post' in an interview.
Indicating Pakistan's nervousness over India's "influence" in Kabul, Musharraf said it is his conviction that "India is taking an interest in Afghanistan simply to upset Pakistan." Stating that the warlords need to be controlled, he said "they are a government within a government. That needs to be changed by bringing their writ down and elevating the writ of the Centre."
Administration officials, mindful of Karzai's inability to assert control agree with the essence of Musharraf's idea, the Post said.
However, they see neither the urgency nor the international will to build such a large force. "The department of defence does not oppose an expansion of ISAF outside the capital, but we have not seen any countries that are willing to provide forces for such an expansion," a pentagon spokesman Marine Lt Col Dave Lapan said.
Instead, col. Lapan said, the administration is forming provincial reconstruction teams of 50 to 100 us soldiers each to provide a security presence and to guide reforms.
US troops are operating in Gardez, Bamian and Kunduz while British expect to move into Mazar-e Sharif in several weeks, Pentagon officials said.
Bureau Report
Indicating Pakistan's nervousness over India's "influence" in Kabul, Musharraf said it is his conviction that "India is taking an interest in Afghanistan simply to upset Pakistan." Stating that the warlords need to be controlled, he said "they are a government within a government. That needs to be changed by bringing their writ down and elevating the writ of the Centre."
Administration officials, mindful of Karzai's inability to assert control agree with the essence of Musharraf's idea, the Post said.
However, they see neither the urgency nor the international will to build such a large force. "The department of defence does not oppose an expansion of ISAF outside the capital, but we have not seen any countries that are willing to provide forces for such an expansion," a pentagon spokesman Marine Lt Col Dave Lapan said.
Instead, col. Lapan said, the administration is forming provincial reconstruction teams of 50 to 100 us soldiers each to provide a security presence and to guide reforms.
US troops are operating in Gardez, Bamian and Kunduz while British expect to move into Mazar-e Sharif in several weeks, Pentagon officials said.
Bureau Report