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Luke Lieberman
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US/Afghanistan security ties
April 13, 2005 - 01:36 AM
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from CNN
"KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai said his country wants longer, stronger ties with the United States, including a long-term "strategic security relationship."
Karzai, appearing at a news conference with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Kabul, Afghanistan, made the remarks when asked about reports of the forging of bilateral security agreements and the establishment of permanent U.S. military troop presence in the country, a reference to bases.
The two leaders met as Rumsfeld continued his tour of military operations under the U.S. Central Command, including those in Iraq, which he visited on Tuesday. (Full story)
"The Afghan people want a longer-term relationship with the United States." Karzai said during a news conference with Rumsfeld. He said he has raised the issue with President Bush and emphasized that Afghanistan "is seeking such a partnership" and eventually will be making a formal request.
Rumsfeld said Washington is looking into ways it can help the fledgling democracy, such as equipping and training the country's own forces, "rather than the question of military bases and that type of thing."
Permanent military ties are a subject, he said, that is "presidential in its level of interest."
Before his meeting in Kabul, Rumsfeld stopped at the U.S. base in Kandahar. He spoke with U.S. commanders who gave him an assessment of the Afghan national army.
A top U.S. commander was blunt in his assessment. About 65,000 additional Afghan officers are needed for the Afghan national police, he said. There are 35,000 national police officers, with varying degrees of competency, he told Rumsfeld.
The military is bracing for a spring offensive by the Taliban, radical Islamic militants whose regime harbored Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda before the United States ousted it from power in 2001. "
Hey guys - like to know what you think -
Haseeb?
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Haseeb
Joined: Apr 21, 2003
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Re: US/Afghanistan security ties
May 21, 2005 - 02:33 AM
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Luke- I saw this coming. I think any bilateral security partnership between the United States and the new Afghanistan will be crucial for the future of the region, and if you look at a completely bigger picture, and the historic strategic and security importance of Afghanistan, for the world.
On the ground there are mixed feelings about getting in to a long-term “strategic partnership” with the United States, as its being pronounced by Karzai. Just as any other Asian country, nationalism and patriotism is strong and still fresh in Afghanistan. Even after losing 2 million lives to defy the Soviet Union, which led to more destruction of the country amongst the other stuff. We have been arrogantly non-allied during the past century-at least on paper. The past three decades of our life as a nation thought us; that the geopolitical existence of Afghanistan is not suitable for non-alliance.
Now, it is apparent to us that we can no longer be able to survive and defy the influence of our advanced and strong neighbors, without a security partnership with a major power on earth. Thus, the new government and if I can say a large portion of the society, has concluded that we need some sort of an alliance with the United States. The public opinion in Afghanistan is widely opposed to ONLY permanent US military bases. Karzai recently put it as “we don’t want to be a garage”, and the public loved the statement. They ask for more in return to providing space for US bases. The idea of allowing long-term US military presence is extremely delicate. The risks are high. Almost no country around Afghanistan likes the prospects of long-term Afghan-US relations. Or the so called” strategic partnership”. Even though we understand that we NEED a partnership with the US, our people also know that they have the cards to play with; and be equal partners in any deal.
Correct me if I am wrong in reading the US mindset on it: Back in the 60s, the Afghan foreign minister- Sardar Naim- visited Washington and asked Kennedy for US aid –military and economic – to shun the growing soviet influence on our affairs. The answer he got was SHORTSIGHTED – along the lines of: You are far away in Geography to be an ally. When the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan, it was the again the same US approach. They abandoned Afghanistan. Now, it appears that, the US has recognized the importance of having an ally in Afghanistan. However, its readiness to sustain that alliance is doubtful.
The actions of US military on the ground, and the policy maker’s lack of focus on Afghanistan (unless drawn by some nasty images of violence) are extremely disturbing. The recent abuse stories unveiled by the New York Time, Newsweek and the ones that have kept coming for a while now without being noticed or investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice, are no positive signs. I am afraid; the US will have a serious problem in Afghanistan if it does not act promptly in bringing the perpetrators to justice and reshaping its military tactics on the ground. We cannot afford to see a popular uprising against the US role in Afghanistan; the US cannot afford to handle it. Thus, better dig deep and find where the weakness is. Something is wrong with the policies, and they need to be reshaped. Torturing a taxi driver to death, accusing him of being a terrorist -while most of the interrogators had learned that he was “innocent” before his death, are incidents that can prove vital in triggering an opposition. This stuff has to be taken care of, freely, fairly and humanly – before any “strategic partnership”. Again – freely, fairly and humanly: this time the US cannot afford to give away the Vietnam era type exemptions. Its credibility as a protector of human rights is sharply at stake. You cannot preach one thing and practice the contrary.
Some helpful links:
http://talibancountry.com/
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/20/international/asia/20abuse.html?
http://nytimes.com/2005/05/22/international/asia/22abuse.html?hp&ex=1116734400&en=e9e3ad1e6c5e1514&ei=5094&partner=homepage
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Luke Lieberman
Joined: Feb 13, 2003
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Re: US/Afghanistan security ties
May 23, 2005 - 12:22 PM
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I certainly agree that Afghanistan needs a friend in the world.
And I agree that the US needs Afghanistan to be stable.
I understand that Iran in particular would not be happy about any strategic partnership.
I am going to speak a bit more broadly in terms of the US Afghani relationship for a moment beyond simply military strategy which at some level is a basic necssity at this point.
The lack of focus is concerning - although Karzi is in the US right now.
I think though the best way to gain the US's benevolance is through positive reinforcement more then negative reaction particularly right now.
When Americans see Afghanistan as angry protesters throwing things in the streets then Americans think of Afghanistan as more of a problem to be dealt with then as a friend to be helped - do you know what I mean?
Karzi has a very favorable image in the US - but Americans are numb and frankly sick of seeing ll these people ready to jump all over their backs for every mistake they make.
A little faith, and a little forgiveness would go a long way towards building real trust.
I guess what I am saying is that you will get more flies with honey - and I don't mean that you should sit and be content - that will only get you ignored.
but frankly if the Afghanis did something to say "thank you" - this would warm them in the hearts of Americans.
If the Afghanis - as friends - took it upon themselves not simply to demand investigations etc - which I agree are important - but to offer some help instead of just making demands...
there is alot of jealousy of the US in the world - it can be lonely as the only super power. being at the top means you have alot of people gunning for you.
and basically I think Americans are getting tired of being yelled at - it seems impossible to please everyone and you start to tune it out - right now to most Americans Afghanistan is just another angry muslim country frankly.
If you are America, so many people are more ready to point to your flaws then recognise your strengths.
I know this is perhaps just a dream - but I think that if the Afghanis really reached out publically at this particular moment it would engender alot of positive feelings -
have you ever heard - the key to man's heart is through his stomach?
well the key to a US politicans heart is through his constiuents through the American people - after all it is their money.
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