KABUL, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- As Washington announced deploying additional troops to Afghanistan to bolster war on terror in the war-shattered country, Afghan observers have cautioned over military build-up.
"Enhancing troops alone is not the solution to the problem in Afghanistan even if the U.S. deploys 400,000 more troops in the country," a political analyst and Kabul University professor WadirSafi told Xinhua.
To defend his argument, he stressed that the U.S. has consistently increased its troops in Afghanistan over the past eight years but failed to deliver as militancy has surged and security deteriorated.
He observed that achieving lasting peace in Afghanistan requires strong administration with good governance to eliminate corruption and ensure justice.
In a revamp strategy to overcome the tiring war against Taliban,al-Qaida and associate groups, President Obama in his globally-awaited strategy addressed Wednesday, announced sending in additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan.
He also announced boosting civilian aid to Afghanistan emphasizing on good governance.
Presently more than 100,000-strong NATO-led troops with 68,000 of them Americans are stationed in Afghanistan to stabilize security in the post-Taliban country.
With the deployment of additional 30,000 fresh troops, the strength of U.S. military would rise to some 100,000, a number almost equal to the invading Soviet Union forces that occupied Afghanistan from 1979-89.
The Afghan analyst also opined that Afghanistan's neighboring states would not welcome increasing troops in the war-torn countryand added that Pakistan had already expressed concern over the issue.
"Parallel to military build-up militants' infiltration from Pakistan should be checked, negotiation with the Afghan Taliban should begin and the Afghan security forces must be supported in terms of quantity and quality," Safi emphasized.
In his speech Obama also stressed for providing training to the Afghan security forces and a gradual transfer of security charge to them.
He also said that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan will begin from July 2011.
Meantime, Safi was of the view that giving training to the Afghan security forces and having a capable army needs enough time, possibly years and not months and keeping in mind the fact that pulling out of international troops at this stage would encourage militants.
Another Afghan analyst and human right activist Qasim Akhgar also opposed the troop surge, saying consistent troops surge over the past eight years has proved counter-productive as the militancy instead of elimination has influenced more provinces in Afghanistan.
In this connection, he added that in 2002 all the country was safe but after eight years, Taliban and terrorists are active almost everywhere in Afghanistan.
"Few persons carrying arms are not terrorists. The root cause of those fighting the government and international troops must be analyzed. It might have economic, political and cultural reasons and overcoming the problems requires a comprehensive strategy," Akhgar told Xinhua.
In his view, the solution of economic problems, providing job opportunities and social justice would help ensure durable peace in the country.
The U.S. president in his speech also announced support for Pakistan and said Washington will strengthen Pakistan's capacity to target those groups that threaten the Untied States.
However, Akhgar described Pakistan as the main backer of militancy and terrorism in Afghanistan, stressing none of the high ranking Taliban and al-Qaida commanders has been detained although Pakistani troops recaptured the scenic Swatt valley from Taliban last May.
He also noted that, "Increasing troops without good governance would not deliver in Afghanistan."
Afghan government's failure to curb corruption, eradicate poppyand eliminate insurgency, according to reports, has tarnished the image of the administration at home and abroad.
In his much-awaited speech President Obama also called on NATO member states and allied nations to contribute more troops to Afghanistan by saying some have already provided additional troops, and we're confident that there will be further contributions in the days and weeks as the security of our allies and the common security of the world is at stake.
He announced this decision amid increase in troops' casualties and sliding public support at home to the war in Afghanistan.
More than 900 U.S. soldiers, according to reports, have been killed since the launch of the war against terror in Afghanistan in late 2001.
And only in last October 74 American soldiers were killed.
"Increasing troops to bolster the war on terror is good but strengthening the Afghan national security forces is best as it can win more local support," a former army general and sitting legislator Noorul Haq Alomi told Xinhua.
He also opined that supporting the Afghan security forces and giving them a lead role in combat operations would boost the moralof Afghans to isolate militants.
The war veteran and military expert further maintained that military buildup would add to the concerns of Afghanistan's neighbors.
"Honest support of international community plus boosting the Afghan security forces, curbing cross-border terrorism plus good governance can guarantee the lasting peace in Afghanistan," ex-chief of the Defense Commission of the parliament retired general Alomi observed.
Brown confirms Britain to deploy extra 500 troops to Afghanistan
LONDON, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced on Monday that Britain will deploy extra 500 troops to Afghanistan in a statement to the House of Commons.
Last month, Brown agreed "in principle" to increase British troops in Afghanistan to 9,500 so long as troops are fully equipped for their tasks; the Afghan government is in place, ready to provide more troops for training and all coalition partners bear their fair share of burden.Full story
More countries expected to increase their troops in Afghanistan: Brown
LONDON, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Wednesday wrote a letter to NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, saying that he was optimistic that more countries are expected to increase their troops deployed in Afghanistan.
Earlier this month, Brown met with the NATO chief in London, focusing on Afghanistan and recent political developments in the country. The two leaders agreed that the international community should continue to show its resolve in Afghanistan.Full story
Obama calls Zardari on U.S.-Pakistan partnership
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Hours before unveiling his new strategy for Afghanistan, U.S. President Barack Obama called his Pakistani counterpart Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday to ensure Pakistan's support.
President Obama "recognized the profound sacrifices Pakistan has made in its efforts to combat extremists in its northwest and emphasized that our goal is to defeat al-Qaeda and to ensure stability in the region," said a White House statement. Full story
Obama urges Karzai's government to take more responsibility for security in Afghanistan
¡¡ WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama, in a call with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai on Monday night, urged Afghans to take more responsibility on their country's security, said the White House on Tuesday.
"President Obama underscored the need for more rapid development of the Afghan National Security Forces so that Afghans themselves can assume greater responsibility over the security of their country," said a White House statement. Full story
Obama to start pulling out U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 3 years: reports
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama will suggest pullout of U.S. troops from Afghanistan start within three years when addressing the nation on a new strategy in that country Tuesday night, U.S. media reported. Full story
Obama to "accelerate" war efforts in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack will announce "an acceleration" of war efforts in Afghanistan to defeat terrorism when he addresses the nation on his new strategy in that country, his spokesman said Tuesday.
That means both the deployment of 30,000 to 35,000 additional troops to Afghanistan and the transfer of security responsibility from U.S. forces to Afghan forces will be accelerated, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on NBC.Full story
