Friday 3rd of May 2024
Home » Blogs » Gus Leonisky's blog

disagree to disagree...

petraeuskarzai

President Karzai told The Washington Post newspaper, over the weekend that he wants a reduction in the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and that he wants the remaining troops to stay on their bases as much as possible.  General Petraeus says any drawdown will be based on security conditions and the capabilities of Afghan security forces, and that at the moment, they do not allow for a reduction.  On the pace of military operations, Petraeus frequently notes that it is only during the last few months that he has had enough forces to conduct the level of operations he believes is necessary to defeat the insurgency.

In a separate article published in The Post Monday, U.S. officials are quoting  as saying that General Petraeus expressed "astonishment and disappointment" at President Karzai's most recent remarks, and that the president's attitude could make the general's position "untenable."

But a Pentagon spokesman U.S. Marine Corps Colonel David Lapan indicated Monday that he sees the disagreements as understandable.

http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Kabul-Downplays-Apparent-Karzai-Petraeus-Dispute--108165294.html

difference of opinion...

KABUL- President Hamid Karzai said on Saturday that the United States must reduce the visibility and intensity of its military operations in Afghanistan and end the increased U.S. Special Operations forces night raids that aggravate Afghans and could exacerbate the Taliban insurgency.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/13/AR2010111304001.html

no idea how to win...

In Lisbon, they talk. In Afghanistan, they die.

Christopher Davies, 22, was the 100th British serviceman to die this year in a war that Nato's leaders – gathered today for a crucial summit – have no idea how to win.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/in-lisbon-they-talk-in-afghanistan-they-die-2139188.html

-----------------------

Gillard tells Karzai to halt corruption

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has told Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai to stamp out the rampant corruption that has plagued the war-ravaged nation.

The high levels of corruption are threatening to undermine progress in the troubled region and potentially hinder the goal of Afghan-led security by the end of 2014.

Ms Gillard made her point clear to the Afghan leader at their meeting on the opening day of the two-day NATO summit in Lisbon on Friday.

"I certainly expressed to President Karzai that Australia wants to see continuing work on the question of fighting corruption in Afghanistan," she said.

"He indicated that efforts are being made within Afghanistan to deal with corruption questions.

"Of course we want to continue to assist and as governance capacity is built in Afghanistan, we want that governance to be corruption free.

http://www.smh.com.au/world/gillard-tells-karzai-to-halt-corruption-20101120-181k3.html