Pak intelligentsia urges Obama to change Afghan strategy
December 13th, 2010 - 3:06 pm ICT by ANI
Lahore, Dec.13 (ANI): Pakistani academicians, journalists and members of various non-government organizations (NGO) have forwarded a letter to U.S. President Barack Obama, urging him to change America’s strategy in Afghanistan.
According to the Daily Times, they told Obama that the cost of the Afghan war has crossed the 120 billion dollar per year mark for the United States alone, which would be unsustainable in the long run. They also claimed that the situation on the ground in Afghanistan was much worse than in 2009, because the Taliban insurgency had progressed across the country.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s active support to the Taliban, the letter from the intelligentsia said Washington would be unrealistic in pursuing a military solution in Afghanistan.
They suggested that it was time to implement an alternative strategy that would allow the US to exit Afghanistan while safeguarding its legitimate security interests.
They said that the Taliban leadership has indicated its willingness to negotiate, and is more favourable for talks now than ever before.
“We’re deeply worried about the current course of the war and the lack of credible scenarios for the future. In addition, human losses are increasing. We appeal to you to use the unparalleled resources and influence to achieve that longed-for peace,” they said in the letter.
They said that the 2014 deadline to put the Afghan National Army in command of security was not realistic.
Considering the quick disappearance of the state structure at a district level, it was difficult to envision a strong army standing alone without any other state institutions around.
The Taliban, they said is a long-term part of the Afghan political landscape, and there was a need to try and negotiate with them to reach a diplomatic settlement.
They said: “We believe that mediation can help achieve a settlement, which brings peace to Afghanistan, enables the Taliban to become a responsible actor in the Afghan political order, ensures that Afghanistan cannot be used as a base for international terrorism, helps stabilize the region, and provides the basis of an enduring relationship between Afghanistan and the international community.”
The letter added: “All the political and diplomatic ingenuity that the US can muster will be required to achieve this positive outcome.” (ANI)
- 'Even a partly successful US-Taliban negotiation will favour Afghan strategy' - Feb 19, 2011
- US in secret direct talks with Afghan Taliban - Feb 19, 2011
- 'US sees bin-Laden's killing a chance to end Afghan war' - May 04, 2011
- Pakistan trying to sidestep US to safeguard own interests in Afghanistan: NYT - Apr 19, 2011
- Pakistan, Afghanistan, US hold talks on Afghan peace - Apr 27, 2012
- Extradite people involved in Rabbani's killing : Afghanistan to Pakistan - Oct 03, 2011
- US failed to get Pakistani Army chief to target Taliban - Jan 01, 2011
- Obama for 'good' Taliban, no to safe havens in Pakistan (Lead) - Jun 23, 2011
- US would accept 'reformed' Taliban in Afghanistan if 'red lines' respected: Holbrooke - Jun 07, 2010
- Being part of Afghanistan's political solution "absolutely essential" for Pak: Akram - Jan 15, 2011
- Pakistan to be consulted over Afghan-Taliban reconciliation process: Karzai - Sep 17, 2010
- Afghan Taliban reconciliation plan fizzles out over militants' rejection of Peace Council - Nov 10, 2010
- Holbrooke an accomplished diplomat: India - Dec 14, 2010
- Afghanistan's 'de facto' partition best available option for 'failing' US: Ex-diplomat - Jul 09, 2010
- No objection if Taliban opens office: Minister - Dec 18, 2011
Tags: acto, afghan war, barack obama, disappearance, government organizations, human losses, insurgency, intelligentsia, legitimate security, mediation, military solution, national army, ngo, political landscape, security interests, state institutions, state structure, taliban, taliban leadership, unparalleled resources