memphiz
06-02-2005, 03:00 PM
WASHINGTON (CP) - It will take about 18 months before Afghan police and army forces will be able to take more reponsibility for securing the country, Canada's Gen. Rick Hillier said Wednesday.
"They've made good progress but they're not there yet," Hillier told U.S. journalists after meetings between the Canadian Armed Forces Council and U.S. joint chiefs of staff. "The security situation continues to be fragile," he said.
"There appears to have been a little surge in security incidents and attacks, particularly in the south, but also some in Kabul."
"The question is, is this a last-ditch, last-gasp attempt? Or is it actually speaking more of an interaction between druggies, criminals, Taliban and those who simply want to have their own empire for power, money and immunity from prosecution?"
"I kind of think it's the latter."
An increasing proportion of the violence is coming from "common criminals," organized crime and drug-traffickers, said Hillier.
"The challenge as we go forward here is discerning who is doing what and how you best pick them apart."
Hillier said he expects to see a culmination of the violence in the next six to 18 months, before Afghan forces will increasingly be able to take over.
There are currently 750 Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. In August, a reconstruction team will deploy to the area.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/WarOnTerrorism/2005/06/01/pf-1066995.html
"They've made good progress but they're not there yet," Hillier told U.S. journalists after meetings between the Canadian Armed Forces Council and U.S. joint chiefs of staff. "The security situation continues to be fragile," he said.
"There appears to have been a little surge in security incidents and attacks, particularly in the south, but also some in Kabul."
"The question is, is this a last-ditch, last-gasp attempt? Or is it actually speaking more of an interaction between druggies, criminals, Taliban and those who simply want to have their own empire for power, money and immunity from prosecution?"
"I kind of think it's the latter."
An increasing proportion of the violence is coming from "common criminals," organized crime and drug-traffickers, said Hillier.
"The challenge as we go forward here is discerning who is doing what and how you best pick them apart."
Hillier said he expects to see a culmination of the violence in the next six to 18 months, before Afghan forces will increasingly be able to take over.
There are currently 750 Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. In August, a reconstruction team will deploy to the area.
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/WarOnTerrorism/2005/06/01/pf-1066995.html