.Kabul accuses international community of failure in war on terror
Kabul- Five years since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the beginning of the war on terrorism, Afghanistan has accused the international community of failure in that fight. The international community has "concentrated too much on the military components in the fights against terrorism," its foreign minister, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, said in an interview in Kabul with Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. "The fight against terrorism is not only a military, but also a development and social, mission."
At the same time, Spanta admitted that his own government had also made mistakes.
Corruption, illegal-drug cultivation and terrorism have increased, he said, while adding that unless these problems are combated, there will be no success in the war on terrorism as drug barons and terrorists are working together.
"We have serious problems," he said while adding, however, that it is an exaggeration to say that Afghanistan is in danger of collapse. Progress has been made in many areas, he argued.
As for the radical Islamic insurgency in southern and eastern Afghanistan, Spanta said in an interview conducted in German, "We are confronted with an international, well-functioning terror network."
The militants are outfitted with modern weapons, communication capabilities and transportation, he said.
Militants must indeed be taken on by the military, Spanta, who lived in Germany for years, said but added, "At the same time, we must carry out development policies."
Drinking-water supplies must be improved in the restive areas, and schools and medical clinics must be built, he said.
"The problem is, is that the non-governmental organizations and the reconstruction teams have completely pulled out of the south and east," Spanta said.
The government presence must be strengthened, he said. "How can we defend a district with more than 40,000 residents with 41 poorly armed police officers?" he asked.
If Afghanistan and the international community fail to bring development to the restive provinces, improve security and improve public investment, "then we cannot speak of a successful, plausible counterterrorism concept," the minister said.
"We have neglected our own along with the international community," he added.
Raw Story
At the same time, Spanta admitted that his own government had also made mistakes.
Corruption, illegal-drug cultivation and terrorism have increased, he said, while adding that unless these problems are combated, there will be no success in the war on terrorism as drug barons and terrorists are working together.
"We have serious problems," he said while adding, however, that it is an exaggeration to say that Afghanistan is in danger of collapse. Progress has been made in many areas, he argued.
As for the radical Islamic insurgency in southern and eastern Afghanistan, Spanta said in an interview conducted in German, "We are confronted with an international, well-functioning terror network."
The militants are outfitted with modern weapons, communication capabilities and transportation, he said.
Militants must indeed be taken on by the military, Spanta, who lived in Germany for years, said but added, "At the same time, we must carry out development policies."
Drinking-water supplies must be improved in the restive areas, and schools and medical clinics must be built, he said.
"The problem is, is that the non-governmental organizations and the reconstruction teams have completely pulled out of the south and east," Spanta said.
The government presence must be strengthened, he said. "How can we defend a district with more than 40,000 residents with 41 poorly armed police officers?" he asked.
If Afghanistan and the international community fail to bring development to the restive provinces, improve security and improve public investment, "then we cannot speak of a successful, plausible counterterrorism concept," the minister said.
"We have neglected our own along with the international community," he added.
Raw Story
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