Nato has welcomed Pakistan's drive against extremists and Taliban in the tribal region saying that this has been done at a great cost. Briefing newsmen ahead of the two-day Nato Foreign ministers conference taking place next week in Estonian capital Tallin, organisation spokesman James Appathurai responding to questions raised by APP Friday said.
"Clearly these are very difficult operations and has been done at a great cost and Nato has recognised that cost." He spoke of the terrorism problem faced by Pakistan and Afghanistan and said there needs to be a solution on the both sides of the border.
Asked whether these operations have impacted Nato own counter-insurgency measures within Afghanistan, Appathurai replied, "I have not seen an answer to that question." On the question of Pakistan's offer to train Afghan forces, he said it was up to Pakistan and Afghanistan to decide.
He further pointed that when Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kiyani was in Brussels four weeks ago he mentioned this offer to Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and his response was that it was up to both Pakistan and Afghanistan to discuss the issue bilaterally.
The Nato spokesman furthermore said Pakistani prime minister is coming to Brussels later this month and during the course of the tour will also visit the Nato headquarters where these issues are expected to come up for discussions. During the course of his briefing, Appathurai said Nato was facing shortage of trainers to train Afghan security forces adding that the organisation needs at least 500 trainers.
He said although Nato and ISAF were present in Afghanistan in substantial force but face trouble in finding the trainers. He said Nato aims to hand over the control of Afghan provinces back to the country's security forces in a gradual manner starting by the end of the current year. He reiterated that Nato has no intention to stay in Afghanistan for forever but will not leave the country as long as the security problems continue.
Appathurai said General McChrystal's strategy of troops surge was working as evident from the recent operations in Marjah but he ruled out any type of frontal military assault on Kandhar, said to be the heartland of Taliban, to minimise civilians casualties. "There will be no D-day in Kandhar and the approach will be to impede and prevent Taliban from continuing their ascendency in the city.
Success in Kandhar will sent a strong signal and ending Taliban presence in the city will be a positive change," he argued. He informed the media that Bosnia has applied to join Nato and has agreed to send some troops to Afghanistan. However, according to Appathurai Bosnia's application depended on the sufficient reforms it has carried out to warrant the Treaty's membership.
The Nato spokesman said Afghanistan continues to be dogged by corrupt police and bad governance and politically the Nato countries were keen to see improvement in these two areas so that once the provinces are handed back to the Afghan authorities, the people see quick delivery of services and good governance.
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