This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7966982.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
US rethinks Afghanistan strategy | |
(about 19 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama has confirmed a fundamental rethink of US strategy in Afghanistan and Pakistan to combat an "increasingly perilous" situation. | |
He said growing radical forces in the area posed the greatest threat to the American people and the world. | |
He said an extra 4,000 US personnel would train and bolster the Afghan army and police, and he would also provide support for civilian development. | |
The Afghan government said it welcomed "all [Mr Obama's] major conclusions". | |
In particular, it said it welcomed the "the recognition of the regional aspect of the problem in Afghanistan and specifically recognition that the al-Qaeda threat is mainly emanating from Pakistan," said presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada, according to Reuters news agency. | |
class="bodl" href="#map"> See map of troop deployments | |
Bleak picture | |
President Obama said his "comprehensive new strategy" was an outcome of a "careful policy review" in which military commanders and diplomats, regional governments, partners, Nato allies, NGOs and aid organisations were consulted. | |
We have a clear and focussed goal - to disrupt and defeat al-Qaeda and prevent their return Barack Obama class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7967002.stm"> Change of plan class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7967194.stm"> UK considers troop boost class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=6278&edition=2&ttl=20090327122804"> Send us your comments | |
He painted a bleak picture of the situation, with insurgents increasing their control of territory in the region and attacks rising. | |
He said American strategy must relate directly to the threat posed to the Americans by al-Qaeda and its allies - who, he reminded his listeners, were behind the 9/11 attacks on American soil eight years ago. | |
And he said multiple intelligence estimates suggested fresh attacks on the US were being planned. | |
But he said targeting al-Qaeda was not only in the interests of American people, but populations around the world and Afghans themselves. | |
He said US forces should not be in Afghanistan to "control that country or dictate its future", but to "confront our common enemy". | |
'Not just bombs' | |
To achieve its goals, Mr Obama said, the US needed: | |
| |
He said that Richard Holbrooke had already been appointed as the US envoy to both Afghanistan and Pakistan in order to facilitate this new shared perspective on both countries. | |
And he said Pakistan would need American help in going after al-Qaeda, which Mr Obama admitted was "no simple task". | |
Have Your Say It is time to negotiate peace with the Taliban Joe, Arlington, Virginia | |
But he said this would not amount solely to "bombs and bullets", adding that the success of this plan depended on the strength of the Pakistani government. | |
So, he said, he was calling upon Congress to pass a bill authorising a tripling of US spending in Pakistan to $1.5bn (£1.05bn) each year over the next five years, to help rebuild "schools, roads and hospitals". | |
But he said this was "no blank cheque" - and Pakistan would have to show its own commitment to rooting out the "cancer" of al-Qaeda and its allies. | |
In addition to the 17,000 troops whose redeployment to Afghanistan from Iraq have already been announced, Mr Obama said a further 4,000 US troops would be sent there to help train up the Afghan army and police. | |
He said additional help for training would also be sought from Nato allies in order to build an Afghan army of 134,000 and a police force of 82,000. | |
In addition, he said, US agricultural specialists, engineers and lawyers would be sent to help reinforce Afghanistan's crumbling civilian infrastructure. | |
LEAD INTERNATIONAL FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN Locations refer to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Total contributing nations: 42 ISAF total strength: Approx 61,960 See total number of troops in Afghanistan | |
Return to top |