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US envoy opposed to Afghan surge US envoy opposed to Afghan surge
(10 minutes later)
The US ambassador in Kabul has written to the White House arguing against sending thousands more American troops to Afghanistan.The US ambassador in Kabul has written to the White House arguing against sending thousands more American troops to Afghanistan.
In a leaked cable, Karl Eikenberry expressed doubts about the competence of President Hamid Karzai's government. In a leaked cable, Karl Eikenberry said President Karzai's government should first prove it would tackle corruption.
The message arrived amid intense debate over strategy, with President Obama yet to make a decision on troop numbers.The message arrived amid intense debate over strategy, with President Obama yet to make a decision on troop numbers.
This dramatic intervention would put the envoy at odds with generals wanting reinforcements, correspondents say. This dramatic intervention would put the ambassador at odds with generals seeking reinforcements.
EIKENBERRY'S CV Top US military commander in Afghanistan for two years Deputy chair of Nato's military committee at Brussels in 2007Quit army commission to be US ambassador in Kabul this year Frontline US official dealing with Afghan President Hamid Karzai EIKENBERRY'S CV Top US military commander in Afghanistan for two years Deputy chair of Nato's military committee at Brussels in 2007Quit army commission to be US ambassador in Kabul this year Front line US official dealing with Afghan President Hamid Karzai
On Wednesday, Mr Obama held his eighth meeting in a series aimed at refocusing Afghan policy. On Wednesday, President Obama held his eighth meeting to discuss the question of whether to send tens of thousands more troops to confront the Taliban.
Mr Eikenberry, a former US commander in Afghanistan, also raised concerns about corruption within the Afghan government. Mr Eikenberry, a former American commander in Afghanistan, sent the secret cable in the past week, according to US media reports.
He sent the cable in the last week, according to US media reports. Expressing concern about corruption in Afghanistan, he said it was "not a good idea" to send more soldiers, the BBC has been told.
He said it was "not a good idea" to send more troops, the BBC has been told. The diplomatic dispatch appears to be a dramatic and last-minute intervention by the ambassador, says BBC Washington correspondent Adam Brookes.
The cable arrived days before Mr Obama held a crucial strategy session - to discuss the question of whether to send tens of thousands more troops to confront and push back the Taliban. It comes right at the end of weeks of White House deliberation over how to proceed in Afghanistan, and appears to put the ambassador at odds with the US Army, whose generals favour reinforcing and intensifying America's campaign.
The cable appears to be a dramatic and last-minute intervention by the ambassador, says BBC Washington correspondent Adam Brookes.
It comes right at the end of weeks of White House deliberation over how to proceed in Afghanistan, and appears to put the ambassador at odds with the US army, whose generals favour reinforcing and intensifying America's campaign in Afghanistan.
MARDELL'S AMERICA Is it a bluff or could the president really send far fewer troops than expected? Sensible caution or more dithering? Mark MardellBBC News, North America editor Read Mark Mardell's thoughts in fullMARDELL'S AMERICA Is it a bluff or could the president really send far fewer troops than expected? Sensible caution or more dithering? Mark MardellBBC News, North America editor Read Mark Mardell's thoughts in full
The US currently has some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, among a coalition force of more than 100,000.The US currently has some 68,000 troops in Afghanistan, among a coalition force of more than 100,000.
Military chief 'fuming'Military chief 'fuming'
Officials say the Obama administration considered several options at Wednesday's meeting, including:Officials say the Obama administration considered several options at Wednesday's meeting, including:
• Sending about 20,000 extra troops
• Sending an additional 30,000 soldiers - a plan said to be favoured by Defence Secretary Robert Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Adm Mike Mullen
• Deploying another 40,000 troops, the option pushed for by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal• Deploying another 40,000 troops, the option pushed for by the top US military commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal
• Sending an additional 30,000 soldiers - a plan said to be favoured by Defence Secretary Robert Gates and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Adm Mike Mullen
• Sending about 20,000 extra troops
• A fourth option added in the past week involves sending 10,000 to 15,000 more soldiers, according to US media reports
Critics say the decision on Afghanistan is taking too longCritics say the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long
A fourth option is understood to have been added recently, although White House officials declined to give details. In weighing up the options, Mr Obama is also preoccupied with how long it would take to see results and be able to withdraw, officials said.
Gen McChrystal was said to be fuming about Mr Eikenberry's intervention.Gen McChrystal was said to be fuming about Mr Eikenberry's intervention.
President Obama warned on Wednesday that the US commitment to Afghanistan was "not open-ended" and that governance there had to improve, White House officials added. But a statement issued by the White House after Wednesday afternoon's strategy meeting appeared to reflect some of the envoy's concerns.
Among the key outstanding issues is said to be the reliability of the government of President Karzai, who was recently declared the winner of a widely criticised election. "The president believes we need to make clear to the Afghan government that our commitment is not open ended," it said.
"After years of substantial investments by the American people, governance in Afghanistan must improve in a reasonable period of time."
The Obama administration is also known to have concerns about the reliability of the government of President Karzai, who was last week declared the winner of August's widely criticised presidential election.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says there is a strong feeling that unless President Karzai gets his shop in order and tackles bad governance across the country, it will not matter how many extra troops are sent.
Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk.Critics have said the decision on Afghanistan is taking too long, while Mr Obama has said he does not want to rush a decision that involves putting troops at risk.
Should the US send more troops to Afghanistan? If not, what should President Obama do next? Are you in Afghanistan? Would you like to see a stronger US military presence? Send us your comments.Should the US send more troops to Afghanistan? If not, what should President Obama do next? Are you in Afghanistan? Would you like to see a stronger US military presence? Send us your comments.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions