Kabul to decide troops’ withdrawal: US envoy

The United States’ outgoing ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Clark Crocker, has made it clear that no decision has yet been made for total withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan by end 2014. He added the decision in this connection would be taken by the Afghan administration with a new president in place then and in consultations with the international partner countries currently providing assistance to Afghanistan, but the verdict of the Afghan government would prevail. Ryan Clark said that the security of entire Afghanistan would be handed over to the Afghan national forces by end of 2014. “The process of withdrawal is already underway, and no deadline has been set for its completion,” the US envoy said here in an exclusive chat with The News the other day in a banquet Afghan President Hamid Karzai hosted in the honour of visiting Prime Minister of Pakistan Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. The ISAF’s American commander, General Allen, was also present. The feast was also attended by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief, Lt General Zaheerul Islam, and a number of other dignitaries. Meanwhile, General Zaheerul Islam is leaving for Washington, and he will be meeting his US counterpart General David Petraeus in August. It is believed that his meeting with the US CIA chief General Petraeus could prove as a make or break event since the thorny issue of sharing intelligence on terror with regard to use of drones would prominently figure in the meeting besides a number of other ticklish issues. General Zaheer is undertaking the visit on the invitation of General Petraeus. Ryan C Crocker, who has opted to proceed on retirement, would be engaged in his new business in Texas.To a question, Ryan Crocker said that the presidential elections in Afghanistan next year would be very interesting when the incumbent wouldn’t be contesting, but “it wouldn’t provide an opportunity to Mullah Omer or Taliban reign as they will have to renounce terrorism, detach with al-Qaida, accept the Afghan constitution and secure the support of the masses.” He added: “I don’t think the people in Afghanistan would like the return of the Taliban since they have resorted to tyranny and killed scores of innocent people. The democratic government of Afghanistan has embraced the country with unimaginable economic growth that is surpassing the figure of 11 percent. The facilities in education, health, infrastructure and all spheres of life have been indicating a remarkable improvement. I am leaving a much transformed Afghanistan.” To a question, the US ambassador claimed that his country had no blue-eyed for the next presidential polls in Afghanistan. He was of the view that Taliban activities were confined to a very limited area, and the people of Afghanistan would never let them close to the authority again. “The elimination of extremism across the globe is the agenda of every sane person who is keen to see peace and prosperity of human-beings.” He said that Pakistan’s decision on the restoration of ground lines of communication (G-LOC) for the Nato forces from its soil should be appreciated. Talking about the visit of Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, he said it was a good move as both the countries must enhance their mutual cooperation for the sake of their people and peace.