Afghan President Hamid Karzai Says He'll Need U.S. Help for 15-20 Years, Gates doesn't dispute that

[Better Believe It]

Karzai Says He'll Need U.S. Help for 15-20 Years
New Accusations of Civilian Deaths Roil Visit by Defense Secretary Gates
By NICK SCHIFRIN
KABUL, Afghanistan Dec. 8, 2009


Afghan President Hamid Karzai made it clear today that his country's security forces will need 15 to 20 years of financial and training assistance.

Karzai made his statement at a news conference with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and just a week after President Obama outlined his strategy for Afghanistan which calls for a surge of 30,000 troops before he starts withdrawing them in 2011.

"We hope that the international community, in particular the U.S., as our first ally, helps us reach the ability -- in terms of economic ability as well -- to sustain a force that can protect Afghanistan with the right numbers and the right equipment," Karzai said.

"Afghanistan is looking forward to taking over the responsibility in terms of paying for its forces and delivering to its forces out of its own resources, but that will not be for another 15 years," he said.

In the past, Karzai has said he hoped to have Afghan forces take the lead in the country's security in five years. That is still the goal, he indicated, but it would require up to two decades of assistance to get there.

Gates did not dispute that timeline, but emphasized the U.S. desire for Afghan security forces to be trained quickly so they could begin taking over security for parts of the country in July 2011.

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Afghanistan/karzai-afghanistan-us-troops-20-years/story?id=9278265

[elehhhhna]

1. karzai is president-for-life then?

[lapfog_1]

2. If you think about it for a minute...

Why, yes, he is...

So long as he is President AND the US armed forces are there, he has a chance to stay alive.

Given his current age, 15 to 20 years is about right to die a natural death.

[Better Believe It]

4. Do I hear foreign bank accounts?

"Given his current age, 15 to 20 years is about right to die a natural death."

Or place billions along with his pals in foreign bank accounts!

[lapfog_1]

6. That's the "Shah of Iran" option

but it's an expensive life, what with the host government payoffs and such.

[Better Believe It]

3. Pretty much since he controls elections and counts all of the votes!

[Name removed]

5. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[thunder rising]

7. If the men don't want the job, arm the women. They have a REAL motivation to keep Taliban down.

[IndianaGreen]

8. Al-Jazeera: Afghan army 'in need of US funds' (for 15 years!)

Afghan army 'in need of US funds'

Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, has warned it may take 15 years before his war-torn country can pay for its own security forces.

After talks with Robert Gates, the visiting US defence secretary, in Kabul on Tuesday, Karzai said he believed the US and the international community would continue funding the Afghan national army and police.

"We hope that the international community and the United States, as our first ally, will help Afghanistan reach the ability to sustain a force," he said.

"Afghanistan is looking forward to taking over responsibility in terms of paying for its forces and delivering to its forces with its own resources, but that will not be for another 15 years."

At a joint news conference at the presidential palace, Gates stressed the US would not leave Afghanistan, even though the US president has announced plans for a gradual military withdrawal in 18 months.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/12/20091286465494232.html

[dmallind]

9. S Korea has had that for more than 50 years. Doesn't seem to worry people. NT

[ClarkUSA]

12. Any reason to be Outraged -- no matter how inane and hypocritical -- is okay.

:sarcasm:

[Bullet1987]

10. When I read that I didn't know whether to laugh

or shake my head in disgust. This news story won't sit well with a lot of people over here.

[vaberella]

11. I figured. It would take decades to develop Afghanistan---but I want Karzai out. n/t

[Clio the Leo]

13. Hamid may soon find himself a man without a country to govern.

(When a strong central government gives way to strengthened tribal leaders.)

[eleny]

14. I saw the video clip earlier and just shook my head

The arguments about how we stayed in Germany & Japan are ridiculous. As if Afghanistan is like those two homogeneous nations. The point made by the commentator on tv about how Afghanistan is a failed narco state hit the nail on the head, too. Heck, the people don't even have a true central government.

Karzai also looked like he got his poop in a group since the Amanpour interview of Sunday on CNN. I'm not surprised that Gates was dispatched to have a talk with him. About time. Simon Schama was right - they didn't tell Karzai everything about our plans before announcing the 18 month point. It would have been beyond interesting to be in the room with Karzai and Gates.

K&R