World | Afghanistan
US in the throes of a dilemma
Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman, said recently that previous deals had not worked. US intelligence agencies have warned that past deals only ended up providing a haven for Al Qaida.
- Financial Times
- Published: 23:39 May 16, 2008
Washington: The government's efforts to negotiate peace deals with militants in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan have raised concerns both in Kabul and Washington, and created a sharp dilemma for the Bush administration. Nato warned last week that the peace deals appeared to have led to increased violence in eastern Afghanistan.
Dana Perino, White House spokeswoman, said recently that previous deals had not worked. US intelligence agencies have warned that past deals only ended up providing a haven for Al Qaida.
One senior US military officer said that while there were serious reservations about the deals, the Pentagon wanted to give the new government and General Ashfaq Kiyani, head of the Pakistani military, "some time to move ahead".
Lisa Curtis, an expert on Pakistan at the Heritage Foundation, said the issue posed a dilemma for Washington. She said the US was caught between wanting to support the new government, which it believes provides the best hope for long-term stability, while remaining concerned that the deals could provide a safer base for Al Qaida. "There is a concern these deals, while they might provide a temporary respite in terms of the suicide bombings in Pakistan, might actually heighten the international threat coming from the region," she said.
Afghanistan
French president in Afghanistan talks of pullout
Two foreign doctors abducted
US ambassador to Kabul to quit, embassy says
Afghan troops complain about obsolete gear
Top Afghan peace negotiator killed
Procurement switch puts boot into Afghan dream
US struck secret deal with Taliban
Soldiers take dogs back home to bust stress
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Kuwait condemns Houla massacre
Arab League urged to put end to oppression of Syrian people
-
Road crashes main cause of child death in UAE
Death rate among children in car accidents in the UAE is three times higher than global average
-
Last minute ID rush is on
Expatriates in Dubai have thronged typing centres and Emirates ID registration offices to meet the May 31 registration deadline
