Lately this month four French soldiers were shot dead by an Afghan fellow who was arrested and suspected to be a Taliban infiltrator. As a result, French President, Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, suspended the Afghan military training in haste and announced a pre-planned military pullout. The action obviously differs from the Paris's international commitment as a part of involved international security force in the country.
It has also angered many Afghan civilians and politicians, with due respect to France's efforts and sacrifices made during last ten years, deem the action as part of electoral campaign of President Sarkozy. Seemingly, he would face tough challenges from the rival parties in coming presidential election. Whatever the reason is, the action looks quite hasty and dangerous for current naïve security situation as a result of past ten years of combating insurgency.
Anyhow, it was not the first time that foreign soldiers are shot dead by police, army or someone wearing the uniforms of security forces, but yet no visible steps are carried out to control and stop such activities. Perhaps, there are many others within the security establishment in contact with Taliban-led insurgency and officials have no information where and when they are going to pull the trigger and shoot dead many more. Only it is hoped that Afghan officials take due steps in order to neutralize other possible operation plans.
What is important to be noticed is the status of Mr. President Karzai to the issue. Though he condemned the attack and regretted the deaths of French soldiers, but seemingly he failed to convince his counterparts or, likely, did not try even to convince Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy to reassess the initiative and remain committed to his previous promises.
Instead there is reason that Mr. President Kazai has not only tried to convince his French counterpart but rather motivated him to ignore his promises and pullout as soon as possible!
As during his visit to France and signing long-term strategic cooperation contract after death of French soldiers; in a press release, President Sarkozy announced that his Afghan counterpart agreed to call on NATO/ISAF withdrawal before scheduled timetable, 2014, in the upcoming NATO summit in Brussels. This is terrible of course. Still there is no hope that Afghan forces can make it. Even both domestic and international experts are in view that 2014 is too early. Seeking to pullout in 2013 is truly worrisome. It even can encroach militants to push for privileges in the peace talks process.