Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Disengaging Assistance to Afghanistan, Pakistan Undermines US Interests: Clinton

Disengaging Assistance to Afghanistan, Pakistan Undermines US Interests: Clinton

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday that disengaging civilian assistance to Afghanistan and Pakistan undermines US interests in the region ahead of Washington's decision to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.
Clinton said in a statement that the civilian surge in Afghanistan and Pakistan that President Obama launched in 2009 to accompany the military surge in Afghanistan "has helped advance our goals of defeating al-Qaeda, reversing the Taliban's momentum in key areas, and bolstering the economy and civil society of both countries." "As U.S. troops begin a phased drawdown in Afghanistan as part of the larger plan for transition, our civilian initiatives in both Afghanistan and Pakistan are assuming new importance," she added.

Clinton, who was commenting on the release of the status report on Afghanistan and Pakistan civilian engagement, affirmed that the US administration "will continue the fight, as coalition and Afghan forces increase the pressure on the Taliban, the Haqqani network, and other insurgents.

We will continue supporting an Afghan-led peace process that meets our red-lines." "This won't be easy, but reconciliation is still possible and is the best hope for peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.

And we will continue to build capacity and opportunity in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and across the region, because lasting stability and security go hand in hand with greater economic opportunity," she added.

Clinton noted that US civilian efforts "were never designed to solve all of Afghanistan's development challenges or to completely turn around Pakistan's economy.

But they do aim to give Afghans and Pakistanis a stake in their countries' futures and undercut the appeal of insurgency." "It is critical to our broader strategy that civilian assistance continues in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Disengaging now would undermine our military and political efforts and the national security interests of the United States," she added. "The support and advice of Congress will be crucial. I look forward to continuing to work closely with members of both chambers and parties to ensure that our diplomats and development experts have the resources and the support they need to advance our goals in Afghanistan and Pakistan and our national security around the world," she concluded. (KUNA)