KABUL - The second phase of security transition from international troops to Afghan forces started in the central province of Parwan on Thursday, officials said.
All but two districts of Parwan are due for transition, which will also cover many parts of Sar-i-Pul province. Sayad and Behsud (Part 1), however, are not on the list of regions for the security transfer.
Parwan Governor Abdul Basir Salangi told a gathering they were ready for the switch, but one battalion each of the Afghan National Army (ANA) and Quick Reaction Force should be deployed to the province.
Another 100 policemen be deployed to Koh Safi and Bagram districts, the governor demanded. "People are cooperating with us. Without their cooperation, we can't maintain security," he said, seeking work opportunities for the people.
"Our goal is to transfer the security responsibility to Afghan forces across the country by the end of 2014," Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, head of the transition commission, told the participants.
The Afghan security personnel, through coordination, could properly perform their duties, he said, referring to the tight arrangements put in place for last month's traditional Loya Jirga in Kabul.
"Should we seriously want to achieve our goal by the end of 2014, we have to banish corruption and the misuse of power," stressed Ghani, a former finance minster.
Despite a shortage of equipment and weapons, Afghan security forces would be able to shoulder this, Defense Minister Gen. Abdul Wardak said, adding the security personnel's capacity would be improved before the process was completed.
He hastened to explain security transition did not mean an aid cut-off by the international community. Foreign assistance would continue beyond 2014, he said.
US Ambassador Ryan Crocker, hailing the process as a success, said the Afghan government had made good achievements over the past 10 years. The gains would be highlighted at the second Bonn Conference, where Kabul would seek assistance beyond 2014, he added.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) Commander Gen. John Allen said: "Together with our Afghans partners, we have been combating terrorism over the past 10 years to enable Afghans to ensure their national security."
They have constructed military buildings in the province at a cost of $52 million and would spend another $152 million on education and training of Afghan forces, good governance and infrastructure development, he promised.
When implemented, the second phase of transition will see 50 percent of the country transferred to the Afghan security lead. The first phase that started from Bamyan province on July 17 has been completed in Panjsher, Kabul, excluding Sarobi district, Mehtarlam, Lashkargah, Herat City and Mazar-i-Sharif.
During the current phase, Faizabad, Shahr-i-Buzurg, Yaftal Sofla, Arghanchkhwa, Baharak, Tishkan, Kishm and Argu districts of the remote northern province of Badakhshan will also transition to Afghan forces.
The Aab Kamari district of Badghis, Nawa, Nad Ali and Marja in Helmand, Herat province -- excluding Shindand, Oba and Chisht Sharif -- Qarghayee in Laghman and Behsud, Kooz Kunar and Surkh Rod in Nangarhar will also change hands.