Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

No Cut in Forces’ Strength Till 2017: Mohammadi

No Cut in Forces’ Strength Till 2017: Mohammadi

Number of ANSF would be slashed to 228,500 from 352,000: Wardak

KABUL - Minister of Interior Bismillah Mohammadi on Wednesday said much work had been done to avoid a cut in the end-size of Afghan security forces until 2017.
He was summoned by the Wolesi Jirga along with Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak and Deputy Foreign Minister Javed Lodin to brief lawmakers on the Chicago summit, taking place later this month.
Heads of NATO member states are scheduled to meet in Chicago on May 20-21 to discuss funding Afghan security forces after 2014, when all foreign combat troops are scheduled to leave the country.

Mohammadi told the house they would ask NATO states at the summit not to reduce the strength of Afghan security forces until 2017 and would seek their support in this regard.
The minister claimed a number of countries were aiding insurgents and if the covert support continued, the rebels could continue to step up their activities until 2017. He argued any cuts in the size of forces would have no impact once the security situation improved.

But he acknowledges if they could not bring peace to the country by 2017, insecurity would increase and they would need more forces. He stressed the need for increased coordination among Afghan security forces in their efforts to stabilise the country.

Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said NATO's defense ministers prepared a draft agenda for the Chicago summit at a meeting on Feb. 2. According to the draft, the number of Afghan forces would be slashed to 228,500 from 352,000, he explained.

"I have told them that this number is too little in comparison to forces in regional countries and they will not be able to maintain security on their own after foreign troops' withdrawal," the defense minister said.
Wardak said he had cautioned against reducing the strength of Afghan forces as long as security threats to the country did not drop to zero and foreign countries stopped aiding the rebels. "No final decision has so far been taken regarding cuts in the size of Afghan forces."

Wardak said training and equipping Afghan forces and NATO's future mission in Afghanistan were some core points to be discussed at the Chicago summit.
Shifting overall responsibility of military operations to Afghan forces and NATO's support, if needed, in this regard would also be discussed, he added.

President Hamid Karzai was expected to stress the need for advanced training to Afghan forces in Chicago, Wardak said, revealing several countries, including Poland, had promised to leave their military equipment to Afghan forces.

Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal told the house that NATO countries were expected to pledge $4.1 billion in aid each year to Afghanistan until 2024.

After 2014, he said, Afghanistan would inject $500 million from its domestic revenue as annual expenses for security forces, with the amount increasing by five percent every year.

Deputy Foreign Minister said NATO member countries would renew their pledges at the Chicago Summit. Javed Lodin said it would be revealed at the summit which country would support Afghan forces in which particular department. (Pajhwok)