WASHINGTON: Pentagon officials have been telling President Barack Obama that a significant number of troops cannot be called back from Afghanistan this July. The Defence Department and the White House have been mulling over a strategy to convince the American people of the necessity of a slow but steady withdrawal over a long period of time rather than a quick removal.
They warn that despite the death of Osama bin Laden, the Taliban and al-Qaeda continue to pose a cross-border threat. The department of Defence is willing to let a smaller of number of troops leave Afghanistan. These troops might not necessarily be part of combatant forces.
Secretary of Defence Robert Gates echoed this when he said he wanted to preserve as much combat power as possible. “If it were up to me, I would leave the shooters until last.” But the troops leaving Afghanistan will not just comprise of combat forces.
It is likely to include other units involved in logistics and construction. I think it will be a mix, said Gates. He predicted the number of troops leaving in July would be ‘modest’ and stressed that the United States does not want to send a signal of resolve to anyone.
So far the Pentagon has proposed to call back a few combat brigades of between 3,000 and 5,000 troops. Another 5,000 will be called back later in December. The Pentagon based its proposal on suggestions made by the officers on the ground in Afghanistan.
The commanders of US forces in Afghanistan are still reluctant to let go of the troops under their command, citing a need to redeploy them in new volatile areas. These most volatile areas are along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In an interview last week, Nato commander in Afghanis-tan, US Army Lt Gen David Rodriguez said that the forces have not focused their energy and efforts in eastern Afghanistan. Now the US and Nato want to focus in on cross-border activities and possibly Taliban and Haqqani network fighters.
from http://paktribune.com
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