International
Uncertainty over timing of troop deployment in Kabul
By Atul Aneja
KABUL, DEC. 11. Britain is gearing to lead a multinational force here, despite reservations on the part of Russia and Iran. It is preparing to send around 2000 troops into Afghanistan that will spearhead the multinational force, United Nations sources here said.
Russia, though not comfortable with this arrangement, may go along, provided the British force is lightly armed. On the other hand, the Iranians, in principle, are more vocal in their protest over the landing of an U.N.-authorised multinational force.
But, they may have no choice but to accept the decision. The deployment of the force was the main topic of discussion between the visiting U.N. Special Envoy on Afghanistan, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi, and his Afghan interlocutors today.
Keen on displaying its role in Afghanistan, Britain had unilaterally landed its forces in the Bagram airbase - Afghanistan's key overseas link. Analysts say British activism echoes the chequered history of its relationship with Afghanistan. The latter had formally shed the late 19th century British influence by 1919 but countries such as the United States regarded Afghanistan as the British ``sphere of influence'' for several decades and registered a formal diplomatic presence only in 1942.
While the chances of the British leading the multinational force, comprising mainly of coalition partners, appear brightest, the debate on the composition of the force is far from over.
There is a view in the U.N. circles that the Afghan interim government that is expected to take over on December 22 should be backed by an all-Afghan force. Such a perception is supported by Afghan intellectuals but may not be acceptable to the general masses. Most Afghans are apprehensive about the presence of such a force, which they fear can disintegrate, if in-fighting among the top Afghans leaders resumes.
Diplomatic circles are also debating the timing of the force's deployment. Should the troops be deployed before or after December 22? One view, likely to find favour among the Western countries, is that the troop deployment should be completed before December 22.
Early mobilisation, it is felt, will enhance the sense of security of those Afghans who are part of the interim government but have been staying abroad for years and do not possess a local mass base. But, according to another view, the deployment should be only after the interim government takes over. This will enable the new administration to formally authorise a request for a multinational force which, in turn, will enhance the credibility of the new government.
Meanwhile, on the political front, the return of the interim head of government, Mr. Hamid Karzai, here on Wednesday is no longer certain as his differences with fellow Pashtun leaders in Kandahar are yet to be resolved. Mr. Karzai, as of now, may be able to enter the capital only around December 20, on the eve of the takeover of the interim administration.
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