Three British Cabinet Ministers led by Foreign Secretary William Hague have arrived in Kabul to brainstorm a credible exit strategy for British troops deployed in Afghanistan.
One of the focal concerns of the trio, which includes Defence Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell, is to step up training of Afghan troops, so that they are not significantly dependent on external support.
Dr. Fox was quoted as saying he was seeking a British troop exit from Afghanistan “as soon as possible”. However, Mr. Mitchell cautioned that it was crucial to have in place first, a viable state in Afghanistan.
Referring to timelines, the Defence Secretary said the estimation of General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. commander of international forces, that Afghan forces were expected to become self-reliant by 2014 was being given serious consideration.
Dr. Fox also pointed out that British exit strategy would not be guided by consideration of nation-building in Afghanistan. “National security is the focus now. We are not a global policeman. We are not in Afghanistan for the sake of the education policy in a broken 13th-century country. We are there so the people of Britain and our global interests are not threatened.”
The first visit to Afghanistan by members of the new British coalition government coincided with a meeting of disparate Afghan groups to promote internal reconciliation.
Rival Afghan groups which included the Hezbi-i-Islami, Jamaat Islami and Jumbesh Islami have concluded two-day talks with 13 members of Afghan Parliament and a Governor at the Paradise tourist resort island in the Maldives.
In a statement, Maldivian President Mohammed Nasheed said Afghanistan's stability would half a major impact on promoting security in the region. The meeting, which is the second that has been held in Maldives precedes the Jirga — a conclave of Afghan tribal and community elders that is being hosted in end May by Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai.
