Afghan pullout: It’ll not be a complete withdrawal, says UK envoy

William Patey says the ongoing process in Afghanistan is "all talk about talks".


Masror Hausen June 08, 2011
Afghan pullout: It’ll not be a complete withdrawal, says UK envoy

ISLAMABAD:


NATO-ISAF forces have announced their intention to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2014, but the British ambassador in Kabul, William Patey, believes it will not be a complete withdrawal.


Talking to a select group of journalists at the British High Commission in Islamabad, the visiting envoy said US and NATO forces will “never abandon Afghanistan.” He said the anxiety brewing in the minds of Pakistanis and other regional stakeholders is understandable.

“Pakistan is now engaging the Taliban and extremists in a more serious way, although Kabul believes Pakistan should do more to encourage the reconciliation process in Afghanistan,” said Patey.  He acknowledged Pakistan’s legitimate security interests in Afghanistan, and added that “Kabul longs for a friendly Pakistan.”

He said drone attacks in the tribal areas may end once the security situation in Afghanistan improves, although he clarified that this is a matter between Pakistan and the US. He emphasised that Britain is a friend to both countries.

As for the ongoing process in Afghanistan, Patey said, “At the moment it’s all talk about talks,” giving the impression that reconciliation with the Taliban is viewed in Kabul as the only way out for the NATO-ISAF forces. And thus far, there has been no substantial success along these lines.



Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Ahmer Ali | 13 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.US and NATO troops' main objective is to stay in South East Asia by the usage of any hidden intentions so that Chinese,Iranian and Pakistani governments' activities could be monitored easily,completely,more conveniently and closely and for the fulfillment of this furtive purpose US and Western countries deployed their forces no matter how many troops are killed and how many war vehicles are destroyed in Afghanistan by using the useless base of eradication of terrorism in other words fake terrorism and now despite announcing the withdrawal dates of US and NATO troops they are using lame excuses to stay in Afghanistan and our corrupt,beggars and slaves leaders couldn't understand their this furtive purpose and started a self-destruction war against the Taliban/Alqaeda within Pakistan by knowing all facts and figures about this self-destruction war and now are facing the music in the form of innocent muslims' killings,destruction of precious buildings and vehicles within Pakistan.When our corrupt,beggars and slaves leaders shall wake up from the dreams of carelessness and understand the furtive purpose of Western countries?
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