Afghans blast French plan to withdraw troops early

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Afghans blast French plan to withdraw troops early

By KAY JOHNSON, Associated Press – 32 minutes ago

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — France's plans to withdraw its combat troops from Afghanistan a year early drew harsh words Saturday in the Afghan capital, with critics accusing French President Nicolas Sarkozy of putting domestic politics ahead of Afghans' safety.

A wider proposal by Sarkozy for NATO to hand over all security to Afghans by the end of next year also came under fire, with one Afghan lawmaker saying it would be "a big mistake" that would leave security forces unprepared to fight the Taliban insurgency and threaten a new descent into violence in the 10-year-old war.

Sarkozy's decision, which came a week after four French troops were shot dead by an Afghan army trainee suspected of being a Taliban infiltrator, raises new questions about the unity of the U.S.-led military coalition.

It also reopens the debate over whether setting a deadline for troop withdrawals will allow the Taliban to run out the clock and seize more territory once foreign forces are gone.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iC2QsosWlYHKG9pS808Szr0pOJcA?docId=5e28b05f50ce45b1a155f8ad1084c698

[madokie]

1. A different take on this here

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=13&articleid=20120128_13_A18_CUTLIN752456

(snip)
Sarkozy also said France would hand over authority in the strategic province of Kapisa east of Kabul, where nearly all French troops are deployed, to the Afghans in March.

"A new phase is starting with the Afghans in which civilian and development projects will progressively take the handoff from our military presence," Sarkozy said, adding Afghan security "is the business of Afghans."

Karzai, who praised the role of France and other NATO allies, didn't object when Sarkozy said the 2013 timetable was sought by the two countries.

But the Afghan leader appeared to suggest that it was a high-end target.

"Yes, Mr. President, it is right that Afghanistan has to provide for its own security and for the protection of its own people, and for the provision of law and order," Karzai said.