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Afghan situation 'worse than government says'

Published: 30 Sep 12 12:49 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120930-45283.html

The German intelligence agency BND thinks the situation in Afghanistan is much more serious than the government has portrayed it, and is expecting an increase in attacks by Afghan soldiers on western troops.

In a report entitled “Afghanistan till 2014 – a prognosis,” seen by Der Spiegel magazine, the BND said it expects the situation to get worse and attempts to re-educate former Taliban fighters have shown “no effect” on the peace process.

Even after the official troop withdrawal set for the end of 2014, the BND estimates that some 35,000 foreign soldiers will be needed in the country to work with the Afghan army to stabilise the country and fight insurgents.

The US government announced on Sunday that it had lost 2,000 troops in the fight in Afghanistan – including two Americans, a soldier and a civilian, who died Sunday in a so-called blue against green attack, which is thought to have been carried out by an Afghan soldier working with American troops.

The US government has suspended joint military maneuvers as the attacks by Afghan soldiers on US military personnel continues.

The BND was especially critical of the Karzai government, saying corruption and nepotism run rampant in the Kabul regime. The report, which is classified as confidential, said the Karzai government is not directed at reform or the promised fight against corruption but on maintaining power.

Karzai’s assurances to the West “remain declarations of intention” the report said.

The BND expects Karzai to push for his older brother’s candidacy at elections in 2014 in order to “ensure the maintenance of family interests and power.”

The Local/mw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Your comments about this article:

16:24 September 30, 2012 by IchBinKönig
Where is it BETTER than the Government says in the ME? Libya, Egypt, Syria, Pakistan, Bangladesh? Of course, by telling the Truth here, I will be accused of being an extremist myself.

After violent attacks in the ME, you even have solidarity rallies for the attackers in Germany. So, its worse than the Government says in Germany, too.
22:22 September 30, 2012 by ovalle3.14
To all war mongers I recommend the novel Fiasko, from Stanisław Lem.
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