Seeking to comprehend the possible strategic options in Afghanistan for the US and its allies, President Bush welcomed NATO’s top diplomat to his ranch Sunday. Bush and first lady Laura Bush greeted Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and his wife, Jeannine to the President’s ranch in Texas for a relaxed weekend. The talks reportedly concentrated on the Afghan issue ranging from the surging violence to the growing humanitarian concerns in the war ravaged country.
Other issues included NATO’s role in Kosovo and U.S. plans for a missile defense system in Europe Defense. Secretary Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice were among the dignitaries joining them.
Nato’s role in Afghanistan has been under scrutiny for some time now, with civilian death figures on the rise. More than 1,600 people have been killed in insurgency-related violence this year, according to U.S., NATO and Afghan figures. The military alliance is trying hard to come up with plans that could decrease the number of innocent lives being claimed in the ongoing war between the Taliban and the western troops.
White House spokesman Tony Fratto said regarding the civilian death toll,
It’s a high priority for us on a hearts-and-minds level: We don’t want to see any erosion of support from the civilian population
Fratto said the blame lies with Taliban militants who use civilians as shields. He felt that
This is a clear, express tactic of the enemy to put civilians in harm’s way
With international pressure on the rise, it is time for the US to back up its plans in Afghanistan with the help of its allies. The Bush administration is urging some European allies to provide more troops to fight Taliban forces in southern Afghanistan and to lift restrictions on how and where soldiers can fight. But the European nations have been reluctant in this regard, calling into question the strength of the Afghan operation and its future course.
Via: USA Today
