Secretary Clinton: July 2011 “is the start of a new phase, not the end of our involvement” in Afghanistan; President Karzai presents a roadmap seeking Afghans in charge of security by 2014; EAM Krishna: Afghanistan could not be free of violence unless e
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  • Addressing the International donors’ conference in Kabul on July 20th US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton vowed that the United States and its allies will stand by Afghanistan even as fears are growing. Commenting on the planned drawdown of US forces from Afghanistan in July 2011, Clinton said that it was not a sign of flagging commitment. She stated, “The July 2011 date captures both our sense of urgency and the strength of our resolve…but this date is the start of a new phase, not the end of our involvement.” The Kabul conference was co-chaired by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon in which leaders and officials of 70 nations participated.1

    While making his opening remarks at the conference, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, “Today, I invite us to elevate our vision above the din of the battle with our common enemies and to focus on our noble goal: a peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan." Karzai presented a roadmap for making Afghans in charge of security of the nation by 2014 as well as curbing government corruption before that time. His roadmap included peace talks with the Taliban; government reform; and gradual assumption of control by Afghanistan of billions of dollars in foreign aid, as well as the military prosecution of the war.2

    India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna while making his remarks at the conference cautioned that “terrorism cannot be compartmentalised”. He pointed out that Afghanistan could not be free of violence unless efforts were made to deny terrorist their “support, sustenance and sanctuaries.” EAM Krishna expressed concerns about the Taliban reintegration process. However, he noted that India supports Afghanistan’s efforts towards peace and reintegration. But for such an effort to succeed, it must be fully Afghan-led and Afghan-owned and carry all sections of Afghanistan’s population together as well as abide by the red lines agreed to at the London Conference that is giving up violence, cutting off all links with terrorism, whether jihadi or state-sponsored.3 Upon his return to New Delhi, while responding to a question regarding proposed drawdown of US forces from July 2011, EAM Krishna said that international presence is needed in Afghanistan for a much longer time than it has now been projected as it will act as some kind of insulation to Afghanistan for normalisation.4

    However, NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has warned that Taliban could return back to power in Afghanistan if the international forces leave the country prematurely. While addressing a joint press conference with Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in Islamabad, Rasmussen said, “"We cannot leave Afghanistan prematurely before we have finished our job, the Taliban would easily return...Afghanistan could again serve as a launching-pad of terrorist attacks."5

    Meanwhile, acting against Haqqani network and Taliban, US Department of Treasury has slapped financial sanctions against three of their top leaders named Nasiruddin Haqqani, Gul Agha Ishakzai and Amir Abdullah. Nasiruddin is brother of key Taliban leader Sirajudin Haqqani while other two insurgents have important positions in the Taliban’s organizational hierarchy. This sanction will freeze the assets of these militants, ban their travel and trigger an arms embargo. Reports noted that this move could be a big setback to Pakistan army as it has been cozying up with the Haqqani network.6

    Earlier this week, Afghanistan and Pakistan has signed Afghan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) which will allow Afghanistan to export goods to India via Pakistan and use Pakistani ports to trade with other countries. On the other hand, Pakistan will also be able to use Afghan territory for its exports to central Asian countries. It was noted however, that deal will not allow India to transit through Pakistan to send goods to Afghanistan. The agreement was signed by Afghan Commerce and Trade minister, Dr. Anwaul Haq Ahadi and the Pakistan’s Commerce minister, Makhdoom Amin Fahim in presence of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. It took almost 46 years for this deal to get signed.7

    In other developments, the US Senate has rejected emergency funding bill for military operations in Afghanistan. The senate has sent it back to the House of Representatives because this bill included billions in non-military spending. The budget supplemental is intended to finance the 30,000 extra US troops in Afghanistan which was ordered by Obama administration in December 2009.8

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