NATO fights on all fronts in
Afghanistan By Syed Saleem
Shahzad
KABUL - In a move that heightens
the growing debate over the correct balance
between counterinsurgency and humanitarian efforts
in Afghanistan, the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) issued a statement from Geneva on
Tuesday saying the humanitarian situation in the
country is worse than it was a year ago.
Pierre Kraehenbuehl, director of
operations of the ICRC, said, "Civilians suffer
horribly from mounting threats to their security,
such as increasing numbers of roadside bombs and suicide
attacks, and regular aerial
bombing raids. They also lack access to basic
services. It is incredibly difficult for ordinary
Afghans to lead a normal life."
The ICRC
is the only organization which has a presence
across Afghanistan and because of its active
engagement in humanitarian efforts aimed at all
parties in the conflict its connections and
outreach are immense compared to other
organizations.
"Since 2006, the conflict
pitting Afghan and international forces against
the armed opposition has significantly intensified
in the south and east of the country and is
spreading to the north and west. The result has
been a growing number of civilian casualties. In
an ever-more polarized context such as
Afghanistan, it has become increasingly
challenging to carry out humanitarian work outside
major cities," the ICRC said.
European
countries adopt different approaches in
Afghanistan. Italy and Spain, for example, are
reluctant to actively engage in counterinsurgency
operations. This is especially so in the
northwest, where the Taliban have slipped from the
southwest and regrouped in Faryab, Badghis, Herat
and Farah provinces. The Italians are more
involved in reconstruction projects as the
leadership in Rome aims to distance itself from
any political imbroglio at home.
In this
situation, the two main allies of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization coalition, the United
States and Britain, are at the forefront of the
military action. Faced with the unrelenting
insurgency and instability, there is always the
need to refine tactics.
"Insurgencies like
the one in Afghanistan always have more than one
therapy and we are applying them all to bring
peace and stability to the country," the newly
appointed British ambassador in Afghanistan, Sir
Sherard Cowper-Coles, told Asia Times Online in an
interview at his Kabul residence.
The
Oxford-educated ambassador, who has served in
Israel and Saudi Arabia, referred to London's
dealings with the Irish Republican Army as one way
to resolve the Afghan insurgency, that is, by
means of dialogue.
This is echoed by
veteran Afghan politician and commander Gulbuddin
Hekmatyar, who has loose links with the Taliban,
in his call for talks with the Afghan government.
Western intelligence agents based in Kabul
are also aware of some disgruntlement in the rank
and file of the Taliban loyal to the powerful
former mujahideen leader Jalaluddin Haqqani. The
NATO command does not want to read too much into
any differences but will be ready to try to
exploit them should they increase.
"A
political approach is already operational to
resolve the problems. There is the Program for
Strengthening Peace and Reconciliation [PTS]
initiative for individuals [to hand over their
arms], but insurgents need to shun the violence,"
Sir Sherard said.
A consensus is emerging
among Western allies that external help in running
Afghanistan will not work. What is needed is a
program to identify and nurture credible people in
the tribal system who would run Afghanistan
through indigenous diligence, no matter their
background, be it liberal, Taliban or the
Hezb-e-Islami of Hekmatyar.
On Monday, Tom
Koenigs, the special representative in Afghanistan
of the United Nations secretary general, admitted
in a press conference that instability was growing
across the country. He emphasized that the era of
untrained police and an unreliable judiciary
should end. He implied that Afghanistan's
infrastructure is unable to contain the
insurgency, let alone put the country on the road
to peace and stability.
Western
dilemma Differening perspectives hamper
NATO's capability to effectively counter the
insurgency and the deteriorating situation in
Afghanistan.
A frustrating incident for
the coalition forces was the abduction in March of
Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo by the
Taliban in Helmand province. NATO command was
unwilling to strike any deal which would benefit
the Taliban. But the Italian ambassador in Kabul
approached President Hamid Karzai and explained
that if Mastrogiacomo were killed, it would be a
serious problem in Italy - to such a degree that
Rome would be forced to pull out its 2,000 troops.
So through various back channels the
Italian Embassy spoke with the Taliban and agreed
to swap five Taliban prisoners in exchange for
Mastrogiacomo. The Italian ambassador personally
went to the prison where the Taliban prisoners
were held and made sure they were released.
The Taliban were also apparently paid 20
million afghani (about US$405,000). Mastrogiacomo
was subsequently set free in April. Ironically,
three of the Taliban commanders freed in the
exchange were killed in the raid that killed
notorious Taliban leader Mullah Dadullah last
month.
This left a bitter taste for many
and there remains tension between the Italians and
NATO command, especially as the Italians are not
too involved in anti-insurgency activities.
Ambassador Sir Sherard nevertheless
believes that measures taken by the Western
coalition to strengthen the country's social and
political fabric will continue and eventually bear
fruit.
"The masses are not behind
the Taliban and that's why the Taliban have
returned to asymmetric warfare in which only
Afghan civilians, innocent children and women are
victims," Sir Sherard said.
Syed
Saleem Shahzad is Asia Times Online's Pakistan
Bureau Chief. He can be reached atsaleem_shahzad2002@yahoo.com.
(Copyright
2007 Asia Times Online Ltd. All rights reserved.
Please contact us about sales, syndication and republishing.)
Head
Office: Unit B, 16/F, Li Dong Building, No. 9 Li Yuen Street East,
Central, Hong Kong Thailand Bureau:
11/13 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab Kirikhan, Thailand 77110
