Karzai welcomes new US Afghan strategy

Afghanistan’s president Hamid Karzai says the US review of policy in the country has his full support.

Speaking at a press conference, Karzai also said the move to include Iran in a regional role was a positive thing.

‘‘It is exactly what the Afghan people were hoping for and were seeking, therefore it has our full support and backing. The strategy includes all aspects of success in Afghanistan and the promotion of success in Afghanistan and the effective war against terrorism,’‘ said Karzai.

On the streets of Kabul, however, America’s new strategy has been greeted with scepticism.

One man said: “In the last seven years, we have not seen any significant benefits from America and other groups in Afghanistan. So I believe that the new strategy will not help us.”

Another Afghan man in the capital declared: “America will not achieve success against terrorism. It is obvious. The whole world knows this fact. They are only cheating us.”

With violence peaking since US forces ousted the Taliban in 2001, the renewed policy aims to target al Qaeda safe havens along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Emphasis will also be given to training Afghan security forces as the US and its allies attempt to crush the Taliban insurgency.

Copyright © 2009 euronews

tags: Afghanistan, USA