Iraq War Worries Afghan Peacekeeper
Fri Nov 22, 6:39 PM ET Add White House - AP Cabinet & State to My Yahoo!
By HARRY DUNPHY, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - War on Iraq could trigger terror attacks on the 4,800-strong international force maintaining security in Afghanistan (news - web sites), the unit's Turkish commander said Friday.
"The only thing I can say is that if there is any Iraq operation, it means terrorist attacks against ISAF may start," Maj. Gen. Hilmi Akin Zorlu said. "This is my concern and the concern of other commanders" in the International Security Assistance Force.
Zorlu was visiting to report to U.S. officials including Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz as Turkey prepares to relinquish command of the security force Dec. 20 after six months. He said he told Wolfowitz that aid to the Afghans should be increased without delay.
Zorlu said he expected Germany and the Netherlands to take over when Turkey's mandate ends, but whether that happens on schedule was up to political leaders. He said there have been preliminary discussions with the Germans.
The Turkish contingent in Afghanistan numbers 1,400, the largest in the international force of 22 countries that operates in an around Kabul, the capital. Turkey, NATO (news - web sites)'s only predominantly Muslim member, agreed to take command of the force in return for U.S. pledges of financial aid and military equipment including heavy cargo planes.
Asked at a news conference at the Turkish Embassy if the security force should be deployed to areas of Afghanistan beyond the capital, Zorlu said because the international community could not agree on this necessity, he did not expect it to happen soon.
He said he expected the peacekeeping force to remain in Afghanistan 2 to 3 more years to give President Hamid Karzai's government time to complete training of a new army and deploy it around the country, where warlords and forces loyal to them remain in control.
Zorlu said the security in Kabul is improving daily despite threats from remnants of the al-Qaida terror network.
"The crime rates are lower than similar-sized Western cities," he said. "The night curfew was lifted for the first time in 23 years on Nov. 3, and so far there has been no indication of any crime increase."
He said al-Qaida groups and others opposed to the government still carry out isolated attacks and disrupt life in Kabul.
He said the number of daily foot patrols by his peacekeepers has increased from 30 in a 24-hour period during June to 42, and on some days it reaches 60. His forces also are involved in reconstruction, health and education projects.
Asked what advice he would give his successor, Zorlu said security troops must behave politely to Afghans so they are not perceived as an invading army. He also said forces must respect Afghan religious beliefs and customs and avoid any involvement in Afghan politics. |
