Clinton appeals for international support in Afghanistan
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Dec 4, IRNA – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Friday appealed for international support in the faltering Afghan war, pledging that the US would not repeat past mistakes.
“For the US, for Nato, for Muslim communities, for peace-loving people around the world, and most of all for the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, this is a war that must be won. We will do our part. And so must the world,” Clinton said.
“The US is sending an additional 30,000 personnel to Afghanistan, significantly increasing our civilian aid to the Afghan people, and broadening our partnership with Pakistan,” she said.
Clinton’s appeal, published as an article in the Daily Telegraph, came as she headed to Brussels to join Nato talks following US President Barack Obama making his long-awaited commitment to boost American troop numbers to around 100,000.
Other Nato countries were expected to muster only around an extra 5,000 troops between them, half of the number that the US was reportedly seeking.
The eight-year old war, launched by the US with UK support, officially became Nato’s first out-of-era military mission only when Washington turned its attention, again with Britain’s support, to invade Iraq in 2003.
“It should be clear to everyone that we will not repeat the mistakes of the past. The US and our partners will have an enduring commitment to the region,” Clinton said in her appeal.
“The United States has no interest in occupation — we seek partnerships based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual trust,” she said.
Washington, Clinton said, ultimately recognises that “only the Afghan people can decide what kind of nation they want to build for themselves. And only the Pakistani people can ensure their country’s democratic future.”
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