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Afghan Army Likely to Fragment After West Quits
[Tolo News] Chaos within Afghan national army would result into fragmentation of the force after foreign forces pull out.An Afghan military official told TOLOnews on condition of anonymity that foreign troops' presence in Afghanistan is a great requirement to strengthening the county's national army. But Defence Ministry Spokesman dismissing the comments said national army increasingly grows more strength with each day past. The official claimed ethnic composition is considered in recruitment of soldiers but not in appointments for key military positions. "We are really concerned about this issue, because military appointments are done in favour of one ethnicity," the military official said. Presently Afghan army is made of more than 42 percent Pashtuns, more than 40 percent of Tajiks and the rest are from other ethnicities', according to the defence ministry. Gen. Zaher Azimi, Defence Ministry Spokesperson, highlighted that at first competence and merit is considered in appointments in the ministry and ethnic balance comes second. "We try to keep a balance in the army. First of all we consider professional skills and capabilities and secondly ethnic aspects are considered," said Gen Azimi. The bigwig warned that Afghan army will be hit with a flood of challenges after foreign forces leave the country. "It is impossible to compare last year with this year, because our capacities are raised to the point that we are ready for security transition. The speculations that the army will go into parts by 2014 are baseless," Gen. Azimi added. Posted by: Fred 2011-01-17 |
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