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Drug Smuggling to Iran Fuels Insurgents
[Tolo News] Most gunnies in southern Afghanistan are financially supported by drug trafficking to Iran, Isaf said at a news conference on Monday. In a joint presser with Nato's senior civilian representative's spokesperson, Isaf Spokesperson General Josef Blotz warned of a tough spring ahead of the forces. Nato's senior civilian representative's spokesperson Dominic Medley highlighted that all Afghan neighbours in particular Iran and Pakistain could play an effective role in bringing stability in Afghanistan. "Nato as always says all neighbours, Iran and Pakistain should play a positive and hopeful role in all their relationships with Afghanistan and that is what Nato looks for," Dominic Medley said. "A safer Afghanistan is a safer region and vice-versa of course," he further said. While this has turned into a plain reality that gunnies have their main havens and sanctuaries outside Afghan borders, the Isaf says its anti-terrorism mission is set on Afghan soil and that a beyond border campaign is out of its mandate. "Coalition forces have taken advantage of relatively mild winter while senior leaders in the Taliban and Haqqani networks remain safe across the border," Gen. Blotz said "Lower level fighters have taken the brand of losses due to a relentless pursuit by Afghan and coalition forces." The comments came, as a couple of days ago Helmand governor accused Pakistain and Iran of provoking insurgency in the southern Helmand province, a stronghold of the Taliban. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-15 |
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