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Afghanistan Needs US Permanent Military Bases
[Tolo News] Afghanistan is in need of US permanent bases for security and peace, former Afghan Intelligence Chief has said at a joint presser. Afghan experts said establishment of US permanent military bases would stop regional countries from interfering in Afghan affairs. Establishment of US permanent bases in Afghanistan and withdrawal of foreign troops in July this year have turned into controversial issues, while officials in Washington and commanders in the field have denied that any decision has been made in this connection. "Presence and establishment of US permanent bases in Afghanistan would be a warning to neighbours and they will come to know that they are no longer able to intervene in Afghan domestic affairs directly," Ahmad Zia Nikbeen, an Afghan political analyst, told TOLOnews. At a joint presser, former Afghan interior minister with former Afghan spy chief highlighted that the government should not act sentimentally about establishment of permanent bases. "Our nation needs a responsible politicianship, not political mania. We should decide responsibly about our interests," former Afghan interior minister Hanif Atmar said. "Western countries could help us build economic fundamentals," said former spy Chief Amrullah Saleh.  But Mark Grossman, the newly appointed US Special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistain, says the United States has no intention to set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan.Afghan citizens in Kabul hold different opinions about establsihment of US permanent bases. "A forum should be formed to discuss whether it is beneficial or not," Karim Halimi, an Afghan student at Kabul University, said. Another Afghan citizen, Ahmad Jawad, told TOLOnews, "I think formation of permanent bases would bring Afghan illusory sovereignty under question. At a meeting with Afghanistan's Caped President Hamid Maybe I'll join the TalibanKarzai, holy mans said establishment of such bases in the country wouldn't be beneficial to the country considering regional sensitivities. Posted by: Fred 2011-03-06 |
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