Brussels, 10/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Former EU Special Representative Francesc Vendrell, speaking on Tuesday 9 September, said that the political and military situation in Afghanistan “isn't good”, but is not desperate. After ten years in this post, Vendrell, who was replaced by Ettore Francesco Sequi on 1 September, called on the EU to maintain its commitment on the ground.
The solution will be political, but we must “remain militarily engaged”, he stressed, and he said that there had to be a review of strategy and a comprehensive approach adopted that would, for instance, be able to deal with the issue of the Taliban taking refuge in Pakistan. While “there is no chance of a Taliban victory for as long as we (Ed: the West) are there”, for the moment “neither side seems to be winning”, although he acknowledged that the situation had deteriorated in the eastern provinces. He said that dialogue with the Taliban had to be given consideration, no matter the issues that that might raise in terms of principles and values.
Although the EU police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) was not his direct responsibility, Vendrell, nonetheless, noted some deficiencies. “We still need to do far more,” he stressed, because missions for police or legal system reform are “very difficult” and patience is required. “I am glad that Europe is doubling its police presence (Ed: a decision was taken by the Council in May, but it is proving difficult to recruit trained personnel) but I hope it is coupled with a doubling of the quality of persons who are sent there,” he opined. “The Europeans would like to see a number of changes in the way the Afghan Home Affairs Ministry operates,” he also said. (A.B./transl.rt)