Expect a dribble

[unhappycamper]

Lawmakers worry about pace of Afghan training
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Mar 24, 2010 18:07:34 EDT

If the concerns of certain congressional appropriators about the slow pace and quality of overall Afghan National Security Force training are well-founded, U.S. troops could be in Afghanistan well beyond July 2011 — and their withdrawal, slated to begin July 2011, won’t be much more than a dribble.

“It’s no reflection on our soldiers, who are doing a tremendous job,” said Rep. James Moran, D-Va., during a House defense appropriations subcommittee hearing Wednesday on the Pentagon’s fiscal 2011 budget request.

But according to a recent Newsweek report, he said, fewer than 12 percent of Afghan’s police units can operate on their own despite more than $6 billion spent on their development since 2002.

The development of the Afghan police and other security forces into independent and competent entities is a cornerstone of the Obama administration’s Afghanistan strategy that also aims to sweep away insurgents and help build credible and effective government that citizens will come to trust.

Moran said he fears those security forces won’t be nearly ready to begin assuming responsibility for their nation in 17 months — meaning U.S. and other NATO troops will have to continue filling the void.


Rest of article at: hhttp://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/03/military_afghan_security...