Petraeus: Afghan tribes could fight militants

[unhappycamper]

Petraeus: Afghan tribes could fight militants
By Fisnik Abrashi - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Nov 6, 2008 21:37:48 EST

BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan — Afghan tribes are needed as crucial battlefield allies against the Taliban and other extremists in the same way local militias rose up to oppose insurgents in Iraq, the new military overseer of America’s two wars said.

The tactic has long been endorsed by Gen. David Petraeus — the former top U.S. commander in Iraq whose outreach to Sunni sheiks helped oust al-Qaida-inspired militants from key areas and sharply decreased attacks.

But his latest comments — on his first trip to Afghanistan since taking charge of U.S. Central Command last week — appeared aimed at pressing the Afghan leadership to recognize the need for tribal militia allies at a time when violence in Afghanistan is at its highest levels since 2001.

It also reflects Washington’s expected shift in military focus from Iraq to Afghanistan and the neighboring tribal areas in Pakistan, which President-elect Barack Obama has described as the main showdown against the resurgent al-Qaida, Taliban and other militants.

“This is a country in which support of the tribes, of the local communities, for the overall effort is essential,” Petraeus told The Associated Press at the massive Bagram Air Base north of Kabul. “It is a country that has not have a tradition of central government extending into the far reaches of its provinces and its districts.”


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/11/ap_petraeus_afghanistan_110608w/%2e