thedrifter
03-27-09, 07:50 AM
Envoy choice urges boosting war effort
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 26, 2009 12:31:35 EDT
WASHINGTON — The nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies must act fast to pour more money, troops and civilian expertise into the war.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry told the Senate on Thursday that with the war effort lagging, the United States and the international community must do more to build Afghan army and police forces, strengthen the Afghan government, improve the rule of law and make greater strides against the drug trade.
“The way ahead is clear but the resources to date have, regrettably, been insufficient,” Eikenberry told his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He faces no apparent opposition and could be confirmed as early as next week.
Eikenberry, a West Point graduate with a wide range of military experience, would succeed William B. Wood, a career diplomat who has headed the U.S. Embassy there since April 2007.
If confirmed for the post, Eikenberry has said he would retire from the Army.
In his opening statement, Eikenberry underscored what he called the urgency of the requirement to turn around the war effort, which has evolved into a stalemate in key parts of Afghanistan as the Taliban-led insurgency has gained clout.
“Time is of the essence,” Eikenberry said. “There will be no substitute for more resources and sacrifice.”
He said Europeans, for example, should be expected to provide more mentors for Afghan police trainees. Another key to success, he said, is getting more civilian experts such as agriculture specialists and justice experts who can help reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on the illicit narcotics trade.
Eikenberry spoke one day before the Obama administration is expected to unveil a new, broader strategy for Afghanistan, including new initiatives in support of neighboring Pakistan.
He said U.S. goals in Afghanistan are clear and are inseparable from problems inside Pakistan, which is threatened by an Islamic extremist insurgency and has failed to stop the flow of insurgents into Afghanistan.
“The overriding objective inside of Afghanistan and Pakistan is to disrupt and eventually defeat the international terrorists and their capabilities that still threaten our homeland,” said Eikenberry, who was working in the Pentagon when it was hit on Sept. 11. Over time, he said, the international community must “help Afghans create conditions so that international terrorism will never regain a refuge there.”
He stressed the urgency of turning around the war effort.
“The Afghans have two frustrations,” he said. “One is that they are aware of the threat that comes from Pakistan. And they suffer from that threat, and so there is a degree of impatience with that. The second is a growing impatience with the lack of development of their government.” He said inadequate governance and adherence to the rule of law make it harder to “hold off the Taliban and their gains.”
Eikenberry has stirred no apparent opposition from any member of the committee.
“As our ambassador to Afghanistan, General Eikenberry will be able to draw upon extensive experience in engaging international partners and facilitating a more collaborative effort with the Afghans,” Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the committee’s top Republican, said at the hearing’s outset.
Eikenberry has previous experience in the political-military arena. He served as the U.S. defense attache in Beijing, and he did a stint in Hawaii as director for strategic planning for the U.S. Pacific Command.
Fluent in Chinese, Eikenberry also is a scholar of Chinese history, including ancient Chinese military history. He has two master’s degrees — one in East Asian studies from Harvard and another in political science from Stanford.
John Naland, president of the American Foreign Service Association, a professional organization of retired and active members of the U.S. foreign service, said he knew of no other case of an active-duty general or admiral being nominated for an ambassadorship.
Joseph Prueher, a retired four-star admiral, had left the Navy several months before he became U.S. ambassador to China in November 1999. Another retired Navy admiral, William Crowe, served as ambassador to Britain during the Clinton administration.
Eikenberry has served since 2007 as deputy chairman of NATO’s military committee in Brussels. Before that he was the top American commander in Afghanistan for two years — his second tour of duty there. He previously was chief of military cooperation, with responsibility for developing Afghan security forces.
Stephen Biddle, a defense specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations and a recent visitor to Afghanistan, said in a telephone interview that there would appear to be reason for concern about possible friction between Eikenberry and the current top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan.
“Given that most people think the situation in Afghanistan has been getting worse, and that policies are going to have to change, you just wonder what the chemistry will be between these two guys,” Biddle said.
Ellie
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Mar 26, 2009 12:31:35 EDT
WASHINGTON — The nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan said Thursday that the U.S. and its allies must act fast to pour more money, troops and civilian expertise into the war.
Army Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry told the Senate on Thursday that with the war effort lagging, the United States and the international community must do more to build Afghan army and police forces, strengthen the Afghan government, improve the rule of law and make greater strides against the drug trade.
“The way ahead is clear but the resources to date have, regrettably, been insufficient,” Eikenberry told his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He faces no apparent opposition and could be confirmed as early as next week.
Eikenberry, a West Point graduate with a wide range of military experience, would succeed William B. Wood, a career diplomat who has headed the U.S. Embassy there since April 2007.
If confirmed for the post, Eikenberry has said he would retire from the Army.
In his opening statement, Eikenberry underscored what he called the urgency of the requirement to turn around the war effort, which has evolved into a stalemate in key parts of Afghanistan as the Taliban-led insurgency has gained clout.
“Time is of the essence,” Eikenberry said. “There will be no substitute for more resources and sacrifice.”
He said Europeans, for example, should be expected to provide more mentors for Afghan police trainees. Another key to success, he said, is getting more civilian experts such as agriculture specialists and justice experts who can help reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on the illicit narcotics trade.
Eikenberry spoke one day before the Obama administration is expected to unveil a new, broader strategy for Afghanistan, including new initiatives in support of neighboring Pakistan.
He said U.S. goals in Afghanistan are clear and are inseparable from problems inside Pakistan, which is threatened by an Islamic extremist insurgency and has failed to stop the flow of insurgents into Afghanistan.
“The overriding objective inside of Afghanistan and Pakistan is to disrupt and eventually defeat the international terrorists and their capabilities that still threaten our homeland,” said Eikenberry, who was working in the Pentagon when it was hit on Sept. 11. Over time, he said, the international community must “help Afghans create conditions so that international terrorism will never regain a refuge there.”
He stressed the urgency of turning around the war effort.
“The Afghans have two frustrations,” he said. “One is that they are aware of the threat that comes from Pakistan. And they suffer from that threat, and so there is a degree of impatience with that. The second is a growing impatience with the lack of development of their government.” He said inadequate governance and adherence to the rule of law make it harder to “hold off the Taliban and their gains.”
Eikenberry has stirred no apparent opposition from any member of the committee.
“As our ambassador to Afghanistan, General Eikenberry will be able to draw upon extensive experience in engaging international partners and facilitating a more collaborative effort with the Afghans,” Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, the committee’s top Republican, said at the hearing’s outset.
Eikenberry has previous experience in the political-military arena. He served as the U.S. defense attache in Beijing, and he did a stint in Hawaii as director for strategic planning for the U.S. Pacific Command.
Fluent in Chinese, Eikenberry also is a scholar of Chinese history, including ancient Chinese military history. He has two master’s degrees — one in East Asian studies from Harvard and another in political science from Stanford.
John Naland, president of the American Foreign Service Association, a professional organization of retired and active members of the U.S. foreign service, said he knew of no other case of an active-duty general or admiral being nominated for an ambassadorship.
Joseph Prueher, a retired four-star admiral, had left the Navy several months before he became U.S. ambassador to China in November 1999. Another retired Navy admiral, William Crowe, served as ambassador to Britain during the Clinton administration.
Eikenberry has served since 2007 as deputy chairman of NATO’s military committee in Brussels. Before that he was the top American commander in Afghanistan for two years — his second tour of duty there. He previously was chief of military cooperation, with responsibility for developing Afghan security forces.
Stephen Biddle, a defense specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations and a recent visitor to Afghanistan, said in a telephone interview that there would appear to be reason for concern about possible friction between Eikenberry and the current top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan.
“Given that most people think the situation in Afghanistan has been getting worse, and that policies are going to have to change, you just wonder what the chemistry will be between these two guys,” Biddle said.
Ellie