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Afghanistan
Karzai: Tribesmen Will Help Fight Taliban
2006-06-12
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Sunday his government will give weapons to local tribesmen so they can help fight the biggest surge in Taliban violence in years. Speaking to a group of tribal elders from eastern Afghanistan, Karzai said he did not want to form militias that could clash with rival tribes. "We just want to strengthen the districts to safeguard them from terrorist attack," he said.
You could build the Afghan Army, which has had a pretty good record whacking the Taliban lately ...
Although they would not speak for attribution because of the sensitivity of the topic, Western diplomats briefed on the plan said they worried it could fuel factional fighting by giving weapons to forces loyal to warlords with long histories of factional disputes.
Like bringing coals to Newcastle.
Karim Rahimi, Karzai's spokesman, said the government is confident that would not happen because the recruits will be loyal to Kabul. He described the new recruits as "community police." "They are to strengthen the security setup in Afghanistan," he said.

The president did not say how many tribal fighters would be recruited. But he said there would be a dramatic increase in the ranks of security forces in some areas.

Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak told reporters the tribal forces would "take their command from each district police chief." He said local security forces would also be given better weapons and bulletproof vests.
Posted by:Steve White

#3  I can see where this would be effective, if the tribal villagers can be trusted. Build up a militia within each village dedicated to protecting the village against foreign intruders. Train them, pay them a small stipend, and give them a minimum amount of authority under the district police, and hope for the best. If a problem arises, or if the militiamen misbehave, break them. That would have a greater disciplinary impact on the rest than it would in the US, considering the Afghan "honor" issue. Have them swear on the Quran they will only use their weapons in defense of their village and the surrounding area, and hang any that fail to adhere to those rules. It can work, and it can be a strong influence, depending on how it's handled.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2006-06-12 12:37  

#2  "isnt this just the kind of 2 amendment based thinking y'all prefer. "

The Second amendment is fine. I have a problem when a government wants to give arms to the equivalent of the Bloods and the Crips.
Posted by: Fordesque   2006-06-12 11:36  

#1  surprised you guys dont like this plan, isnt this just the kind of 2 amendment based thinking y'all prefer. Taliban wont dare attack an armed village, something like that?

Anyway, I dont think they can afford to expand the ANA any further, as it is its taking a pretty big share of their GDP, IIUC.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2006-06-12 09:13  

00:00