[Quqnoos] President Karzai says he is mulling a return to a conscript army as he seeks to expand the Afghan security forces.That works if you're looking for quantity versus quality...
Speaking to 46th annual Munich Security Conference on Sunday, President Hamid Karzai said he wants to build an army and police force of 300,000 by 2012. "Right now we have a volunteer system, which means an army entirely paid for and professionals," Karzai said, but noted: "As in other countries, Afghanistan had a strong tradition of conscript army."
The professionals were mostly in the KhAD. The cannon fodder got chewed up, along with their Soviet cannon fodder counterparts.
| KhAD: according to Wikipedia, the Afghan secret police during the Soviet period, subsequently transferring its loyalties to the Northern Alliance. |
The purpose of a military force is to defeat the enemy, whomever that may be. "Learning something" is a side benefit, the means rather than the end. But what do I know? I don't wear a cape.
Conscription for the Afghan army was compulsory in Afghanistan until 1992.
Did a lot of good, didn't it?
Look at all the guys who learned to shoot off ...
Karzai's remarks come as NATO and its partners strive to build the Afghan army and police up so they can gradually take responsibility for the security of their own country. "By the year 2012, we in Afghanistan we should have at least 300,000 of our army and police force that is trained and equipped, that is able to take leading responsibility in a greater part of the country," he said. "This also means that in five years, Afghanistan should be able to provide responsibility for its people, so we are no longer a burden on the shoulders of the international community," he added.
Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said last week there was no need for conscription as the army had no lack of recruits.
The comment comes as US military heading its NATO and Afghan allies are preparing to launch their biggest offensive since 2001 in the volatile southern Afghanistan. The NATO commander in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, said the major offensive which is about to begin in central Helmand would send a "strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control".
Thousands of coalition and Afghan troops are converging for the operation to capture the town of Marja, a Taliban stronghold and a key centre for narco-trade. Provincial officials said about 35,000 residents of Marja were taking the advice and heading to other parts of Helmand ahead of the operation.