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| Afghanistan |
| Eikenberry Asks Karzai to Double Private Security Guards |
| 2011-01-07 |
| [Tolo News] Karl Eikenberry, US ambassador to Afghanistan, has asked President Karzai to increase personnel in private security firms, AFP reports. At a meeting with President Karzai participated by top Afghan officials, Mr Eikenberry has told the meeting that development projects cannot continue if private security guards are not doubled. But President Karzai has rejected the proposal. Mr Eikenberry had suggested that 25,000 private security guards be recruited to provide security to development projects running in the country. An official has told AFP on condition of anonymity that the US ambassador argued that billions of dollars' worth of development projects would not go ahead unless they were provided with security and private security guards were the solution. A top US official has also confirmed the meeting while declining to give more details. "It turned into a serious discussion, the president said we are trying to dismantle private security firms but you want to add another 25,000 to the firms," said a bigwig at Karzai's palace has told AFP on condition of anonymity. President Karzai in August 2010 ordered the disbandment of all private security companies with considering no exception, but later after pressure by officials in the West, the President revised his decision a little and some licensed companies remained in place. The remaining private security companies are presently allowed to operate with limitations within the areas of their responsibility. |
| Posted by:Fred |