US POLICY CHANGES REQUIRED FOR AFGHANISTAN

• The US needs to clarify its position on maintaining permanent bases in Afghanistan as endorsed by the Loya Jirga in Nov 2011. The negotiations with the Taliban are likely to fail if the US insists on maintaining a pro-longed presence in Afghanistan.

• The political future of the Afghan people should be decided by the Afghans themselves. But as a part of the power transition process the US needs to help strengthen their administrative capabilities and support a reform of political institutions.

• On the Economic front the US must help Afghanistan become self sufficient, root out corruption and end dependency on aid.

• Encourage enhanced communications between Pakistan officials and the Karzai government in order for their improved cooperation in all fields.

• The US should persuade Afghanistan to recognize the Durand Line as the official border.

• The US needs to respect Pakistan as an equal partner if it expects Pakistan to help the US forces withdraw from Afghanistan. Frequent violations of sovereignty through drone strikes do nothing to quell the rampant anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

• Pakistan’s concerns regarding Indian influence in Afghanistan need to be allayed. Pakistan has genuine strategic interests in Afghanistan. The US could play a role and use its influence in the international community to bring about a settlement on the Kashmir Issue, which is one of the major reasons of discontent between the two neighbors.

• The recent US negotiations with the Taliban and opening of a political office in Qatar by the Taliban, has elevated the apprehensions of the Karzai government. The Afghan President who initially supported the negotiations has now raised the issue that any negotiations with the Taliban must be Afghan led. The change in Karzai’s stance becomes a little clearer if the rising agitation of the Northern Alliance groups is considered. The Alliance leaders clearly oppose US negotiations with the Taliban without the involvement of all the groups affected by the conflict. Their demand is a parliamentary form of government in Afghanistan as opposed to a centralized Karzai administration. According to them the negotiations cannot succeed until all the concerned parties are engaged.

• In short the US needs to stop trying to control the conflict resolution process, help the Afghans rebuild and carry out a complete withdrawal by 2014.