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US Army Chief: 'Multiple Contingencies' for Afghanistan Policy

US Army Chief of Staff General McConville, in response to questions from the Washington Post about the US involvement in Afghanistan, said: “I know there’s a lot of interest in what is happening in Afghanistan. And you know, the administration is leading with policy. They’re going to shape it with diplomacy, and then the military will execute those orders. They’re in the process right now. There’s multiple contingencies. And once those decisions are made at the highest level, we’ll be ready to execute.” 

Asked about the practical ability of the US military to rapidly withdraw troops, Gen. McConville said it all comes down to “physics,” in terms of moving troops and equipment, adding that “the commanders in the field have those type of contingency plans” to advise senior leaders in the administration. He said “those plans were available right now.” 

In response to a question about whether US General Scott Miller, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and other leaders were preparing for the possibility that they could come under significant attack over the next weeks and months, Gen. McConville praised General Miller—“I don’t think there’s any finer combat leader in the United States Army”--and said “we’re all going to make sure that our troops are taken care of and have the proper defense mechanisms in place…” 

Asked about the meaning of the war in Afghanistan and the service of US soldiers, Gen. McConville framed it as having successfully prevented further terrorism in the US from Al Qaida: “They’ve basically prevented al-Qaida from attacking our country again. But there’s much, much more work that’s going to be needed to be done in Afghanistan, and we’ve given the Afghan a start in doing that. And it’s going to end with some type of political agreement.”  

General McConville added: “When we take a look at it, our country was attacked on 9/11, and we knew who did it. We knew where they were. And by going to Afghanistan, we had--we were able to hold those who did it accountable. We were also able to prevent al-Qaida from being operational from that sanctuary over the last 20 years. And that’s the contribution (US troops) made to world security by going and volunteering to serve. And I’m very, very proud of this generation, of how they continue to raise their right hands and say send me. So, I’m extremely proud of the young men and women today. 

Speaking in broader terms, the general said “when we take a look at what’s going around the world, many of these conflicts are going to continue until we get the appropriate political solution. And you know, one of the big takeaways is just how important security provided by the country, it is.”  

Turkey summit

The Taliban is not ready to attend the Turkey conference on the expected date, April 16, given their consultations on the details of the event, spokesman Mohammad Naeem said.

The spokesman said the Taliban is reviewing the details of the Turkey conference agenda shared with them by the United States.

Naeem said that the leadership of the group has not made a final decision on the agenda and the formation of its delegation for the Istanbul conference. He said they will soon announce their stance on the issue.

“The Taliban has said that things will not move forward unless the issue of withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan is made clear, therefore, I think that the Turkey conference will not be held unless these issues are made clear,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban commander.

The details of the agenda have also been shared with the Afghan government, according to sources within the Presidential Palace.  

Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, left Kabul on Monday after a four-day visit during which he met with Afghan political leaders, the civil society and youth.

“It had two messages: one is that less time is available and you should hurry in making the list. And another message is that the Taliban’s demands for attending the summit has been shared with the republic,” said Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency.

As a new development, a 15-member committee under the High Council for National Reconciliation finalized its review on unifying a peace proposal after assessing at least 25 proposals, including the one proposed by President Ghani.

The unified proposal that will need approval by the leadership committee of the council puts forward two options, including Ghani’s proposal for a republic system and a "semi-presidential" system.

A copy of the proposal that has been leaked to the media shows that it has 14 pages and suggests a three-year term for a transitional peace government and that its term is extendable.

According to the document, the transitional peace government includes an executive branch, a judicial branch, a national assembly, a national Islamic jurisdiction council, the high council of government and a commission for the amendment of the constitution.

The proposal calls for the executive branch to include a president with his four deputies, including a woman, a prime minister with his four deputies, including a woman, cabinet ministers and independent directorates.

It is expected that the leadership committee of the reconciliation council will make a final decision on unifying the proposed plan reviewed by the 15-member committee. A proposal that is finalized by the leadership committee will be presented at the Turkey conference on Afghanistan.

US Army Chief: 'Multiple Contingencies' for Afghanistan Policy

“They’re going to shape it with diplomacy, and then the military will execute those orders,” the US Army Chief of Staff said.

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US Army Chief of Staff General McConville, in response to questions from the Washington Post about the US involvement in Afghanistan, said: “I know there’s a lot of interest in what is happening in Afghanistan. And you know, the administration is leading with policy. They’re going to shape it with diplomacy, and then the military will execute those orders. They’re in the process right now. There’s multiple contingencies. And once those decisions are made at the highest level, we’ll be ready to execute.” 

Asked about the practical ability of the US military to rapidly withdraw troops, Gen. McConville said it all comes down to “physics,” in terms of moving troops and equipment, adding that “the commanders in the field have those type of contingency plans” to advise senior leaders in the administration. He said “those plans were available right now.” 

In response to a question about whether US General Scott Miller, commander of US and NATO forces in Afghanistan, and other leaders were preparing for the possibility that they could come under significant attack over the next weeks and months, Gen. McConville praised General Miller—“I don’t think there’s any finer combat leader in the United States Army”--and said “we’re all going to make sure that our troops are taken care of and have the proper defense mechanisms in place…” 

Asked about the meaning of the war in Afghanistan and the service of US soldiers, Gen. McConville framed it as having successfully prevented further terrorism in the US from Al Qaida: “They’ve basically prevented al-Qaida from attacking our country again. But there’s much, much more work that’s going to be needed to be done in Afghanistan, and we’ve given the Afghan a start in doing that. And it’s going to end with some type of political agreement.”  

General McConville added: “When we take a look at it, our country was attacked on 9/11, and we knew who did it. We knew where they were. And by going to Afghanistan, we had--we were able to hold those who did it accountable. We were also able to prevent al-Qaida from being operational from that sanctuary over the last 20 years. And that’s the contribution (US troops) made to world security by going and volunteering to serve. And I’m very, very proud of this generation, of how they continue to raise their right hands and say send me. So, I’m extremely proud of the young men and women today. 

Speaking in broader terms, the general said “when we take a look at what’s going around the world, many of these conflicts are going to continue until we get the appropriate political solution. And you know, one of the big takeaways is just how important security provided by the country, it is.”  

Turkey summit

The Taliban is not ready to attend the Turkey conference on the expected date, April 16, given their consultations on the details of the event, spokesman Mohammad Naeem said.

The spokesman said the Taliban is reviewing the details of the Turkey conference agenda shared with them by the United States.

Naeem said that the leadership of the group has not made a final decision on the agenda and the formation of its delegation for the Istanbul conference. He said they will soon announce their stance on the issue.

“The Taliban has said that things will not move forward unless the issue of withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan is made clear, therefore, I think that the Turkey conference will not be held unless these issues are made clear,” said Sayed Akbar Agha, a former Taliban commander.

The details of the agenda have also been shared with the Afghan government, according to sources within the Presidential Palace.  

Meanwhile, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US special representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, left Kabul on Monday after a four-day visit during which he met with Afghan political leaders, the civil society and youth.

“It had two messages: one is that less time is available and you should hurry in making the list. And another message is that the Taliban’s demands for attending the summit has been shared with the republic,” said Rahmatullah Nabil, the former head of Afghanistan’s intelligence agency.

As a new development, a 15-member committee under the High Council for National Reconciliation finalized its review on unifying a peace proposal after assessing at least 25 proposals, including the one proposed by President Ghani.

The unified proposal that will need approval by the leadership committee of the council puts forward two options, including Ghani’s proposal for a republic system and a "semi-presidential" system.

A copy of the proposal that has been leaked to the media shows that it has 14 pages and suggests a three-year term for a transitional peace government and that its term is extendable.

According to the document, the transitional peace government includes an executive branch, a judicial branch, a national assembly, a national Islamic jurisdiction council, the high council of government and a commission for the amendment of the constitution.

The proposal calls for the executive branch to include a president with his four deputies, including a woman, a prime minister with his four deputies, including a woman, cabinet ministers and independent directorates.

It is expected that the leadership committee of the reconciliation council will make a final decision on unifying the proposed plan reviewed by the 15-member committee. A proposal that is finalized by the leadership committee will be presented at the Turkey conference on Afghanistan.

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