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Saturday, November 14, 2009

US Afghan Envoy urges Caution

Courtesy of Chris Stirewalt….

New York Times -- U.S. Envoy Urges Caution on Forces for Afghanistan

Because of the size and scope of the leak of Afghanistan envoy Carl Eikenberry’s cables expressing doubts about the merits of Gen. Stanley McChrystal’s plan for a troop surge, one suspects that it is a message the administration was eager to get out.

Writers Elisabeth Bumiller and Mark Lander frame the suggestion for a non-surge surge of 10,000 troops to train Afghans but not kill baddies is part of a conflict between Eikenberry, the former U.S. commander in Afghanistan, and McChrystal.

“Their relationship, a senior military official said last year, was occasionally tense as General McChrystal pushed for approval for commando missions, and General Eikenberry was resistant because of concerns that the missions were too risky and could lead to civilian casualties.

It was unclear whether General Eikenberry, who participated in the Afghanistan policy meeting on Wednesday by video link from Kabul, the Afghan capital, had been asked by the White House to put his views in writing. It was also unclear how persuasive they will be with Mr. Obama.”

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