Washington, September 04: Amid growing demand for more American troops in Afghanistan from the commanders on the ground, the Obama administration seems to be literally divided on what should be the size of the US forces in the war-torn country.
After assuming office in January, US President Barack Obama has sent nearly 20,000 additional troops to Afghanistan as he shifted the focus of the Administration from Iraq to this country.
As the situation there is getting worse during the past few months, there has been increasing voices from the commanders seeking more troops for the country.
In a report, ‘The New York Times’ said today even before the commanders can send a formal request for more troops to combat insurgency in Afghanistan, senior Obama advisers are divided on the issue as to what should be the proper size of the US mission in Afghanistan.
At a Pentagon news conference, Defence Secretary Robert Gates reiterated his concern over increasing foreign foot print in Afghanistan, indicating that he is resistant to the idea of sending more troops. Same is the case with the Vice President Joe Biden, the report said.
Biden has expressed deep reservations about an expanded presence in Afghanistan on the grounds that it may distract from what he considers the more urgent goal of stabilising Pakistan, officials said, according to the daily.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Special US Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, are in favour of sending more troops to fight out the terrorists. Holbrooke sees more troops as vital to protecting Afghan civilians and undermining the Taliban and al Qaeda.
“There is a unanimity of opinion about what our objective is, and the objective is to disable and destroy al Qaeda and remove that threat to our national security,” David Axelrod, Obama’s senior adviser told ‘The New York Times’.
“Obviously, there are a variety of opinions about how best to achieve that objective, and it’s valuable and important to hear those views,” he said.
The debate follows the delivery of a new strategic assessment by Gen Stanley A McChrystal, who took over all US and NATO forces in Afghanistan in June. Although it includes no specific force proposals, officials expect him to send a separate request in the coming weeks, the daily said.
“Military strategists, including one who has advised General McChrystal, said he might offer three options. The smallest proposed reinforcement, from 10,000 to 15,000 troops, would be described as the high-risk option”.
“A medium-risk option would involve sending about 25,000 more troops, and a low-risk option would call for sending about 45,000 troops,” ‘The New York Times’ said.
–Agencies