‘US drawdown not to affect Afghanistan'
15 February, 2013
KABUL: The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) spokesman General Gunter Katz has said the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan would not adversely affect the security situation of the country. Addressing a press conference in Kabul on Thursday, the ISAF spokesman General Gunter Katz said the Afghan security forces were strong enough to defend their country. "We have made efforts over the past years to train the Afghan security forces, enabling them to receive security responsibilities of their country. With the withdrawal of American troops, we are not concerned about the security situation of the country. The Afghan people should trust that their forces can defend their country and the international community would also stand by them for longer time," he added. ISAF spokesman General Gunter Katz said some al-Qaeda members were still active in Afghanistan. "In our view, some al-Qaeda members are active in this country. Al-Qaeda has been weakened but war against them is still underway. We are sure Afghanistan would not turn into a haven of terrorists again," he maintained. General Gunter Katz said they would leave Afghanistan by the end of 2014. The US President Barack Obama recently announced withdrawal of 34000 American troops from Afghanistan within a year. The Taliban said the foreign forces should leave Afghanistan as soon as possible. End.
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