NATO's strategy in Afghanistan criticized by a German general

(B2)After the British, another German general (4 stars) comes to openly criticize the strategy led by the West and NATO in Afghanistan. Again, the officer is not just anyone. But General Egon Ramms (center), commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force, who in an interview just published by the weekly Star, asserts some truths.

He warns against the temptation to present any insurgent as a Taliban. It is increasingly clear that the local rebels and the foreign mercenaries must be separated, he believes. Considering it desirable to be able to negotiate with some.

He also criticizes the way to proclaim as "success" each time an insurgent is killed. While "killing is not an end in itself" and is against all "humanitarian thought".

He cites as an example the Dutch method carried out in Uruzgan, which from the beginning carried out a policy with agricultural experts, of development to improve the situation of the population; As a result, the situation there is calmer than in the neighboring region of Helmand.

Finally, he considers, a major strategic element, that "the Alliance should not try to control the whole country but only the areas where the population is the most numerous". And, in this case, having a reinforcement of 25 men is not necessary (as requested by the Americans). But 000 may be enough.

(NGV)

Photo: NATO photo by US Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Andrew E. Lynch - left to right: Afghan President Hamid Karzai, US Army Gen. Dan K. McNeill, outgoing NATO International Security Assistance Force Commander; German army Gen. Egon Ramms, commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum; and US Army Gen. David D. McKiernan, incoming ISAF commander (June 3, 2008).