Usackas (SpeRep Afghanistan) auditioned in Parliament

(B2) The fruit of a gentleman's agreement between Cathy Ashton, the EU's chief diplomat, and parliamentarians, the new EU Special Representative for Afghanistan, the Lithuanian Usackas (1), was interviewed in late afternoon by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament. But behind closed doors..." It was a condition put by the Ashton team” explained to me a parliamentarian. Damage to transparency. It could have been interesting to attend this hearing. Fortunately, the walls of Parliament are crumbly...

States must send police. Usackas gave a fairly standard presentation. " EU should focus on rule of law, governance and developmentt. he explained. He confirmed that the EU police mission has still not reached the strength of 400 people that was set... almost a year ago. " We're up to about 300 now he acknowledged (2), adding that he had “asked the Council to send more police officers for EUPOL ».

Victory. Usackas said " hope that the counter-insurgency would slow down”. But "winning Marjah or Kandahar should not solve the question of ensuring the sustainability of Afghanistan in the long term." “There is a need for alternative livelihoodss but the goal is not to eradicate livelihoods ". " The reconciliation process (ongoing) must ensure the will of the tablians to respect the Afghan Constitution” he said.

CIA: not aware. Of course, Usackas was questioned (repeatedly) about CIA flights and detention centers in his country when he was foreign minister (a fact that caused dissension and caused, in part, his resignation from his position). job). I don't know - he answered in essence - and no one in the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry was...

(1) Lithuanian's appointment Usackas in Afghanistan confirmed. 
(2) A little less if I believe the latest elements from Kabul. A new call for recruitment was launched in February.