'Enlisting Tribes Against Militants In Afghanistan Carries Risks', Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, 23 November 2008
EXCERPT: "General David McKiernan, the top commander of NATO and U.S. forces in Afghanistan, has recommended giving more power to local councils to stem violence in the country. McKiernan added that such an approach would have multiple benefits. It would allow the Afghan government in Kabul to empower these committees so they can provide local security and oversight. At the same time, it would also allow the central government to benefit from the insight community leaders. But local leaders are taking a cautious approach, noting the harsh realities on the ground and warning of the risks involved. One such leader is Nader Khan Katwazi, a parliamentarian representing Afghanistan's eastern Paktika Province. Katwazi acknowledges that Pashtun tribes in southeastern Afghanistan have a tradition of Arbakis or Chalweshtis, groups of tribal volunteers that can be mobilized to defend local communities against threats. However, Katwazi says that in general such traditions and tribal structures in Afghanistan have been significantly weakened by war over the past 30 years. Afghans, he notes, have fresh memories of their suffering at the hands of private militias and warlords armed by their respective international backers in the 1980s and 1990s."
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See also:
'Terrorists might stay inside Afghanistan this winter', Online International News Network, 24 November 2008
'Commanders praise increased coperation with Pakistani and Afghan forces', Washington Post, 24 November 2008
Related posts:
'Kabul wants local militias to bolster security', 31 October 2008
'New joint effort aims to empower Afghan tribes', 31 March 2008
'UK plan to arm tribal militias could fuel violence: ISAF commander', 3 January 2008
'Beyond Warlordism: The local security architecture in Afghanistan', 19 October 2007
