Here's a good example of our enemies hard at work
Germany proposes expanding Afghan force
http://www.expatica.com/germanymain.asp?pad=190,205,&item_id=34600 NEW YORK - Germany has proposed expanding the international security force beyond Kabul to eight other cities in Afghanistan to provide security as well as prepare for general elections next year, German Ambassador Gunter Pleuger said.
Pleuger said the idea has received a favourable reception from the Bush administration, which has given its encouragement to pursue it in further discussion in the UN Security Council.
He said the idea, which he called "an island concept," would be to post 250 to 400 foreign troops in each of eight major Afghan cities, allowing them to interact with each other to bring security to the country.
The idea is in response to persistent demands that the international security force known as ISAF in Kabul, now under NATO command, be expanded to other parts of Afghanistan. The 5,000-strong force is limited to providing security only to Kabul, and Germany is taking part in it.
He said German troops would take over Kunduz, a northern Afghan city, if the 15-nation council approved the idea. Other cities where troops would be posted include Mazar-i-Shariff in the north, and Herat in the south.
Pleuger said the council would have to adopt a new resolution to expand ISAF. Germany would like to see that happen in December when the body will have to renew ISAF's mandate, he added.
Another reason Germany would like the action to happen in December is to fit into Germany's legislative calendar. German legislators must approve sending military troops to the "island concept", and they would have to do it before year's end.
The United States in the past has balked at any expansion of ISAF, saying it would interfere with its military operations to capture Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda fighters in the wake of 11 September terrorist attacks.
Many good points. Thank you.