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The Great Game is over: Mark Sedwell
Saturday, 09 April 2011 19:09 Written by Wali Arian
The great game is over in Afghanistan and religious or regional rivalries can no longer be fought out, Nato's Senior Civilian Representative in Kabul said on Saturday.
Nato's Senior Civilian Representative, Mark Sedwill spoke at his farewell ceremony in Kabul.
The US Commander of Coalition Forces Gen. David Petraeus praised Mark Sedwill for his successful mission in Afghanistan, and emphasised on Nato's enduring assistance to Afghanistan.
"Nato leaders and those of many of our nations have contributed to forging enduring partnership with Afghanistan beyond 2014 as well," Gen. Petraeus said.
Mark Sedwill said real progress and partnership must be built to bring the campaign in Afghanistan to a success conclusion.
"The road to peace like all roads here will be long and hard. There will be obstacles along the way we will have to find hard and we will face hard choices, Mr Sedwill said.
He said there will be missteps and setbacks, forces of reaction not just the Taliban within Afghanistan and throughout the region will oppose us, but they have to know the great game is over.
"The news for them is that the great game is over. Afghanistan is no longer the territory in which the religious or regional rivalries can be fought out. This is a sovereign country, Mr Sedwill added.
Nato appointed Britain's former ambassador to Iran, Simon Gass, as the replacement of Mark Sedwill in February this year to take over in mid April.
Mr Gass has said he would take up the new role in Afghanistan in "a period of transition which will be critical for the country's stability and security".
Saturday, 09 April 2011 19:09 Written by Wali Arian
The great game is over in Afghanistan and religious or regional rivalries can no longer be fought out, Nato's Senior Civilian Representative in Kabul said on Saturday.
Nato's Senior Civilian Representative, Mark Sedwill spoke at his farewell ceremony in Kabul.
The US Commander of Coalition Forces Gen. David Petraeus praised Mark Sedwill for his successful mission in Afghanistan, and emphasised on Nato's enduring assistance to Afghanistan.
"Nato leaders and those of many of our nations have contributed to forging enduring partnership with Afghanistan beyond 2014 as well," Gen. Petraeus said.
Mark Sedwill said real progress and partnership must be built to bring the campaign in Afghanistan to a success conclusion.
"The road to peace like all roads here will be long and hard. There will be obstacles along the way we will have to find hard and we will face hard choices, Mr Sedwill said.
He said there will be missteps and setbacks, forces of reaction not just the Taliban within Afghanistan and throughout the region will oppose us, but they have to know the great game is over.
"The news for them is that the great game is over. Afghanistan is no longer the territory in which the religious or regional rivalries can be fought out. This is a sovereign country, Mr Sedwill added.
Nato appointed Britain's former ambassador to Iran, Simon Gass, as the replacement of Mark Sedwill in February this year to take over in mid April.
Mr Gass has said he would take up the new role in Afghanistan in "a period of transition which will be critical for the country's stability and security".
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