Medvedev wants US forces to leave Afghanistan with 'dignity'

[graveyardofempires]

PTI
21-01-2011
By


Moscow - Describing a political settlement in Afghanistan as important for Russia, President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday said he wanted the US-led international stabilisation forces to successfully accomplish their mission and leave the restive nation with "dignity and respect".

"We should wait until 2014 when Afghanistan is fully independent before drawing conclusions. A peaceful settlement in Afghanistan is important for the whole region including Russia," Medvedev said at the joint news conference here after talks with the Afghan president Hamid Karzai.


"All we want is them to leave Afghanistan with dignity and respect," the Russian leader underlined.

He said the final aim of the international military presence was to ensure security and independence of Afghanistan through its own resources and a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan is important for the whole region including Russia.

Speaking about the assessment of the activities of international forces in Afghanistan, Medvedev acknowledged that some mistakes had been made, thoroughly investigated, but noted that these were mistakes in tactics rather than strategy.


"As for strategic mistakes - the time for analysis has not come yet," Medvedev said.

But of course the current phase of relations, which began in 2001 in spite of the presence of NATO forces in Afghanistan, is "especially important".

And since then the relationship has seen considerable improvement, mainly due to Russia's continuing support.

Medvedev said helping international mission in Afghanistan was important for Russia.

However, he pointed out that actual help was as important as observations and reminded the journalists that Moscow has approved a number of documents allowing cargo move through Russian territory to aid the international task force in Afghanistan.

"Finally Afghanistan should be able to provide its security and independence through its own resources," the Russian president said.

[Catya Sher]

I don't believe
A WORD
of this ambiguous, wishywashy statement
catering to NATO's demands.

[Catya Sher]

The only part that suggests that Medvedev is saying "Let's exit Afghanistan, now, you Yankees" is when he says don't wait til 2014.

The way I read it is different than yours, Unknown.

I think he is catering to America with the part about respect and dignity.
Why would RUSSIA care about America leaving with
a "saved face" and reputation intact ?

The KGB which rules behind the scenes is probably laughing like crazy.
They want America to LOSE
not leave "with dignity".

For sure they are involved somehow in sabotaging American operations.
I don't mean helping the Taliban.
But I'm sure they have their hand in the pie in Afghanistan.
It's not working like doves together with the US...
you have to look at the big picture.

I see Russia as a dangerous entity for Afghanistan which should
be kept at arms length.

Only cordial, basic civil relations are needed.
Nothing more.
Russia has nothing to give Afghanistan.

It has a lot of trouble - and its own urge for vendetta -
to stir up trouble there after the Americans Inshallah leave.

[Catya Sher]

Glad we have the same idea.

These are VERY VERY VERY important topics.

Russia can't be ignored, but neither should it be feted and welcomed with open arms in the New Afghanistan...!

The Iranians learned this the hard way too.
They depended on Russia as a counterweight to America to back them up with their civilian nuclear program.
BUT: this is why I don't trust Russia under Putin-Medvedev in South Asia is that sure enough, liberals and Westernizers among the Russian leadership
CAVED IN to Obama-Pressure to withdraw help and support for Iran, both in the UN and delivering the missiles to defend the nuclear sites from a theoretical Israeli attack.

I was following this closely because it's very revealing.

The Russian ambassador to Teheran made some polite but empty statements like "Russia will always support the Iranian people, they are our great neighbors, bla bla".

But he didn't say that Russia would send the needed missiles to deter an Israeli potential threat, hence to make Iran feel psychologically safe.

Hey, don't forget even though Amir Abdur Rahman Khan is not popular due to the Durand Line, he uttered some terribly wise words of advice to his son and successor on his death bed

I think we can all profit by recalling them.

He said "My son, NEVER TRUST THE RUSSIANS"

[afghan]

the cold war is not over yet, russia has not forgotten the US involvment in afghanistan, its the greatest opportunity for russia to involve positively in the reconstruction of afghanistan, as the russian is already tend to deal with muslim world than the western nations.

[randolph85]

the cold war is not over yet, russia has not forgotten the US involvment in afghanistan, its the greatest opportunity for russia to involve positively in the reconstruction of afghanistan, as the russian is already tend to deal with muslim world than the western nations.

thats what afghanistan said during the 70s, that turned out great didnt it?

[afghan]

thats what afghanistan said during the 70s, that turned out great didnt it?

today the situation is completely diffirent, but then too in 70s afghanistan was a play ground. how diffirent do you see the current situation in afghanistan after the US invasion of afghanistan or pakies invasion of afghanistan(taliban)? karzai is running around and begging, with this type of president we can never be independent. we need godd relationships with all the countries. nothing more left to be ruined in afghanistan.