Afghanistan UN Representative Staffan De Mistura

Raza Naqvi, Urdu VOA News, Washington
The UN Special Representative to Afghanistan Staffan De Mistura, said this week during a question and answer session at the Middle East Institute that US military progress in Afghanistan is good. The remarks come after similar sentiments were expressed by the head of US armed forces in Afghanistan, General David Petreaus. Mr. De Mistura said that although violence had increased in different parts of Afghanistan, this was a reaction to increased US military pressure. But he said final judgment on the US strategy should be reserved until July, when the strategy's implementation will be complete. He also said that US negotiations with the Taliban will eventually occur, but the onus should be on the Afghans themselves. He also stressed the need for a regional settlement. Also mentioned in the story are Secretary Clinton's remarks about peace talks with the Taliban, and declining support for the Afghan War in the US.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• military news
• Urdu VOA
• Raza Naqvi
• afghanistan
• UN Representative
• Staffan De Mistura
• south asian