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Afghan DM: Nation in fight for its survival

WASHINGTON — Afghanistan’s defense minister said Thursday “we are fighting for our survival” against the Taliban but the tide is turning in the government’s favor.

Even with troops from the United States and NATO allies, the outcome depends on the Afghan army, Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said.

“Achieving our goals in the coming years will not be quick or easy,” Wardak said at a news conference held by the Center for a New American Security, a private research group.

President Barack Obama announced last week he had decided to send 17,000 more soldiers and Marines to Afghanistan, adding to the 38,000 fighting a strengthening insurgency. Many of the U.S. troops now operate in Taliban strongholds in the dangerous south.

A total of 654 U.S. personnel have died since the U.S.-led offensive that ousted Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in late 2001.

Wardak and other senior officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan are in Washington, participating in a review of U.S. policy in the area. He declined to provide any information about the review.

“We are facing a common threat,” he said.

While he expressed gratitude for U.S. troops and sympathized with the families of the dead and wounded, Wardak said “The only way to secure Afghanistan is the Afghan army.” And, he said, “it will save lives of our friends and allies.”