Eikenberry links insurgency to militant hideouts in Pakistan

JALALABAD (PAN): US ambassador Karl Eikenberry on Thursday said Afghans would continue to face insurgency until militant hideouts in Pakistani are destroyed.

The envoy, who arrived in Jalalabad, the capital of eastern Nangarhar province, on Thursday met with the governor, Gul Agha Sherzai, and tribal elders.

Eikenberry said his visit to the province was aimed at discussing President Barack Obama’s announcement of troop drawdown with tribal elders.

Tribal elders from Momandara district said they would be happy over the plan if Afghan forces were strengthened enough until 2014, when the security transition process is scheduled to be completed, he said.

He promised his country would continue to support Afghanistan in diverse field of life beyond 2014.

The US wished long-term cooperation with Afghanistan regarding security, peace and stability, he said.

The US envoy also said two out-of-order turbines at Darunta’s power station had been repaired with assistance from the US.

For his part, Sherzai said the US had so far provided Nangarhar with $400 million in assistance over the past nearly six years, with most part of the aid going to rural rehabilitation.

He said he had shared with Eikenberry problems being faced by Nangarhar dwellers. Eikenberry promised he would discuss the problems with US officials, Sherzai said.
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