AFP
10/20/2006
By
[Printer Friendly Version]

WASHINGTON - France is reviewing whether to keep French special forces in Afghanistan after a NATO-led force assumes responsibility for the entire country later this year, France's defense minister said.

Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie said she discussed the impact of the changes in the command structures in Afghanistan with US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

"We must look at the consequences of this new organization for the special forces presence as a whole, notably the French special forces," she told reporters after emerging with Rumsfeld from the meeting on Thursday.

"I remind you that they have been there in significant numbers since 2001, and have paid heavily with a certain number of deaths," she said.

Six French special forces troops have been killed in the past year, the latest two in August in a Taliban attack in southeastern Afghanistan.

The French special forces contingent has fought alongside US special operations forces on the hunt for Al-Qaeda leaders in the eastern border areas.

Other French troops serve in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, which is supposed to take over security for the entire country from US-led coalition forces by the end of the year.

Some US troops, mainly special operations troops assigned to counter-terrorism missions, will remain outside the NATO force under a US command.

Alliot-Marie said it was logical to review the impact of the changes on French forces with the United States and other coalition partners.

Life in Talibanistan - Part One: Throw these infidels in jail Asia Times (09/03/2010)

The disconnect between pipelines and transparency Globe and Mail, Canada (09/03/2010)

Of women, cosmetics & electioneering Pajhwok (09/03/2010)

Karzai orders huge shakeup in Ministry of Interior Pajhwok (09/03/2010)

Afghan banker warns of 'revolution' United Press International (09/03/2010)

Karzai tells Afghans not to panic in rush for withdrawals The Washington Post (09/03/2010)

What Led Kabul To Sack Ambassador To U.S.? RFE/RL (09/02/2010)

Karzai's brother calls for U.S. to shore up Kabul Bank as withdrawals accelerate The Washington Post (09/02/2010)

Interviews With Said Jawad, Afghan Ambassador To U.S CNN, The Situation Room (09/02/2010)

Afghans Pull Money From Weakened Bank The New York Times (09/02/2010)

Afghan finance minister: "Every penny of the deposits would be guaranteed by the government" The Associated Press (09/02/2010)

Lessons in Crony Capitalism The Huffington Post (09/02/2010)

Too Corrupt to Fail? The New Yorker (09/02/2010)

A.Q. Khan Newsweek (09/02/2010)

'It's premature to begin pulling troops' from Afghanistan, says Greg Mortenson Pioneer Press (09/02/2010)

Lonq queues at Afghan bank amid corruption claims AFP (09/02/2010)

14 Candidates Removed from Parliamentary Elections List Tolo News (09/02/2010)

Few signs of run on Afghanistan's Kabul Bank The Associated Press (09/02/2010)

Nervous Afghans pull money from Kabul Bank, raising fears The Washington Post (09/02/2010)

Afghan ambassador to US to leave post, slams smears AFP (09/01/2010)

Afghanistan takes over biggest private bank to avert collapse AFP (09/01/2010)

Karzai in panic as graft probe closes in Global Post (09/01/2010)

Where Did The Money Go? Yahoo News (09/01/2010)

Afghanistan's biggest bank in near disastrous collapse World News (09/01/2010)

After Obama's Iraq Speech, Afghans Worry About U.S. Commitment TIME (09/01/2010)

Afghan Police's Lack of Guns and Gas Shows U.S. Exit Plan Flaw Bloomberg (09/01/2010)

"Afghan concern about Pak is legitimate" - Gen. Petraeus The Associated Press (09/01/2010)

Birthplace of the Taliban: the next battleground The Associated Press (09/01/2010)

Afghan Ambassador Said T. Jawad leaving his post in Washington The Washington Post (09/01/2010)

Afghanistan bomb attacks kill twenty-one US soldiers in 48 hours The Telegraph (09/01/2010)