WASHINGTON - The U.S. is looking into a new option for getting rid of $7 billion worth of armored vehicles and military equipments in Afghanistan.
U.S. officials have reported of giving part of these equipment to Pakistan, resulting months of ongoing discussions between Islamabad and Washington. According to the U.S. Army, 20 percent of its overall military equipments are in Afghanistan, totaling to $7 billion.
A number of analysts have said that the Afghan army should have been the priority. These analysts warn that Washington giving the equipment to Pakistan will show the lack of U.S. commitment toward Afghanistan.
"Both from political and military point of view, it would be very appropriate to give all ammunitions, equipment and vehicles that Afghanistan needs to Afghanistan first, so that ability of our troops increases" General Noorul Haq Uloomi, Military Analyst.
"Instead looking Afghanistan with a kind view, Pakistan is preferred. Instead of returning these equipment to U.S. or giving them to Pakistan, it must be given to Afghan security forces, this shows that U.S. is not honest with us, but is with Pakistan" Nawab Mangal, House of Representative Member.
"I think equipments that are given to Pakistan, will not be the same modern equipments that U.S. forces use. Most probably, it will ordinary equipment, on one hand they will get Pakistan's satisfaction and on the other hand their relations will improve and will follow open routes for transfer of troops logistics needs" Head of Internal Security Commission at the House of Representative Mirdad Nejrabi said.
Although talks in this regard have not been finalized, Pakistani military has shown interest in mine detection equipment and armored vehicles, claiming to use them against the Taliban.
"These equipments must be handed over to Afghan forces. As you are aware, Afghan forces play an important role in fighting terrorism, we need modern technology and equipment that can help our forces on the scene. This is a good time for help to our troops and we will work on learning its technology in the future" Sediq Sediqi, Ministry of Interior Affairs Spokesman.
The Afghan Ministry of Defense (MoD) had also shown interest to receive the equipment. However, the U.S. army believes that Afghan security forces are unable to use these modern equipment and that in order to prevent access of terrorists to these equipments, the only options were to either take them away from Afghanistan or to destroy them. (Tolonews)