New ISAF commander in Afghanistan links development to security

This is from xinhuanet.
So bomber McNeil is leaving at last. I wonder if the new commander will also pursue a policy of air strikes that has alienated many Afghans. The emphasis upon security first and then development may lead to little or no development in those areas where the security is threatened by the Taliban. This may be deliberate as a means of showing that only co-operation with the occupiers will bring aid or development. The Taliban counter tactic will be to disrupt security in areas where there is development.The article does not mention where McKiernan is from but he is an American as was McNeil. This is an American mission of the type in which the UN is used as legitimising cover and NATO to provide aid and cannon fodder to take some of the burden off the U.S. McKiernan led the ground troops in the invasion of Iraq.


New ISAF commander in Afghanistan links development to security
http://www.chinaview.cn/index.htm 2008-06-04 20:48:09

Print
KABUL, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The newly appointed commander of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) military in Afghanistan General David McKiernan on Wednesday linked the development with security in the post-Taliban nation.
"First and foremost there can be no development in Afghanistan without security, but long-term security cannot exist without development and good governance," the commander told newsmen at his first press conference in ISAF's headquarters here.
McKiernan who took over the command of more than 52,000-strong NATO-led ISAF on Tuesday also called on the alliance's member states to be committed towards Afghanistan.
"I want to know that our partners here in ISAF are committed to this mission," he stressed.
Moreover, McKiernan noted that the future must be the credibility of the Afghan government to include security with its people.
However, the general did not speak about his military strategy towards Taliban-related militants but added that the NATO-led ISAFtroops would continue to support the Afghan government, its security forces and reconstruction process of Afghanistan.
"I am committed personally to help the Afghan government and Afghan people down the road to a secure and prosperous Afghanistan," he said, adding "Afghan people can rely on my personal resolve and on the resolve of ISAF."
Insurgency-related violence is on the rise in Afghanistan which claimed around 80,000 lives mostly of militants last year, a bloodiest one since the Taliban regime collapse in 2001.