Karzai Weighs a Draft

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has tepidly announced he is pondering introducing conscription in order to build a domestic army and police force capable of taking over security operations from NATO troops in his war-torn country.

Karzai’s statement struck some as odd, coming just a week after his defense minister said the army had no lack of recruits. —JCL

The BBC:

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told a conference of the world’s top defence officials in Germany that he is considering introducing conscription.

The Afghan president said at the summit in Munich he wants to build an army and police force of 300,000 by 2012.

His comments come as US-led forces are poised to launch a major offensive in Helmand province against the Taliban.

The Nato commander, General Stanley McChrystal, said the operation would “send a strong signal”.

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Wikimedia Commons / The White House

“Afghanistan should be able to provide security for its people ... ,” Karzai says.