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Reactions to Obama’s Afghanistan plan

* NATO spokesman says announcement of new resources in Afghanistan ‘very welcome’

WASHINGTON: Reactions to US President Barack Obama’s new strategy in Afghanistan were generally positive, as the international community rallied behind the steps being taken.

Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, said the government of Pakistan thought it was an ‘extraordinarily’ positive sign that the Obama administration was thoroughly re-examining its policy toward the region, re-evaluating and reinvigorating the common efforts to contain terrorism and extremism. “We have been especially pleased by the new level of consultation and partnership ... It bodes well not only for a stronger regional approach to a clearly regional problem, but to a more mature bilateral relationship between the United States and Pakistan,” he added. He said detailed comments on Washington’s review of the policy would be made after consultations with Islamabad on specific contents, APP reported.

Meanwhile, according to Reuters, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry said the new strategy was realistic and bold in a critical region whose policy needs ‘rescuing’. “Many of us have long advocated more troops for training Afghan security forces and a clear mission for our forces that are risking their lives, and this new policy is a down payment in that direction,” he added.

Welcome: “The announcement of substantial new resources for this international effort is very welcome. This will be an important contribution to the discussion at the NATO summit on NATO’s overall approach to help build security in Afghanistan,” NATO spokesman James Appathurai said. agencies

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