Statement Regarding Criticism of Coalition Troops in Afghanistan

Whilst attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Hamid Karzai presented a speech in which he commented on the negative impact coalition forces have had in the violent province of Helmand, Southern Afghanistan, and of mistakes made by these forces that have allowed the Taliban to return to the area. The MUN delegate for Afghanistan would like to make it clear to his fellow delegates that President Karzai's opinion is in reference to the false promises made to him by the leaders of the UK and of the US that they would bring stability to the region after the removal of the previous governor of Helmand . There is no question of the bravery and resolve that reverberates in the actions of the coalition's forces. Karzai is in no two minds about the negative effect the removal of local law-enforcement personnel has had on the region and it is this that has upset him. When Helmand's previous governor, Sher Mohammed Akhunzada, was in power Helmand was in full control of those abiding by the law. What angers the President is that the UK and the US did not put in place enough stringently adhered-to measures once the governor was ousted so as to halt the Taliban returning. The limited forces taking over power in Helmand did not have sufficient knowledge of the area and of the population to have effective control.