Don't send new forces to Afghanistan, learn from our experience: Gorbachev

[Naveed Yaseen]

WASHINGTON: Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev on Sunday advised the US against sending additional troops to Afghanistan, instead urging renewed diplomacy and ultimately a complete withdrawal of US forces. “I think that what’s needed is not additional forces,” Gorbachev told CNN, adding that “withdrawal from Afghanistan should be the goal.” The Soviet leader said that his government also mulled increasing troops during its occupation of Afghanistan, but ultimately decided against it. “This is something we discussed too, years ago. But we decided not to do it. I think that our experience deserves attention,” Gorbachev said. “Instead we decided to emphasize the domestic developments in Afghanistan, national reconciliation,” Gorbachev said. “We addressed also this issue through an international conference, and we were in consultation with America, with the Iranians, with Pakistan and with India,” he said. afp

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...2009_pg7_2