UPDATE 2-Kabul government hails U.S. Afghan review
* Government welcomes recognition problem is regional
* Afghans cautious, weary of more troops
(Adds quotes)
By Golnar Motevalli
KABUL, March 27 (Reuters) - The conclusions of a U.S. strategy review on Afghanistan, particularly its recognition that the war against the Taliban is a regional problem, were welcomed by the Afghan government on Friday.
Violence in Afghanistan is at its highest level since U.S. and Afghan forces drove out the Taliban in 2001 and NATO-led troops are locked in a stalemate with insurgents in south and east Afghanistan, along the border with Pakistan.
U.S. President Barack Obama said Afghanistan's regional neighbours such as Iran, India, China and Russia would be brought into efforts to defeat the insurgency and said Pakistan's border areas were providing a safe haven for the Taliban and al Qaeda.
"We particularly welcome the recognition of the regional aspect of the problem in Afghanistan and specifically recognition that the al Qaeda threat is mainly emanating from Pakistan," Afghan presidential spokesman Humayun Hamidzada said.
Obama also said the U.S. military in Afghanistan would shift its emphasis to training and expanding the Afghan army so that it could take the lead in securing the country and allow U.S. troops to leave. Continued...
Economy seen growing at 7.2 pct in FY10 - govt
The forecast reinforces the possibility that the government may start to unwind its fiscal stimulus in the budget. Full Article
Greek crisis sets euro zone enlargement back
The Greek debt crisis has dealt a setback to prospects of enlarging the euro zone by highlighting the difficulties of managing the single currency area. Full Article





India
US
UK






