US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman arrives in Afghanistan

KABUL: (MEP) – The United States Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Martin E. Dempsey arrived in Afghanistan on Wednesday as the contingency plans for a total military pullout are in discussion.

Dempsey in a press statement said, “US military begin the planning process. But the order to begin the planning process does not mean an end to an American and NATO presence in Afghanistan next year.” President Barack Obama expressed his keen interest in the signing of a security pact with Afghan President Hamid Karzai allowing US to keep its troops in Afghanistan post 2014 as NATO/ISAF forces leave.

The failure of signing the security deal between Afghanistan and US could lead to a zero option that means a complete pull out of US troops from Afghanistan. According to the American Forces Press Service, Dempsey said: “The idea here is at the point where we have to begin planning for other options. We’ve seen it coming, and I’m sure I’ll find our junior leaders are ahead of me on this.” The General said, “The United States does not want to leave Afghanistan, principally because al-Qaida — the ideological movement that manifests itself in violence and anti-American, anti-Western activities — is still alive.” Dempsey expressed his interest for his presence in Afghanistan and said that they would work with Afghan forces to ensure the April 5 election happened safely.