Iran offers to help US rebuild Afghanistan

[Vince Noir]

Guardian

Iran made a significant conciliatory gesture towards the Obama administration today, offering to help US-led efforts to stabilise and rebuild Afghanistan.

At an international conference on Afghanistan at The Hague, in the Netherlands, the Iranian delegate, Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh, responded positively to Barack Obama's new strategy for winning the war against the Taliban.

"Welcoming the proposals for joint cooperation offered by the countries contributing to Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran is fully prepared to participate in the projects aimed at combating drug trafficking and plans in line with developing and reconstructing Afghanistan," Akhundzadeh, one of Iran's deputy foreign ministers, said, according to an early text of his remarks provided by Iranian officials.

Akhundzadeh, whose mere appearance at the conference was seen as progress in US-Iranian relations – repeated Tehran's earlier criticism of the Nato role in Afghanistan saying: "The presence of foreign forces has not improved things in the country and it seems that an increase in the number of foreign forces will prove ineffective, too."

But he added: "The military expenses need to be redirected to the training of the Afghan police and army, and Afghanisation should lead the government-building process" – an apparent nod towards the Obama administration's decision to send 4,000 more US military trainers.

Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, said Washington wanted Iranian help with border security and counter-narcotics operations. The emerging new US policy on Iran emphasises the search for common ground between the two countries, rather than allowing the relationship to be entirely paralysed by the standoff over Iran's nuclear programme.

"How can you talk about Afghanistan and exclude one of the countries that's a bordering, neighbouring state?" Richard Holbrooke, the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, told reporters. "The presence of Iran here is obvious."

Iran has long sought recognition of, and help for, its struggle with drug traffickers along its long border with Afghanistan and Pakistan, which kills scores of troops and border police.

The Hague conference, which brought together Nato troop-contributing countries and Afghanistan's neighbours, also focused on the struggle to combat corruption in the Kabul government. Clinton described corruption as a "cancer" as menacing to Afghanistan's long-term future as the Taliban.

Afghanistan's president, Hamid Karzai, said progress had already been made in curbing graft in his government, and pledged to take part in a new "compact" with the international community. This arrangement, laid out in the new US strategy, sets benchmarks for transparency and accountability as conditions for further aid.

Iran offers to help US rebuild Afghanistan

Iran helping the US was inconceivable under Bush but if we dig through the obvious self-interest does it appear to be a significant and progressive gesture? This really involves thinking outside the box - threre is so much room for abuse of such a relationship by both sides. Experience has shown that the US uses and abuses its power for its own end, at least in the case of the Bush era. With Ahmadinejad repeatedly calling for the destriction of Israel and with the IDF previously/currently on standy by for strikes on Iran it seems any such persuit will only be undone.

[BoJaN]

Iran offers to help US rebuild Afghanistan

Iran helping the US was inconceivable under Bush but if we dig through the obvious self-interest does it appear to be a significant and progressive gesture? This really involves thinking outside the box - threre is so much room for abuse of such a relationship by both sides. Experience has shown that the US uses and abuses its power for its own end, at least in the case of the Bush era. With Ahmadinejad repeatedly calling for the destriction of Israel and with the IDF previously/currently on standy by for strikes on Iran it seems any such persuit will only be undone.

Possibly. Though if cooperative arrangements were made it would slightly go against the idea that Iran is a "rebel state', which maybe something the U.S and Israel do not want removed as of now, since its a key element in their anti-Iran campaign.

What I do see happening is a possible arrangement where Iran will offer to patrol its boarders tighter, (whether they do or not) but definitely nothing further.

[Treize]

I think they should rebuild themselfs first...

[Каие]

This whole war + 9./11 could have been avoided if we let Iran have at the Taliban back in '99.

[Babur]

This whole war + 9./11 could have been avoided if we let Iran have at the Taliban back in '99.

Too true

but at least Iran are willing to help now.

but dunno if they will be more reliable than Pakistan has been though

[Kiljan Arslan]

This whole war + 9./11 could have been avoided if we let Iran have at the Taliban back in '99.

So true! I say let them rebuild plus they have a history of influence in the area.

[Thema'zandaar]

Iran has long been attempting to mend ties. This gesture is simply the latest. Hopefully this time the USA has a president willing to listen.

[PacSubCom]

Iran has long been attempting to mend ties. This gesture is simply the latest. Hopefully this time the USA has a president willing to listen.

Afaik there were meetings going on between Iran and the US in Germany over the last weeks. This is the consequence. The US has accepted Iran as a regional power.

[Каие]

They will be. They are Shia, hostile to the Taliban, unlike the Pakistanis. Plus Iran has unfinished business with the Taliban.

[Babur]

They will be. They are Shia,

I know that,as if "Ya Ali!" and "Ya Hossein" aren't convincing enough ,sorry man

hostile to the Taliban, unlike the Pakistanis. Plus Iran has unfinished business with the Taliban.

Well the Taliban was nurtured by Pakistan's ISI since they wanted to train militants to fight us evil Indians lol.

But anyway historically western Afghanistan (including places like Herat) were part of Iran or in its sphere of influence,while eastern Afghanistan (places like Kabul for example) was in the sphere of influence of Mughal India and 200 years later, Pakistan.

[Каие]

Well the Taliban was nurtured by Pakistan's ISI since they wanted to train militants to fight us evil Indians lol.

Wow, the ISI is completely retarded if their Idea of fighting the evil indians is sending the militants in the complete wrong direction to a country that is not india.

[Babur]

Wow, the ISI is completely retarded if their Idea of fighting the evil indians is sending the militants in the complete wrong direction to a country that is not india.

Nah man I meant from 1996-2001,I think the Taliban have bitten back now

Yeh and i bet its something like this, become allies with us and we will give you nuclear technology, all our allies are allowed them, its an awesome special club, and youll be welcome of course.

Yuh the whole AQ Khan thing,he also supplied nuclear technology to Iran supposedly.

[Barry Goldwater]

Very good, more help can't possibly go wrong, especially when the helper is an able and willing volunteer with...unfinished business with the organization we're trying to destroy.

[Farnan]

Wow, the ISI is completely retarded if their Idea of fighting the evil indians is sending the militants in the complete wrong direction to a country that is not india.

Indians and Afghans have traditionally been close, they were afraid that Afghanistan will ally with India forcing them to fight a two front war.

[Heinz Guderian]

Indians and Afghans have traditionally been close, they were afraid that Afghanistan will ally with India forcing them to fight a two front war.

this is the first time i heard this. since when? The afghans used to drive into India and steal their womenz and booty. The name Hindu Kush comes from the time when the Afghans used to march their Indian captives back east across the mountains. The captives not used to such an environment would often die. Therefore: Hindu Kush= Hindu Graveyard.

HOW YOU LIKE MY HISTORY OF THE SUBCONTINENT NOW CHAGATAI? HUH? I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME. LETS SEE YOU PWN ME ON MY INDIAN HISTORY NOW TOUGH GUY. BRING IT.

[Каие]

Indians and Afghans have traditionally been close, they were afraid that Afghanistan will ally with India forcing them to fight a two front war.

It makes sense I guess but how likely was Massoud, say he won the war, going to rattle sabres with Pakistan on behalf of the massive India in need of no help whatsoever in dealing with the puny in comparison Pakistan?

[Martin N]

Yeh and i bet its something like this, become allies with us and we will give you nuclear technology, all our allies are allowed them, its an awesome special club, and youll be welcome of course.

[ginge51]

These wars should be stopped, end of.
Whatever happened to bringing the troops home?
People seem to of forgotten that the wars are 1 of the main factors in this depression were having right now.
The day the troops come home, honestly i think, is when everything statrs picking up again, they just totally drain spending.

[Каие]

I'm not sure that is accurate ginge51

[Martin N]

Not one of the main factors, but still a huge drain, average cost of 75,000$ per man is a huge toll, but whoever you speak to a neccessary one for our "Freedom"