'Russia Says "Surge" Won't Fix Afghan Security', Reuters, 16 March 2009

EXCERPT: "A surge of foreign troops into Afghanistan would not solve its security problems and countries with troops there need to focus more on development and the economy, Russia's foreign minister said on Monday. Sergei Lavrov, speaking during a rare visit to Kabul, added that foreign troops under NATO and the U.S. military command needed to listen to the Afghan government and 'act with its agreement.' The actions of foreign troops have been a source of friction between Afghanistan's government and its Western backers, with civilian casualties outraging ordinary Afghans. President Hamid Karzai has repeatedly asked foreign troops to take more care when carrying out raids and air strikes. Lavrov, speaking through a translator at a joint news conference with Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, emphasized Moscow's long-term commitment to Afghanistan and the need to consolidate fresh ties between Moscow and Kabul."

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See also:
'Russia pledges commitment to Afghanistan', VOA News, 16 March 2009
'Rethink the Afghanistan surge', The Christian Science Monitor, 16 March 2009
'Afghan war "will shape century"', BBC News, 15 March 2009
'', The New York Times, 14 March 2009

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