Washington: The US defence department is
rushing additional intelligence and reconnaissance
capabilities including the most advanced drones in Afghanistan
in view of the deteriorating security situation in the region.
"Even as President Obama weighs the best way ahead in
Afghanistan, (Defence) Secretary (Robert) Gates is working to
ensure that this department continues to do everything
possible to provide our men and women in uniform with the very
best protection and capabilities to defeat the growing IED
threat," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters at
his daily press briefing.
"To name a few, additional intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance capabilities, including the most advanced
drones and new platforms, such as the MC-12, are either in
theatre or on their way," he said, adding that last month
Gates had ordered nearly 3,000 enablers including additional
route clearance and explosive ordnance disposal teams into the
troubled country.
"MRAPs designed specifically for Afghanistan's rugged
terrain, the MATVs, are being delivered by air as far as we
can get them off the factory floor with hundreds due to be
fielded to our war-fighters by year's end," he said.
He said even with these additional resources, there will
be many difficult and dangerous days ahead for US forces and
also for the journalists who cover them as well.
"As bad as things are in Afghanistan right now with
regards to the IED threat, they still pale in comparison to
the losses we were suffering at the worst of our days in
Iraq," Morrell said.
The Pentagon spokesman also said the Defence
Authorization Bill 2010 signed into law by Obama on Wednesday
has some provision under which funds can be provided to the
Afghan Government to peel off the Talibans who want to leave
the terrorist organisation.
Morrell said the Defence Secretary feels a certain
degree of responsibility for the fact that the US
miscalculated after the collapse of the Soviet -- or after the
Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan -- turned its back on the
Afghan and the Pakistani government.
"That was a mistake. So he has been very candid about
sort of his historical responsibility here," he said in
response to a question.
Bureau Report