Asia-Pacific

US may start Afghan transition before July 2011

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-12-11 13:15

WASHINGTON: The gradual US handover of security to Afghan forces may begin before the July 2011 start date set by President Barack Obama, if conditions allow, the top US military officer said on Thursday.

US may start Afghan transition before July 2011

An Afghan boy covers his face from the sun during a patrol by US Army soldiers from Task Force Yukon 1-40 CAV combat team at Shadal village in Khowst province, Afghanistan, December 7, 2009. [Agencies]

"I believe we will transition as soon as they are in a position to take the lead," Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters at the Pentagon. "And I think by and large, it will be district-by-district"

Critics have called Obama's timeline for the Afghan mission arbitrary, taking aim at his plans to start withdrawing US forces and transferring the lead on security to Afghan forces in July 2011, just as he deploys 30,000 more US troops there.

Mullen said any decision on bringing forward the transition would fall upon General Stanley McChrystal, the top US commander in Afghanistan.

"We are by no means with this approach waiting until July 2011. But that is a very strict date the president has set and one with which we will very strictly comply," Mullen said.

Asked whether the transition could start happening in just months, Mullen said: "Theoretically, we could. But that's up to the boss out there (McChrystal)."