$16 Billion pledged by U.S. to train, equip Afghan army not enough says Defense Ministry

"We want a bigger cut of the $1 trillion heroin market. The central banks and the CIA need to share more."

Defense Ministry spokesman Zaher Azimy ...







The United States has pledged $16 billion to spend on training and equipping Afghanistan's army and air force, but the country needs more to build a force that can guarantee stability, an Afghan army official said on Wednesday.

Defense Ministry spokesman Zaher Azimy said Kabul hoped a donor conference in London next month would provide cash and supplies needed for ambitious plans to expand the army to 240,000 soldiers, from over 100,000 at present.

"For the expansion process of the army, the United States has pledged $16 billion," Azimi said, adding that the cash would be spread out over the period needed to scale up the army, currently estimated at around four years.

"This is not enough by any means and we are hopeful to receive more assistance in London conference (from other NATO allies)."

He was speaking at a joint news conference with a spokesman for NATO-led forces, who did not dispute the $16 billion figure. {more}

Meanwhile, 8 Americans, reportedly civilians, have been killed at a U.S. military base in south eastern Afghanistan proving that security needs a boost.


Unconfirmed reports are that Israel, upon hearing of the $16 billion for Afghanistan, is demanding more than the measly $5 billion we give them each year ... or else ...


Meanwhile, an unknown number, maybe 20 + million Americans are unemployed.