Leaked communiqué raises questions about promised withdrawal dates
It will take half a decade for Afghanistan to take responsibility for its own security, according to a leaked draft communiqué from an upcoming major international conference being held in London. The closing statement draft suggests that NATO members have a “long-term commitment” to Afghanistan and the military operation there. Yet both Canada and the U.S. have pledged to begin drawing out forces next year. Far from laying out an exit timeline, the draft says, “over the next few years, the nature of international support should evolve … from direct action to support.”