"We still have a huge amount of challenges," Maj. Gen. Richard Rossmanith, ISAF`s deputy chief of staff for stability, said during a Pentagon news briefing from the Afghan capital of Kabul. "We need to continue our common effort (there)."
Those challenges include border security with Pakistan and insurgent safe havens there, and the insurgency within Afghanistan, the general said.
"We must be realistic," he said, "these borders, with respect to the terrain, may never be fully controllable."
Rossmanith called for continued efforts to maintain the momentum in the country, saying "there is a realistic chance to get the job done in the right way, and we have a chance to actually achieve our objectives in this mission."
However, it`s unclear whether U.S. and NATO forces can maintain pressure on the insurgents as the U.S. will begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan this month and some of its NATO allies might follow as well.
According to President Barack Obama`s plan, 10,000 troops will be pulled out from the country by year end, and a total of 33,000 troops will be out by next summer, fully recovering the surge troops the president announced late 2009.
(U.C003)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
