Karzai pledges Consult with US before Troops Arrive

KABUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai pledged Sunday that a NATO drive into Taliban territory in Kandahar province would only begin after thorough consultations with local tribal leaders, in a bid to beef up support in the volatile south. Karzai's remarks to about 2,000 officials and tribal leaders in the Taliban's spiritual heartland appeared to be part of a campaign to shore up his nationalist credentials following a speech last week in which he lashed out at what he called foreign interference in last year's presidential election. "There will be no military operation without your cooperation and consultation," Karzai told the gathering in the city of Kandahar, while the commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, looked on. Most of the 30,000 new troops promised by President Barack Obama will be headed to Kandahar city and the surrounding province. Dates for the southward push haven't been announced and there is no indication that Karzai would have final say over when it begins. However, both Afghan and U.S. commanders have stressed the need for strong civilian support and Maj. Gen. William Mayville, deputy chief of staff for international forces, said on the plane ride back to Kabul that ultimate success in Kandahar would hinge on winning local sympathies. "You've got to have the community really wanting in, otherwise things are stalled," Mayville said. McChrystal did not address the Kandahar gathering, but has said he foresees a series of targeted actions to steadily drive out the Taliban, rather than the D-Day-style assault launched in February against insurgents in Marjah in neighboring Helmand province. Mark Sedwill, NATO's current senior civilian representative, also attended the meeting as a part of his mandate to lead efforts to "find a political solution and promote stabilization" in Kandahar, spokesman Christopher Chambers said. Karzai has deep roots in Kandahar, where his half brother is leader of the provincial assembly, but Taliban activity has also severely limited his government's influence there. In his remarks, Karzai lamented the dearth of Kandahar natives in the army and police. He urged local residents to send representatives to a national peace conference to be held in Kabul in early May to seek reconciliation among all factions. "Afghanistan will stand on its own feet when people have trust in their president and cooperate with their government," Karzai said. He repeated a call for any Taliban not linked to al-Qaida to join the reconciliation process.