US official quits over war in Afghanistan
Updated on 27 October 2009
On the day eight more US soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the first resignation from a top US diplomat about the war.
In the resignation letter obtained by The Washington Post, Matthew Hoh explains that he quit because he was unsure why the US was fighting in Afghanistan.
"In the course of my five months of service in Afghanistan, in both Regional Commands East and South, I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States' presence in Afghanistan."
Hoh goes on to say:
"Next fall, the United States' occupation will equal in length the Soviet Union's own physical involvement in Afghanistan. Like the Soviets, we continue to secure and bolster a failing state, while encouraging an ideology and system of government unknown and unwanted by its people."
His opinion goes against advice outlined in General McChrystal's guide to Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan.
Then on page three of the four page resignation Hoh talks about Europe's part in the conflict:
"Our presence in Afghanistan has only increased destabilisation and insurgency in Pakistan where we rightly fear a toppled or weakened Pakistani government may lose control of its nuclear weapons.
"However, again, to follow the logic of our stated goals we should garrison Pakistan, not Afghanistan. More so, the September 11th attacks, as well as the Madrid and London bombings, were primarily planned and organised in Western Europe; a point that highlights the threat is not one tied to traditional geographic or political boundaries."
Hoh's resignation is the first from a senior US diplomat and comes as President Obama decides on future strategy in the conflict.
The state department employee was offered alternative jobs, but declined.
Nick Paton Walsh has experienced first hand the worsening conditions which Matthew Hoh refers to in his resignation letter.
Earlier this year the Channel 4 News journalist spent some time in the notorious 'Camp Keating.' Since his report was filed American forces in the region have pulled out due to worsening bloodshed.
