Afghan security transfer proceeds

U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan Monday readied to complete the handover of security in seven areas to Afghan security forces.

The transfer of responsibility to the Afghan army and police for the seven cities and provinces is part of a plan to let the domestic forces assume control of the entire country's security by 2014 as foreign forces withdraw their troops engaged in the 10-year-old war.

The security transfer process has been proceeding even though there are concerns whether the Afghan forces are capable of keeping order, earning people's trust and chasing away the Taliban, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The report said the seven locations would be a proving ground for ensuring the success of the process leading to the 2014 deadline, whereupon the Western forces would pull back to largely training and peacekeeping responsibilities.

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, who attended the security transfer events, said the transition was in line with Afghans' "patriotic duty to defend and secure our country."

One of these areas was Lashkar Gah, capital of violence-hit Helmand province, the country's opium-growing center. Insurgent violence prior to the transfer there included the killing of seven police officers, the Times reported.

Provincial spokesman Daoud Ahmadi said a turncoat officer at a city checkpoint poisoned the victims before shooting them. That raised concerns among those who see the transition areas only as symbolic havens, the newspaper said.

Some observers said the thought of relying on Afghan police for protection is causing apprehension among the citizens as they are seen as undisciplined, corrupt and badly behaved.

The Taliban remains scornful of the security transition, the Times said.

"Even with the help of the coalition armies, Afghan forces couldn't safeguard these areas," a Taliban spokesman said. "So how can they keep them safe now?"