US general says Afghan challenges unlike Iraq

PARIS: U.S. Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday that a "comprehensive approach" is needed to quell the war in Afghanistan, including reconciliation within the population and "absolute engagement" with neighboring Pakistan.

Extremists — be they al-Qaida, the Taliban or others with bases in tribal areas of Pakistan — have all contributed to Afghanistan's problems, Petraeus said.

Neighboring Pakistan "faces a threat that certainly seems to be an existential threat," Petraeus said, noting the weekend attack that killed 53 at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.

"It is hugely important to have absolute engagement with the new Pakistan government, with, of course, the Pakistan military," Petraeus told reporters in Paris before he takes over the U.S. Central Command next month.

The general, credited with saving Iraq from near civil war, will steer strategy in Afghanistan and the region in his new job.

Petraeus did not comment on a report by the U.S. Central Command that Pakistani troops fired at two American helicopters patrolling the border Thursday. Nor did he say whether he would opt to continue attacks from Afghanistan into Pakistan's tribal areas — attacks that have enraged Pakistani authorities.

He said Afghanistan, which he visited recently, holds vast challenges that were not found in Iraq, which is rich in natural resources, has a tradition of central government and a considerable infrastructure.

"In Iraq, you are rebuilding. In Afghanistan, you are building," he said.

A comprehensive approach is needed, like that applied in Iraq, he said.

Reconciliation must be a "component of the overall strategy," he said, as people are "the decisive terrain."

In addition, an entire infrastructure is needed to support the increase in troop numbers that NATO wants.

Petraeus said calls for Iraq-bound troops to instead be transferred to Afghanistan were being partially met, and noted U.S. plans to send more soldiers, as an 8,000-troop reduction in Iraq has been approved.

The level of violence in Iraq is at its lowest level in 4 1/2 years and there have been economic and other gains.

But "there is certainly a residual lethal and dangerous al-Qaida in Iraq," Petraeus said, adding that progress "remains reversible and is fragile."