アフガン混迷 性急な国際部隊撤収は危険だ

The Yomiuri Shimbun (Mar. 21, 2012)
Hasty troop withdrawal from Afghanistan risky
アフガン混迷　性急な国際部隊撤収は危険だ（3月20日付・読売社説）

The relationship of trust built up steadily by the United States and Europe with Afghanistan could break down at a moment's notice through thoughtless actions or unexpected incidents.
　地道に積み重ねてきた米欧とアフガニスタンとの信頼関係も、心ない行為や突発的な事件によって一瞬に崩れ去る。

Many lives have been lost in retaliatory actions in Afghanistan, making the country's security situation more uncertain. This is the reality of Afghanistan as a battlefield.
　報復行為との悪循環で多くの命が奪われ、治安の先行きは一層不透明になっていく。これが戦地アフガンの現状だ。

The Afghan situation has deteriorated since the turn of the year.
　今年に入り、アフガン情勢は悪化するばかりである。

In January, a video clip of four U.S. marines urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters was hosted on a website.
　１月、米海兵隊員が旧支配勢力タリバンの兵士の遺体に放尿する動画が投稿サイトで流れた。

An angry Afghan soldier killed four French soldiers belonging to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Immediately after this, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said French troops would complete their withdrawal from Afghanistan at the end of 2013, one year earlier than scheduled.
　怒ったアフガン軍兵士が、国際治安支援部隊（ＩＳＡＦ）傘下の仏軍兵士４人を殺害するや、サルコジ仏大統領は、仏軍戦闘部隊の撤収を予定より１年早め、「２０１３年末に完了」と発表した。

In February, it was revealed that Korans were among trash burned by ISAF members at a U.S. base. A furious Afghan killed two U.S. officers, who served as advisers to the Afghan Interior Ministry. All advisers to Afghan ministries were withdrawn from the ministries immediately.
　２月には、ＩＳＡＦ要員がゴミと一緒にイスラム教の聖典コーランを燃やしたことが発覚した。反発したアフガン人が内務省顧問の米軍士官２人を殺害したため、各省顧問団は一斉に引き揚げた。

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Distrust increasing

The series of incidents has increased distrust between Afghanistan and the United States and Europe. The schism yawned even wider on March 11 when civilians were massacred in the southern province of Kandahar.
　アフガン政府と米欧の間で不信の溝が広がったと言える。それをさらに決定的にしたのが、今月１１日、南部カンダハル州で起きた民間人虐殺事件だ。

There is no excuse for a U.S. staff sergeant to indiscriminately kill 16 civilians, including nine children. The U.S. government must investigate the case thoroughly in the hope of regaining Afghanistan's trust.
　子供９人を含む１６人を無差別殺害した米軍２等軍曹の行為は釈明の余地がない。米政府は、事件を徹底的に究明し、容疑者を訴追して、信頼回復に努めるべきだ。

Following the massacre, the Taliban called off behind-the-scenes peace talks with Washington. This development is a cause for concern.
　懸念されるのは、タリバンが、米政府と水面下で進めていた和平交渉を、民間人虐殺事件後、一方的に打ち切ったことだ。

U.S. President Barack Obama has pledged to withdraw U.S. combat forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.
　オバマ米大統領は、米軍戦闘部隊をアフガンから１４年末までに撤収させる、と公約している。

To realize a "responsible withdrawal," the Obama administration wants to promote peace and political reconciliation talks with the Taliban, which has its roots in the south of the country, while fostering and strengthening Afghanistan's security forces so the country can deal with its own public security.
　「責任ある撤収」を実現するため、アフガン治安部隊を育成・強化して自立を促す一方で、南部に根を張るタリバンとの政治的な和解・和平を進める計画だ。

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Bring Taliban back to talks

New ideas are needed to bring the Taliban back to the negotiating table.
　タリバンを再び対話の場に戻す上で新たな工夫が必要だろう。

A U.S. public opinion survey shows a majority of Americans want the troop withdrawal advanced because of the intensification of anti-U.S. sentiment and the increase in the number of U.S. soldiers killed and injured in Afghanistan.
　米世論調査では、アフガンでの反米感情の高まりと米兵の死傷者増加に嫌気がさして、撤収の前倒しを求める声が多数を占める。

But if the United States impulsively pulls out its troops, it only will lead to the Taliban stepping up its military offensive to regain power. The international community must unite to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hotbed for terrorism once again.
　だが、性急に戦闘部隊撤収に動けば、タリバンは政権奪還へ軍事攻勢を強めるだけである。アフガンを再びテロの温床に戻さぬよう国際社会の連携が求められる。

Due to the series of incidents by U.S. troops, the Afghan situation is on the brink of a serious crisis. To stop the Afghan security situation from deteriorating, Washington must redouble its military and diplomatic efforts.
　相次ぐ米軍の失態で、アフガン情勢は大きな危機に瀕(ひん)している。治安の悪化を食い止めるため、軍事、外交両面での努力を倍加させる責任が米国にはある。

In July, Japan will host an international conference on assistance to Afghanistan, at which Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be invited to attend as a guest. Tokyo must step up its indirect and nonmilitary support to help stabilize the Afghan situation.
　日本は７月にアフガン支援の国際会議を主催し、カルザイ大統領を招待している。アフガン安定化への側面支援も強めたい。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, March 20, 2012)
（2012年3月20日01時25分 読売新聞）