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Gen. Keane on U.S. - Afghan Relations: "They Want Respect"
By Regina Bratton
Published December 22, 2015
Most Americans don't understand the anti-American sentiments on display in the streets of Afghanistan. Former 4-star General Jack Keane explains it simply, "They [Afghans] want respect." Keane told America's News Headquarters, "That's what is driving this. The Taliban and others who are trying to undermine the government are exploiting it."
Some Afghans are still reeling over the burning of Korans at an American base outside of Kabul. The riots continued for a sixth day on Sunday. The crowds battled Afghan security forces and threw grenades at a U.S. base in Kunduz province, wounding seven people. Saturday two Americans were killed inside of the Interior Ministry.
General Keane went on to say America has a good relationship with the Afghan people, but America's relationship with some of the country's leaders, specifically President Hamid Karzai, is another matter entirely.
"We have a very good relationship with the people, first and foremost, in the communities and among the district Governors and Village Chiefs. We've forged an unusually strong relationship with those people. We've done it based on the values of the American people and our sensitivities to their culture. That's what is so frustrating about this."
General Keane is intimately familiar with Afghanistan. He has visited the country four times within the past 18 months, and met with U.S. troops and Afghan village leaders.
"We have significant challenges with the leaders of the Taliban movement in sanctuaries outside of Afghanistan and Pakistan." Regarding how the Obama Administration is handling the Afghanistan, General Keane had this to say: "As it pertains to the President, I think his actions are appropriate."
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/gen-keane-on-u-s-afghan-relations-they-want-respect