Failure of the European Union in Afghanistan has caused resignation. Commander General Friedrich Eichele carrying out police operations of EU in Afghanistan has stepped down. Turkey has again been accused by Brussels.
BRUSSELS- The European Union unilaterally deciding to organize a police operation to Afghanistan last June has not yet sent to the area the necessary police support and facilities forseen for the operation.
Friedrich Eichele, German General making statement to International Herald Tribun, claimed that the reason why the operation failed was that Turkey did not allow the EU to utilize the means and facilities in Kabil and belonging to the NATO. However sources of Chief-Command of European Allied Forces declared that NATO and especially Turkey could not be blamed for this failure.
Same sources said that the failure of the EU resulted from the fact that the Union hurried up to make this operation without making preparation. Moreover, stating that the EU was able to ship only some part of the materials and police forces forseen to make this operation, NATO’s military sources said there was budget problems and deficiency in coordination within the EU. They pointed out that of 70 armoured vehicle needed to arrive at the area, only 15 ones could be sent and the number of police which was determined to be 160 before remained as only 75. NATO authorities also stated that police mission of the EU had never needed NATO means and facilities during their stay in Afghanistan because they did not face such a harsh situation which could not be overcome by the EU forces and that Turkey did not pose an obstacle for the EU. Also it was told that there were certain obstacles to establish cooperation between the EU and NATO but NATO will continue to suppot the EU in supplying aid for search-rescue and immediate health care opertions.
Military sources in Ankara, on the other hand, emphasized Friedrich Eichele is trying to credit his personal failure to a legal problem experienced by Turkey in the process of cooperation between the EU and NATO.
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