Afghan forces not ready fully to ensure security-RF ambassador.

MOSCOW, September 7 (Itar-Tass) -- Afghanistan's armed forces are not ready fully to assume responsibility for the country's security, Russian ambassador to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said in a live broadcast of the Russian information channel Vesti, commenting on the bombing on Taliban fighters that took the toll of peaceful citizens' lives.

"This is, regrettably, not the first tragedy in that country," he
said. "It is not that the public got accustomed to such incidents.
Nevertheless, the incident does not add optimism," he said. "I have seen
no stormy protests on the streets of the Afghan capital yet, but they may
happen in future," he said.
Asked if the local authorities would soon be ready to assume the
responsibility for security in the country, Kabulov said, "Our partners in
Europe and across the ocean are well aware that Afghanistan's armed forces
are not ready fully to assume such responsibility."
"Afghanistan's combat-ready army and police have not been created in
eight years, even though the process goes on," the ambassador said.
"Afghanistan's power-wielding forces do not yet have enough means and
equipment to fight the enemies of the present regime single-handed," he
said.
"The influence of the Taliban movement is broadening in Afghanistan
and has been assuming the overwhelming character in some regions. This
refers to the country's southern and eastern districts," the ambassador
said.
"The relatively quiet districts until recently, eastern and
north-eastern districts, now turn into a 'theatre of operations'," Kabulov
said. "Reports from those districts do not differ from reports about
fighting in the southern provinces," he said.
-0-saf/usn