Cohen: ‘Nation building’ needed in Afghanistan

Former Defense Secretary William Cohen said Monday he sees a need for “nation building” in Afghanistan if it is to exist under the rule of law.

Speaking on NBC’s “Today” show, Cohen said President Bush “has tried to distinguish nation building by the military from nation building by the international community, which the United States is a major part of.”

“I think we do have to stay the course. We cannot turn our back as we did in the past in Afghanistan,” Cohen said, adding that there will have to be “nation building” by the international community and the United States “will play a major role.”

The former Republican senator from Maine was asked how crucial it is to get Osama bin Laden dead or alive.

“Because he is the head of the al-Qaida network, it’s certainly important that he be brought to justice,” Cohen said. “But in the event that he is not, as long as his network is being ripped up and torn out and decimated, then the risk of more acts of terrorism taking place here or abroad is substantially reduced.”

Cohen said CIA paramilitary units are playing a crucial role on the ground as troops continue to weaken Taliban control. Cohen said their role is to gather as much intelligence as possible and share it with Special Forces and the Air Force so targets can be located and destroyed.

The former Clinton administration Cabinet member was asked how willing northern alliance leaders will be to share power and build a coalition government now that they have taken over former Taliban strongholds.

Cohen referred to reports saying alliance leaders are willing to meet with United Nations officials and consider what type of coalition government can be put together.

“I think it’s a very positive step. Also they must recognize if there’s going to be any stability in that country, they are going to need the international community to support them,” said Cohen.

Meanwhile, in separate talk show interviews, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, both said they have no reason to believe bin Laden has escaped Afghanistan.