| Submit your comments on this article | |
| Afghanistan | |
| U.S. General Sees Taliban in Afghanistan | |
| 2003-09-08 | |
| Taliban fighters, paid and trained by al-Qaida, are pouring into Afghanistan from Pakistan, the top American commander in Afghanistan said Sunday. What a suprise, well no, not really. Lt. Gen. John Vines said the Taliban were trying to regroup and regain control of the country they ruled until ousted by the United States in late 2001. His comments to reporters traveling with Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld were the first confirmation from a top U.S. military official of reports of a Taliban resurgence out of Pakistan into Afghanistan. American, Afghan and coalition forces have responded with military operations against the radical Islamic fighters. As many as 200 Taliban have been killed this week alone, Vines said. "They have been attempting to (regroup) for nine months," Vines said. "Every time, we’ve disrupted them, we’ve interdicted them, we’ve denied them sanctuary, and we’ve killed them." Vines said perhaps as many as 1,000 Taliban were in and around the area. "They’re attempting to regain power," Vines said. "They’ve been attempting to do that for a year and a half." They’re gonna keep trying as long as they have a safe haven. American military officials have indications the recent Taliban resurgence is spurred in part by operatives of the al-Qaida network, who have been giving the Taliban training and funding. Apparently frustrated with the Taliban’s lack of success, their al-Qaida sponsors have urged the Taliban on or risk losing al-Qaida’s support. Vines called it a ``use it or lose it’’ ultimatum from Osama bin Laden’s network. That’s interesting, maybe they are running short of money and personnel. Mounting operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq must be a major drain on resources. They may need something they can show as a success in order to keep the contributions and volunteers coming.
| |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #1 |
| Posted by: liberalhawk 2003-9-8 4:10:25 PM |