Afghan forces backed by 9,000 NATO troops are poised to provide security as national elections approach, but a spectacular offensive by anti-government rebels cannot be ruled out, the top U.S. diplomat in Afghanistan said Friday. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad said Al-Qaida, the Taliban and allied forces are poised to try to derail the Oct. 9 presidential elections and have been cooperating with each other. "I expect that as we go toward the election and on election day, they will try to disrupt," he said. "The area where they are going to be most active is along the border with Pakistan." Khalilzad, who is here for consultations, said they also may carry out "spectacular attacks" similar to the offensive launched by North Vietnam in early 1968 against American forces. That offensive started a process that eventually led to negotiations for the American withdrawal from Vietnam.
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Deep thoughts. Really. Can I get a 'F**kin Duh' here? |