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Afghans march in Herat to denounce bombings
Women in burqas (veils) and men in wheelchairs were among hundreds of Afghans who marched in the western city of Herat on Tuesday to denounce a wave of suicide bombings that many blame on neighbouring Pakistan.
| Since that's where they originate... |
The march was the third well-organised protest in Afghanistan since a suicide bomber killed 23 people in the town of Spin Boldak, on the border with Pakistan, on January 16. Many people were sacrificed for our freedom. Now, thank God, we have freedom but our enemies dont want us to have peace, said a woman.
| They're determined not to let you have peace until they're in charge — or you've killed them. I'd go for killing them, myself. You had them in charge before. |
Protesters waved the Afghan flag and carried banners with messages such as: Death to terrorism.
| I'm not really turned on by protest marches. I'll be much more impressed when they start shooting people who wear turbans. |
Afghanistan has seen a spate of suicide blasts with 13 since November. The government blames foreign Al Qaeda and Taliban supporters.
| Since they're the ones claiming credit, that's as it should be... |
US forces in Afghanistan say the bombings show the insurgents are becoming increasingly desperate, after suffering heavy losses in their guerrilla campaign last year, and are now going after soft targets. Security analysts suspect the Taliban have stepped up suicide attacks after seeing Al Qaedas success in Iraq.
| Ummm... Right. Look at all their gains... |
Many ordinary Afghans blame Pakistan, which backed the Taliban before the September 11 attacks on the United States, for the violence. I ask the government of Pakistan not to allow terrorism in madrassas, said protester Abdul Hamid, referring to religious schools, some of which in Pakistan are seen as breeding grounds for militants.
| The word "Taliban" means "students." While the real men were fighting the Russers, the Talibs were warm and secure in their madrassahs in Pakland, memorizing their Korans and beating women. |
Another protester urged the government to denounce Pakistan, which rejects accusations that Afghan insurgents get help on the Pakistani side of the border. It says it has reinforced the border to prevent militants from crossing back and forth but a small number might be able to slip through the porous frontier.
| I'm really curious as to how they've reinforced the border when they don't control Waziristan or Bajaur. |
Posted by: Fred 2006-01-25 |
