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| Afghanistan |
| U.S. Considers Expanding ISAF |
| 2002-08-30 |
| Less than 48 hours after IslamOnline published the first statement by the so-called Secret Afghani Army, U.S. and U.K. officials said they consider expanding the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan beyond Kabul. Oh, look! Cause and effect! Both the U.S. and the U.K are considering several options including the creation of a mobile, rapid-reaction force that could be sent from Kabul to particular trouble spots as well as establishing ISAF contingents in several other cities, including Mazar-e-Sharif, Herat and Kandahar, reported the BBC, adding that, the Americans would not provide troops but would give support, as at present — air cover, transport and emergency evacuation would be vital. Don't suppose it would hurt to support the local copper corps... The U.S. Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, was against deploying the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) beyond the Kabul area, as he thought it would interfere with American operations against the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The United States has, instead, put its faith in training a new Afghan army, but that is going more slowly than hoped. Some observers say the strategy is undermined by American support for local warlords helping the hunt for al-Qaeda. Or by the warlords sending their guys by to get some training before going back and slapping people around... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |