Article

2008-01-25 Afghanistan

The British have made matters worse, says Afghan President

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Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-01-25 00:16|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top
File under: Taliban

#1 it sounds like Mr. Karzai might be the problem.
Is there anyone who could replace him?

Posted by Snigum the Really Smart2446 2008-01-25 07:57|| 2008-01-25 07:57|| Front Page Top

#2 Karzai is actually a pretty subtle guy, and a lot better politician than he's given credit for being. It would be an enormous step backward for our efforts to see him "replaced."

Next election is a different matter. For my own preference, I'd like to see Younus Qanouni make good -- the point against him being that he's not a Pashtun.

Posted by Fred 2008-01-25 08:40|| 2008-01-25 08:40|| Front Page Top

#3 So Basra isn't the only place the Brits bungled?

Posted by Steve White">Steve White 2008-01-25 10:53|| 2008-01-25 10:53|| Front Page Top

#4 In late September 2006, a secret truce was allegedly made with the Taliban under which British troops would quietly move out of Musa Qala in return for the Taliban not attacking the region. The truce had the sanction of Mohammad Daud, the governor of Helmand province, and most tribal elders, who felt they could now exercise control over the Taliban themselves. It was also seen as a move to help integrate the Pashtuns on the side of the US-allied government. Others however, saw the move as a cop-out; Lieutenant-General David Richards, the NATO commander in Afghanistan said at the time that this move turned these four centers into magnets for the Taliban.

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-01-25 11:11|| 2008-01-25 11:11|| Front Page Top

#5 sounds to me like Kharzai, whos probably been as good as we could have got, as Fred says, but also has weaknesses, had a guy in place in Helmand who really was a problem, but the Brits, having been heavy handed in forcing Kharzais guy out, were then expected to do better in Helmand then they did - showing that the problems in Helmand were not ALL due to Kharzais dude.

As to who succeeds Kharzai, I really need on update on all these guys, and what theyve all done since 2002.

I used to like Abdullah Abdullah (and not just for his name) - whats he up to?

Posted by Dopey Flotle8127 2008-01-25 11:17|| 2008-01-25 11:17|| Front Page Top

#6 It's hard to say what the Brits were thinking about Musa Qala. But it's usually pretty difficult to get a large number of terrs all together in one place, advertising their presence.
This one worked out.

Posted by Richard Aubrey">Richard Aubrey 2008-01-25 12:39|| 2008-01-25 12:39|| Front Page Top

#7 Afghanistan has 2 resources: opium and mountains. And ski resorts are a long way off.

Posted by Perfesser 2008-01-25 12:49|| 2008-01-25 12:49|| Front Page Top

#8 WAFF.com > TELEGRAPH.UK > PAKISTAN URGES UK TO LEAVE AFGANISTAN. Less firepower, more political process and development [i.e. NATIONBUILDING] - else, Britain = NATO should leave as are justifying the presence of major Islamist forces-orgs in Paki. Also from WAFF > ZEENEWS - PAKISTAN'S NEW PORT HAS STRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA. Gwadar = CHINESE???; + CANADA HINTS AT NATO INTERVENTION IN PAKISTAN. The Canucks are threatening to come.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-01-25 18:47|| 2008-01-25 18:47|| Front Page Top

#9 PRAVDA > US RECESSION TO HIT CANADA HARDEST.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-01-25 18:49|| 2008-01-25 18:49|| Front Page Top

#10 NYT > US RECESSION TO HIT WOMEN AND CHILDREN HARDEST.

There. Fixed it.

Posted by Skunky Glins5285">Skunky Glins5285 2008-01-25 19:45|| 2008-01-25 19:45|| Front Page Top

#11 CBS > END OF THE WORLD TO HIT WOMEN, CHILDREN AND MINORITIES HARDEST

Posted by GolfBravoUSMC 2008-01-25 20:58|| 2008-01-25 20:58|| Front Page Top

23:51 JosephMendiola
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