George W. Bush, September 27th, 2004:
“…as a result of the United States military, [the] Taliban no longer is in existence. And the people of Afghanistan are now free.”
“Afghan violence kills 14, including NATO soldier,” Associated Press, July 19th, 2008:
Afghan troops clashed with Taliban insurgents attacking a supply convoy for NATO troops, killing nine militants, officials said Saturday. Roadside bombs killed a NATO soldier in a separate convoy and four policemen.
The violence came as Barack Obama arrived in Kabul with an official congressional delegation. It was the Democratic presidential contender’s first visit to Afghanistan.
The militants were killed after they attacked a supply convoy for NATO-led troops in Zabul province, said provincial police official Jalali Khan…
“Surge in Afghan troops imminent,” The Australian*, July18th, 2008:
Taliban and other Islamic militants have been growing ever bolder in their attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan, with the most recent attack on a remote US outpost near the Pakistan border resulting in the deaths of nine US soldiers last Sunday.
Yesterday, NATO acknowledged it had begun targeting positions across the tense border in Pakistan’s North Waziristan - an area controlled by the leading al-Qa’ida- and Taliban-linked commander, Baitullah Mehsood.
And in case you think this problem is a new one, it ain’t.
*The Australian is owned by Rupert Murdoch
