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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| US sez Taliban aren't up to par with Zark's hard boyz |
| 2005-09-17 |
| The U.S. military believes Taliban militants in Afghanistan are incapable of staging coordinated attacks that could disrupt Sunday's elections, a top U.S. commander said on Friday. But in a separate announcement, the State Department warned U.S. citizens on Friday not to travel to Afghanistan and said it was very concerned about the threat of attacks on foreigners in the run-up to the parliamentary elections. Briefing reporters at the Pentagon by video link from Afghanistan, Army Brig. Gen. James Champion, deputy commander for combat operations and intelligence, said: "We do not anticipate any kind of a coordinated attack. We have not seen the ability of the enemy here in Afghanistan to mount coordinated attacks across this country." Champion said enemy forces had threatened to disrupt the elections with a "spectacular" attack against U.S.-led forces or the U.S.-backed Afghan government. The United States has 17,900 troops in Afghanistan. "But I don't see any kind of a situation happening like you're seeing in Iraq," Champion said. On Friday, a National Assembly candidate was fatally shot, and the insurgents warned Afghans to boycott the elections. The State Department issued a public announcement voicing concern about "terrorist actions" that could include suicide attacks, assassinations, hijackings, bombings or kidnappings. "Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets," the State Department said. The latest announcement supplemented long-standing warnings on Afghanistan that were issued previously. It is due to expire Oct. 14. Champion told reporters U.S. forces had not "heard or seen anything" about the location of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, but maintained the search for him was not on the back-burner. "I really can't tell you anything about the whereabouts of Osama bin Laden. We have not heard or seen anything about him. Quite frankly, we're totally concentrating on rebuilding Afghanistan and this election that's coming up on Sunday," Champion said. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |
| #1 The U.S. military believes Taliban militants in Afghanistan are incapable of staging coordinated attacks that could disrupt Sunday's elections Of course, in my guard unit over here the Viet vets all say that none of the Islamic Freakazoids hold a candle to the Viet Cong/NVA. The old timers further maintain that back in their day it was done up hill both ways in the snow.... told reporters U.S. forces had not "heard or seen anything" about the location of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, And are not about to say anything either... I just wonder if the Iranians and the paks have had any (very quiet) discussions about how they are going to deal with the 40,000 ton elephant stomping around in Afganistan? |
| Posted by: N Guard 2005-09-17 02:40 |