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NATO's trouble in Afghanistan gives courage to Al-Qaida, Taliban
+ - 20:31, September 27, 2009
Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden on Friday issued a fresh warning to European countries to part ways with the United States and withdraw their forces from Afghanistan.
"If Europe is today suffering the travails of the economic crisis, and the heart of Europe is no longer number one in world exports, and the America is reeling from the hemorrhage caused by the economic war, then how do think you will fare after America pulls out," he said in a new audio message released on the Internet.
Osama denounced NATO air strikes in Afghanistan, which, he said had killed civilians. This was the second message of the fugitive Islamist leader in less than a month.
In his previous audio tap issued on the eighth anniversary of 9/11 attacks in New York, Osama claimed that President Barack Obama was powerless to win the war in Afghanistan during his own terms.
He also disputed Washington's claim that the war is necessary for U.S. security, accusing the Obama administration of following the policy of Bush government "to promote the previous policies of fear to market the interests of big companies."
The two messages of Osama bin Laden appeared after a long spell of his silence, which had forced people like Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to believe that the Arab warrior was no more alive.
Simultaneously, the Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar also issued a message warning foreign forces that their "unequivocal defeat" is imminent.
He asked the Western people not to believe Obama that war in Afghanistan is necessary.
Without pinpointing President Obama's recent statement that "war in Afghanistan is necessary and there is a need to evolve international consensus in this connection", Mullah Omar argued: "This is not a war of necessity, nor it was for the defense of the West."
The Taliban elusive leader claimed that the U.S. and British offensives (in southern Afghanistan) have failed.
The fresh warnings by the Al-Qaida and Taliban leaders have come at a time when the U.S. and NATO forces are facing a tough time in Afghanistan.
Six Italian soldiers were killed in a suicide bomb attack on their convoy inside the Afghan capital a couple of days ago.
Later, five American troops were killed in an attack in southern Afghanistan.
This year, 370 foreign soldiers, including 218 American servicemen, have been killed in insurgent attacks in Afghanistan. Last year, the tally was 294.
In his report presented to U.S. defense establishment, the U.S.NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, has cautioned that the Taliban are using sophisticated methods and weapons, besides increasing their strength.
Taliban, who were formerly confined to southern and eastern Afghanistan, have now also escalated their operations to other areas of the country.
As the Afghan insurgents have strengthened their grip on the northern Kunduz province, a recent report in the Afghan media said that hundreds of Pakistani Taliban have also penetrated to Afghanistan's northern provinces, particularly Balkh, Kunduz, and Faryab in recent weeks.
Last week, a group of 20 Afghan policemen, according to media reports surrendered to the Taliban in the northern Baghlan province.
It is in the face of this situation that internal pressure has mounted on NATO governments to review their mission in Afghanistan.
On the occasion of the funeral of fallen Italian soldiers in Rome, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi favored withdrawal of his country's forces from Afghanistan.
However, he said any decision in this connection would be made in consultation with allied countries.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also facing serious criticism with regard to Berlin's Afghan policy.
Similarly, the Australian foreign minister said the other day that his country would not send more troops to Afghanistan.
Couple with strong voices emanating from Al-Qaida and Taliban, the visible tumult in NATO ranks shows that the international mission in Afghanistan is hitting snags.
Source:Xinhua
+ - 20:31, September 27, 2009
Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden on Friday issued a fresh warning to European countries to part ways with the United States and withdraw their forces from Afghanistan.
"If Europe is today suffering the travails of the economic crisis, and the heart of Europe is no longer number one in world exports, and the America is reeling from the hemorrhage caused by the economic war, then how do think you will fare after America pulls out," he said in a new audio message released on the Internet.
Osama denounced NATO air strikes in Afghanistan, which, he said had killed civilians. This was the second message of the fugitive Islamist leader in less than a month.
In his previous audio tap issued on the eighth anniversary of 9/11 attacks in New York, Osama claimed that President Barack Obama was powerless to win the war in Afghanistan during his own terms.
He also disputed Washington's claim that the war is necessary for U.S. security, accusing the Obama administration of following the policy of Bush government "to promote the previous policies of fear to market the interests of big companies."
The two messages of Osama bin Laden appeared after a long spell of his silence, which had forced people like Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari to believe that the Arab warrior was no more alive.
Simultaneously, the Afghan Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar also issued a message warning foreign forces that their "unequivocal defeat" is imminent.
He asked the Western people not to believe Obama that war in Afghanistan is necessary.
Without pinpointing President Obama's recent statement that "war in Afghanistan is necessary and there is a need to evolve international consensus in this connection", Mullah Omar argued: "This is not a war of necessity, nor it was for the defense of the West."
The Taliban elusive leader claimed that the U.S. and British offensives (in southern Afghanistan) have failed.
The fresh warnings by the Al-Qaida and Taliban leaders have come at a time when the U.S. and NATO forces are facing a tough time in Afghanistan.
Six Italian soldiers were killed in a suicide bomb attack on their convoy inside the Afghan capital a couple of days ago.
Later, five American troops were killed in an attack in southern Afghanistan.
This year, 370 foreign soldiers, including 218 American servicemen, have been killed in insurgent attacks in Afghanistan. Last year, the tally was 294.
In his report presented to U.S. defense establishment, the U.S.NATO commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, has cautioned that the Taliban are using sophisticated methods and weapons, besides increasing their strength.
Taliban, who were formerly confined to southern and eastern Afghanistan, have now also escalated their operations to other areas of the country.
As the Afghan insurgents have strengthened their grip on the northern Kunduz province, a recent report in the Afghan media said that hundreds of Pakistani Taliban have also penetrated to Afghanistan's northern provinces, particularly Balkh, Kunduz, and Faryab in recent weeks.
Last week, a group of 20 Afghan policemen, according to media reports surrendered to the Taliban in the northern Baghlan province.
It is in the face of this situation that internal pressure has mounted on NATO governments to review their mission in Afghanistan.
On the occasion of the funeral of fallen Italian soldiers in Rome, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi favored withdrawal of his country's forces from Afghanistan.
However, he said any decision in this connection would be made in consultation with allied countries.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is also facing serious criticism with regard to Berlin's Afghan policy.
Similarly, the Australian foreign minister said the other day that his country would not send more troops to Afghanistan.
Couple with strong voices emanating from Al-Qaida and Taliban, the visible tumult in NATO ranks shows that the international mission in Afghanistan is hitting snags.
Source:Xinhua
