US surprised by strength of Taliban fightback

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL125533.htm

KABUL, Nov 9 (Reuters) - Taliban insurgents have fought back against Afghan government and Western forces with surprising intensity this year, strengthened by drug money and the ability to shelter in Pakistan, a top U.S. official said on Thursday.

Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asian Affairs Richard Boucher said efforts to extend the rule of President Hamid Karzai's government deeper into the provinces had run into tougher-than-expected resistance.

"As this extension of government goes out, we are challenging those people and they are challenging us back," he told reporters at the heavily fortified U.S. embassy in Kabul.

"I think we have all been surprised by the intensity of the violence this year. It has a number of factors: part of it is drug money linking up with the insurgency. Part of it these people have the ability to operate in and out of Pakistan.

[LynnTheDem]

1. But GEORGE W BUSH said "Taliban is no longer in existence"

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040927-4.html

2 years ago.

And he knows his facts!

*SNORT*

[uppityperson]

2. USA administration,perhaps you should have talked with USSR admin

Afghanistan is a tough place.