A lot of people mis-report the Pak-Waziristan deal, like a Pak-Taliban deal.
Anyway what's interesting is the actual difference on ground came from the British-Taliban deal, where they handed over the area to the tribal elders (as they advertised omitting out the part that the elders were Pro-Taliban).
It is a fact that before this deal the Taliban weren't abundant in the region. It was a big deal to spot one. Now they roam freely, place minefields, even police areas and arrest loitering journalists.
There's a new sheriff in town.
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_En...367048278&par=
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16242693/site/newsweek/
Anyway what's interesting is the actual difference on ground came from the British-Taliban deal, where they handed over the area to the tribal elders (as they advertised omitting out the part that the elders were Pro-Taliban).
It is a fact that before this deal the Taliban weren't abundant in the region. It was a big deal to spot one. Now they roam freely, place minefields, even police areas and arrest loitering journalists.
There's a new sheriff in town.
http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_En...367048278&par=
AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN NOW WELCOMED BACK SAYS VETERAN
Kandahar, 15 Dec. (AKI) - (Syed Saleem Shahzad) - With a black beard flecked with grey, a soft smiling face and only one leg, he could be just another of the thousands of war victims scattered across Afghanistan. In reality he is the veteran commander of mujahadeen in Kandahar against the Soviets, the war that cost him his leg. Twenty years on, he is again a major player, but this time in the Taliban-led offensive against NATO troops. Meet commander Haji Naimtullah.
Naimatullah shied away when this correspondent requested his snap shot and instead showed his one remaining leg which was injured, adding that soon he would be visiting the south western Pakistani city of Quetta for treatment and if his pictures were released in the news media he might be arrested in Pakistan.
Naimatullah was the Taliban commander in the town of Musa Qala during the Taliban regime and was forced to leave the area taking refuge in Baghran district’s rugged mountainous village of Akhtak.
The Taliban laid siege for nearly three months around the NATO forces' base in July 2006. Taliban evacuated the local population and dug in for the long haul.
The British forces found their supplies running low and finally a historic deal was struck last month between the district government and Taliban under which the administration was formally handed over to the tribal elders, who again, just happened to be pro-Taliban.
NATO forces and Afghan police and Army withdrew from the area - after receiving guarantees that the Taliban would not use it for launching attacks. Now Taliban call the shots everywhere.
Naimatullah recalled how the people of Musa Qala said happily goodbye to Taliban when they were overthrown in the 2001 US invasion and heartily welcomed the new Kabul administration.
“They were expecting that with Americans coming to Afghanistan, the place would be a paradise on earth but in the last few days they have seen a worst kind of anarchy and lawlessness. In addition, during military operations against Taliban many civilians have been killed. Despite repeated promises by the government, the families of the victims have not not compensated. As a result, the masses finally turned to Taliban again,” Naimatullah argued.
Kandahar, 15 Dec. (AKI) - (Syed Saleem Shahzad) - With a black beard flecked with grey, a soft smiling face and only one leg, he could be just another of the thousands of war victims scattered across Afghanistan. In reality he is the veteran commander of mujahadeen in Kandahar against the Soviets, the war that cost him his leg. Twenty years on, he is again a major player, but this time in the Taliban-led offensive against NATO troops. Meet commander Haji Naimtullah.
Naimatullah shied away when this correspondent requested his snap shot and instead showed his one remaining leg which was injured, adding that soon he would be visiting the south western Pakistani city of Quetta for treatment and if his pictures were released in the news media he might be arrested in Pakistan.
Naimatullah was the Taliban commander in the town of Musa Qala during the Taliban regime and was forced to leave the area taking refuge in Baghran district’s rugged mountainous village of Akhtak.
The Taliban laid siege for nearly three months around the NATO forces' base in July 2006. Taliban evacuated the local population and dug in for the long haul.
The British forces found their supplies running low and finally a historic deal was struck last month between the district government and Taliban under which the administration was formally handed over to the tribal elders, who again, just happened to be pro-Taliban.
NATO forces and Afghan police and Army withdrew from the area - after receiving guarantees that the Taliban would not use it for launching attacks. Now Taliban call the shots everywhere.
Naimatullah recalled how the people of Musa Qala said happily goodbye to Taliban when they were overthrown in the 2001 US invasion and heartily welcomed the new Kabul administration.
“They were expecting that with Americans coming to Afghanistan, the place would be a paradise on earth but in the last few days they have seen a worst kind of anarchy and lawlessness. In addition, during military operations against Taliban many civilians have been killed. Despite repeated promises by the government, the families of the victims have not not compensated. As a result, the masses finally turned to Taliban again,” Naimatullah argued.
Afghanistan: Want to Meet the Taliban? No Prob.
Dec. 25, 2006 - Jan. 1, 2007 - Until earlier this year, contacting the Taliban inside Afghanistan was a dangerous ordeal. Most were in hiding, living in the shadows in remote mountain areas. I could communicate with rebel commanders only by satellite phone. When I could arrange a clandestine meeting, the journey to the rendezvous site was hazardous, and once there, commanders and fighters were reluctant to talk or show their faces for security reasons.
Now the situation in Afghanistan has become tougher for American and NATO troops—but easier for me. As a result of the Taliban offensive that kicked off just before last spring, I'm dealing with a different insurgent movement. Significant guerrilla units are actively operating near major towns and even within a two-hour drive from Kabul. I can contact commanders easily on their cellular phones. They are more confident, are eager to talk and have started inviting "trusted" journalists to visit their newly secured zones. In September I visited a senior commander and more than 100 of his well-armed fighters lounging inside a bustling village that is located within sight of the main road and only a few miles from an American military base in Ghazni province. Villagers went about their daily chores, paying little attention to the gunmen. Days later I was even able to bring along my American colleague from news-week to meet guerrillas in another village nearby. Most commanders and fighters now freely pose for photos.
Still, it's a risky business. In November, as I waited near a main highway in Ghazni, I was kidnapped by four heavily armed Taliban on motorcycles. They bound my hands and took my wallet, camera, cell and satellite phones, and the car I was riding in. Luckily, a commander happened by and probably saved my life. Even so, when I was released, the gunmen told me to run and not look back. I feared they'd shoot me in the back, but they never fired. And one evening at dusk recently as I was driving out of another Taliban area, an armed man riding on a motorcycle roared up and flashed his headlight. I froze in fear. But his intention was friendly. He warned me somewhat belatedly that my car had just driven through a minefield.
Dec. 25, 2006 - Jan. 1, 2007 - Until earlier this year, contacting the Taliban inside Afghanistan was a dangerous ordeal. Most were in hiding, living in the shadows in remote mountain areas. I could communicate with rebel commanders only by satellite phone. When I could arrange a clandestine meeting, the journey to the rendezvous site was hazardous, and once there, commanders and fighters were reluctant to talk or show their faces for security reasons.
Now the situation in Afghanistan has become tougher for American and NATO troops—but easier for me. As a result of the Taliban offensive that kicked off just before last spring, I'm dealing with a different insurgent movement. Significant guerrilla units are actively operating near major towns and even within a two-hour drive from Kabul. I can contact commanders easily on their cellular phones. They are more confident, are eager to talk and have started inviting "trusted" journalists to visit their newly secured zones. In September I visited a senior commander and more than 100 of his well-armed fighters lounging inside a bustling village that is located within sight of the main road and only a few miles from an American military base in Ghazni province. Villagers went about their daily chores, paying little attention to the gunmen. Days later I was even able to bring along my American colleague from news-week to meet guerrillas in another village nearby. Most commanders and fighters now freely pose for photos.
Still, it's a risky business. In November, as I waited near a main highway in Ghazni, I was kidnapped by four heavily armed Taliban on motorcycles. They bound my hands and took my wallet, camera, cell and satellite phones, and the car I was riding in. Luckily, a commander happened by and probably saved my life. Even so, when I was released, the gunmen told me to run and not look back. I feared they'd shoot me in the back, but they never fired. And one evening at dusk recently as I was driving out of another Taliban area, an armed man riding on a motorcycle roared up and flashed his headlight. I froze in fear. But his intention was friendly. He warned me somewhat belatedly that my car had just driven through a minefield.
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