Australia out of Afghanistan in '3 to 4' years

[Coventina]

Source: AFP

SYDNEY — Australia's defence chief on Tuesday said he hoped troops could hand over to Afghan forces in "three to four years," but warned pulling out too early would cause civil war.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston said a premature withdrawal of international forces would almost certainly deliver the troubled central Asian nation to the Taliban and result in a surge in global terrorism.

"If we were to all withdraw now we would leave the country in a situation where I think there would be a civil war, and there is a very strong possibility the Taliban would prevail," said Houston, delivering an update to press here on Afghanistan.

"If the Taliban were to prevail we would be likely to go back to the circumstances that we had before 2001, where the Taliban hosted groups like Al-Qaeda."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gSKA57OetPHFsBhMCk-FLXgKqDuA

[bemildred]

1. I don't think it will be that long.

Things are clearly not going well.

[ohio2007]

4. going after the taliban cash crop in his home district

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=104_1248212823
It may not take four years if the poppy can't be planted. I don't think Obama is going in the wrong direction if farmers have their poppy seed "stolen" by the invaders

[bemildred]

5. Poppies are easy to grow. Pretty much a weed. But it's not really about the poppies. nt

[timeforpeace]

2. If the only thing keeping the Taliban from taking control again is us, what's the point?

Maybe it's the will of the poor people there. They've had a long time to get their heads straight on this, so if they still want the Taliban, why are we meddling?

[ConcernedCanuk]

7. USA fucks(meddles) with other people's countries

.
.
.

It's what the USA DOES!

As George Carlin once said:

"We are a war-like nation - -We just gotta keep fucking with somebody!"


RIP Mr. Carlin

[ohio2007]

3. Kiwi's are sending their special forces back into Afghanistan

New Zealand mulls Afghan special forces plan: PM

Sun Jul 19, 11:03 pm ET
WELLINGTON (AFP) – New Zealand is considering recommitting special forces to the escalating war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Prime Minister John Key said Monday.

snip




File photo shows soldiers from New Zealand performing the traditional warrior dance during a ceremony at a military compound in Bamiyan, northwest of Kabul. New Zealand is considering recommitting special forces to the escalating war against the Taliban in Afghanistan, Prime Minister John Key has said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090720/wl_asia_afp/afghanistanunrestnzealand_20090720030358

They can hit the Taliban hard with the Haka.

[anakie]

6. this war is a waste of time, money and lives

fighting an unwinnable war. Just look at the history of the region, many have tried - none have succeeded.


Peace

[dflprincess]

8. Australia had the good sense to pull out of Vietnam long before we did too

this time we should follow their example.