US general: Afghan deadline 'giving enemy sustenance'

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

A senior US general has warned President Barack Obama's deadline to begin pulling troops out of Afghanistan is encouraging the Taliban.

US General James Conway, head of the US Marine Corps, said the deadline was "giving our enemy sustenance". Gen Conway warned that US forces in southern Afghanistan will likely have to stay in place for several years.

His comments are likely to fuel debate over US strategy in Afghanistan and Mr Obama's July 2011 withdrawal date.

US administration officials say privately they are not surprised to hear the comments from the general, who, correspondents say, has typical US Marine Corps bluntness - and is also about to retire.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11078966

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Video of what he said at the link.

[Turborama]

1. The Guardian: Obama's Afghanistan deadline gives Taliban sustenance, US general warns

Sam Jones and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Wednesday August 25 2010 08.56 BST

=snip=

"In some ways, we think right now it is probably giving our enemy sustenance," he said. "In fact we've intercepted communications that say, 'Hey, you know, we only need to hold out for so long.'"

=snip=

However, Conway said he believed the Taliban were in for a surprise once they realised next July that US forces would be remaining — and in large numbers. That, he said, would damage the "enemy psyche".

Conway said that one of the biggest challenges still facing the US military was winning the support of the US public for the war. "I sense our country is increasingly growing tired of the war," he said, pointing to opinion polls showing unfavourable views of the war in Britain and the US.

"I don't think that we have done a strong enough job in convincing the American people that there are good and just reasons why we have to destroy the al-Qaida and the associated Taliban in Afghanistan."

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/25/obama-afghanistan-deadline-sustains-taliban

[Blue_Tires]

2. like we haven't heard that line a million times already...

[Lightning Count]

3. Doesn't matter a wit.

Let the Afghans handle their own problems.

[bemildred]

4. Has this silly shit noticed they are doing quite well with us there? nt