General: Afghanistan Demands Urgent Action

Top U.S. Commander In Afghanistan Says More Troops And Aid Needed "As Quickly As Possible"

(AP)  The top American military commander in Afghanistan said Wednesday that he needs more troops and other aid "as quickly as possible" in a counterinsurgency battle that could get worse before it gets better.

Gen. David McKiernan said it's not just a question of troops — but more economic aid and more political aid as well.

Speaking to Pentagon reporters, the head of NATO forces in Afghanistan said there has been a significant increase in foreign fighters coming in from neighboring Pakistan this year — including Chechens, Uzbeks, Saudis and Europeans.

"The additional military capabilities that have been asked for are needed as quickly as possible," he said.

He said he was encouraged by recent Pakistani military operations against insurgents waging cross-border attacks into Afghanistan, but also said that it is too soon to tell how effective they have been.

Officials have said that violence in Afghanistan is up about 30 percent this year compared with 2007. The Taliban and associated militant groups like the terrorist network al Qaeda have steadily stepped up attacks in the last several years and more U.S. soldiers have died in Afghanistan already this year than in any year since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion.

"We're in a very tough fight," McKiernan said. "The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said last week that he may be able to send thousands more combat troops to Afghanistan starting next spring.

McKiernan was scheduled to meet with President Bush at the White House late Wednesday.

The general's assessment coincides with a fresh report on the situation by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who expressed dismay that attacks against aid workers have increased in 2008.

A report released by his office Tuesday said that at least 30 aid workers have been killed and 92 abducted so far this year. At least 22 World Food Program convoys have been attacked, as have 59 schools.

"Regardless of the progress made in certain areas, my overall impression is that the situation in the country has deteriorated over the past six months," Ban said in the report. "Nevertheless, I strongly believe that the negative trend can be reversed."

Saying that security has "deteriorated markedly," the report noted that the number of U.N.-recorded security-related incidents rose to 983 in August — the highest monthly total since the Taliban's ouster in late 2001. The report did not define a security incident, but typically it refers to bombings, shootings and other violent acts.

[samsel3]

The US is backing the TAPI pipeline and other basin projects for oil & gas to prevent Asian countries from using Iranian sources. The broader aspects of US and Canadian interests eliminating the Taliban in Afghanistan is to circumvent Russian-Iranian gas & oil deals. The US led energy consortium is trying to secure their interests in Asian markets.

The American people will not benefit by dumping trillions of dollars into this money pit.
This country is in enough debt. Big Oil & Gas and allied industry fat cats are the only ones to profit at the peoples expense.

[samsel3]

Karzai is protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.

Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,.....". A consortium of oil & gas companies have taken over where UNOCAL left off.

On 24 April 2008, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan led by a US Oil & Gas consortium signed an agreement to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan. Asian Development Bank money is one of the financial sources with possible re-entry of the World Bank.

[samsel3]

Somebody please tell me im wrong
Posted by livewire190 at 05:38 PM : Oct 01, 2008

You are so WRONG. Venezuela is over OIL & Natural Gas.
It''s all about BIG OIL. The administration wants regime change in Iran & Venezuela. Conoco-Phillips, Exxon Mobil & Chevron would not accept new conditions for their oil leases. They wanted significant control in new areas of the gulf of Venezuela, but the Venezuelan''s are looking after their own interests and offered a diminished role in developing oil reserves or nothing. As a result all three companies were terminated. The owners of these companies are Richard Cheney''s friends and now look for the administrations strong arm tactics.

In 2006 & 2007 Iran & Venezuela vested oil deals and partnered to develop tracts in Venezuelas Orinoco Reserve. One tract Iran will help develop contains approximately 30 billion barrels of oil.
Venezuela''s total oil reserves are estimated at 265 billion barrels which could top the Saudi''''s Reserves.

Venezuela, has struck oil and natural gas deals with Iran & Malaysia , as well as China and Russia . China & Russia. will aid and protect Venezueala if needed .

[samsel3]

GOD BLESS AMERICA
Posted by aothah at 06:47 PM : Oct 01, 2008


We are free ! You just don t get it. This country went to war based on lies so that members of the PNAC could profit. The war in Afghanistan began long before 911. Iraq is one of seven countries Bush & Cheney are taking out because of their National security beliefs regarding OIL & Natural Gas.

Americans are paying for a few rich people with a dishonest greedy agenda...........

[stn_sage]

Gen. David McKiernan said it''s not just a question of troops %u2014 but more economic aid and more political aid as well. (from article)

This single sentence suggests what''s going wrong in Afghanistan---EVERYTHING! It''s not JUST lack of troops, but also lack of economic AND political aid!

But, how could this be!?

As of one and one half to two years ago, we were told by various members of this administration that the war there WAS CONTAINED, that the Taliban had been defeated! So, why all the problems, now?!

This could ONLY mean that the members of this administration who declared this were WRONG, OR, they lied to us! Which is it!?

In any event, we CANNOT continue to throw money at this war with Congress poised to pass the largest CORPORATE WELFARE program in the nations'' history!

Let them use their drug money, to buy an army and defeat the Taliban---if they really want that, we shouldn''t be doing it for them!

[livewire190]

"We do not intend to attack anybody. But all our partners must realize that for protection of Russia and its allies if necessary armed forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons," Baluyevsky was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

Baluyevsky reportedly made the statement at a scientific conference of the Academy of Military Sciences January 19, 2008.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by samsel3 at 05:23 PM

Eventhough that should be taken serious, for the most part its all B*L*U*F*F! We all Know clearly that Russha is refering to the U.S. trying to sound all tuff but they know good and well that if they let the nukes fly then we''ll let''em fly. They know this. And all this mess of them chill''in with Venezuela is just to to get under are skin because it right in our backyard. The dont wont the defense system installed in Poland because they know that their chances of shooting a nuke over here would proberly deminish. Russha dont want it wit the U.S. Somebody please tell me im wrong!

[generey]

BULLFUNKY !

[samsel3]

There are no benefits for Americans in Afghanistan. Your tax dollars and cumulative borrowed debt to finance these operations only benefit the corporations who purchased the oil& gas rights in the Caspian Sea Basin, for the construction of the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Pipelines........nothing more nothing less.

And the extermination continues:...........

More than a year and half before 911 the CIA Special Activities Division was conducting operations in Afghanistan, trying to topple the Taliban regime for the TAPI project, Caspian Sea Oil & Gas Pipelines...........We now call such activities terror.

[samsel3]

Take what we want, let them kill each other.
Posted by aothah at 05:15 PM : Oct 01, 2008

Reuters uk January 18, 2008 : " Iran has some awesome colleagues. Russia and China have become guardians of the Iranian economy. They don t put religion between business and political advantages. The US is sorely lacking in intelligent Foreign Policy. Hitler s Foreign Policy has been resurrected to serve the needs of an oil agenda and turn the US into the most disrespected and despised world power ".

Moscow -- Armed forces will be used if necessary, including preventively and with the use of nuclear weapons, for protection of Russia and its allies, the Russian Armed Forces Chief of the General Staff Yuri Baluyevsky said on Saturday.

"We do not intend to attack anybody. But all our partners must realize that for protection of Russia and its allies if necessary armed forces will be used, including preventively, including with the use of nuclear weapons," Baluyevsky was quoted by the Itar-Tass news agency as saying.

Baluyevsky reportedly made the statement at a scientific conference of the Academy of Military Sciences January 19, 2008.

[livewire190]

$10 billion a month (A MONTH!!!!!!) in Afganistan and Iraq and FATCATS on Wall street may get $700 billion to get bailed out. Who ever supports this Lame a$$ Buss Administration is a true brain farrt, PERIOD! I dont trust Bush. I really think the REAL reason he is pushing soooooooo hard for this bailout bill to pass is because he has money invested in something that would proberly Quadruple when it passes. Thats Bush/Cheany for ya! Why do you think we are in Iraq? Oil.

[iphyt4u]

General says, we''re only $700 billion and a couple first round draft choices away from turning this thing around.

[samsel3]

The US is backing the TAPI pipeline and other basin projects for oil & gas to prevent Asian countries from using Iranian sources. The broader aspects of US and Canadian interests eliminating the Taliban in Afghanistan is to circumvent Russian-Iranian gas & oil deals. The US led energy consortium is trying to secure their interests in Asian markets.

The American people will not benefit by dumping trillions of dollars into this money pit.
This country is in enough debt. Big Oil & Gas and allied industry fat cats are the only ones to profit at the peoples expense.

[samsel3]

Karzai is protecting a US led consortium for the TAPI Caspian Sea Pipeline which will supply Southeast Asian markets. Additionaly, 1.6 billion barrels of oil,in the Afghan-Tajik Basin, and 15.7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, in the Amu Darya Basin will be exploited.
The Taliban reneged on an agreement with Big Oil & Gas before the invasion holding out for a larger share of pipeline tariffs for their people. The US decided a regime change was a better choice.

Mullah Omar said: "There are thousands of security forces ... and it is clear that they are criminal, thieves, and the people can not trust the security forces at all,"
February 12, 1998 John J. Maresca vp of UNOCAL oil appeared before a House sub committee. The purpose of the meeting was to gain support for exploitation of oil & natural gas resources, for the rights purchased by BIG OIL in the Caspian Sea area.

The exploitation option stated : "One obvious route south would cross Iran, but this is foreclosed by American companies because of U.S. sanctions (with Iran ) . The only other possible route is across Afghanistan,.....". A consortium of oil & gas companies have taken over where UNOCAL left off.

On 24 April 2008, Pakistan, India and Afghanistan led by a US Oil & Gas consortium signed an agreement to buy natural gas from Turkmenistan. Asian Development Bank money is one of the financial sources with possible re-entry of the World Bank.

[chadb19]

Wow patsy...you guys are so brain washed. Im really amazed how you can contiunue to support this administration...truly amazed!!

[samsel3]

putting Country First.

Posted by patsy_owens at 02:59 PM : Oct 01, 2008

The war in Afghanistan has nothing to do with putting country first. The administrations energy policies put us there.

[chadb19]

Waste of money, time, troops and resources. We will never win in Afganistan. Thanks again Bush....just add this failure to your list and you stupid Republicans just keep on supporting him!!!!

[hermitdave]

GOSH General, you might just ask yourself what on earth you and the American crusaders are doing over there. Are you there to make sure the oil pipe line gets built? Are you there because the evil Tali-Band tried to close down the drug lords? Surely you don''t believe the BUSH LIE that some SAUDI dude planned 9/11 in some cave over there, so we had to kill and maim a bunch of heathen Muslims in the name of Jesus.

[samsel3]

Anybody who thinks otherwise...just doesn t get it

Posted by guadalcanal3 at 01:41 PM : Oct 01, 2008

The US was in Afghanistan for regime change more than a year and a half before 911. This is another banana war no conspiracies involved. Educate yourself instead of supporting failed economic and failed energy strategies ............

[sebastian27-2009]

Afganistan is not a country any more that Iraq is. It is a region dominated by tribes and religious sects. How can you have a country without a strong central government. Sadaam may have been a dictator, but he managed to dominate the tribes by force. Now that he is gone there is no government to take his place, and won''t be in the near future, if ever. Bush and Company should have studied history and geography when they were in school and maybe we wouldn''t be in this mess.

[antoniof123]

Thank you GOP another failed mission. We should have finished what we started.

Now you want more forget it.