On 9 Aug 2002 at 16:52, rhinoceros wrote:
>
> [rhinoceros 1]
> This sounds technically correct, but it reminds of similar reports
> from the time when USSR was there for several years, hence the "deja
> vu" title.
>
> [Joe Dees 2]
> The Soviets remained to oppress. If we, instead, remain to help, I
> believe that our reception will be much better than theirs.
>
> [rhinoceros 3]
> I can assume that permanent military presence, establishing a friendly
> government in Kabul accepted by several warlords, and keeping it safe
> from hostile warlords, Islamists and bandits using military means are
> considered ok. So, which actions of the Soviets consisted oppression,
> so that they can be avoided by the USA?
>
We are not in the business of forbidding Islam in the country and
replacing it with a godless communist puppet run from afar. The
eventual government envisioned by the Loya Jirga and Hamid Karzai is
still Islamic, but it is to be a representative government, with popularly
elected delegates. And also, just because we do not repeat the mistake
we made of turning our backs upon Afghanistan after the Soviet
withdrawal, it does not mean that we intend to establish a permanent
and controlling military presence there. Once our objectives
(elimination of the Taliban and Al Quaeda as viable forces in
Afghanistan) is met, as soon as the government itself tells us that we
are no longer needed to stabilize and support it, I am quite sure we will
be more than willing to leave.
> ----
> This message was posted by rhinoceros to the Virus 2002 board on
> Church of Virus BBS.
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> id=26011>
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