[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?
[Joe Dees 4]
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.
[rhinoceros 5]
I see. So, it was not about Islam after all. And I guess the vision for a representative government with popularly elected delegates will also respect the tribal traditions.
By the way. Was "godless" used as a synonym to the more usual "atheist", or is there some subtle difference.
---- This message was posted by rhinoceros to the Virus 2002 board on Church of Virus BBS. <http://virus.lucifer.com/bbs/index.php?board=51;action=display;threadid=26011>
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