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Afghanistan : Going backwards

The Washington Post reports:

"Afghan President Hamid Karzai declared Wednesday that his government can "no longer accept" civilian casualties caused by U.S.-led operations, shortly before news spread that as many as 51 civilians may have died during clashes this week in far western Afghanistan.

Civilian deaths are "becoming a heavy burden and we are not happy about it," Karzai told reporters here.

His remarks came two days after rioting broke out following a protracted battle in western Herat province, where police said as many as 30 residents had been killed during three days of fighting between U.S.-led forces and Taliban insurgents. Several government buildings were stormed by demonstrators, some of whom were wounded by police in the incidents."

It is hardly surprising that the President has come out with his statement, for all indications are that the Taliban is back with a vengeance. Meanwhile, Australia has committed more military to the strife-torn country. All the hallmarks are that Afghanistan is falling apart. Whatever the Americans thought they might achieve in going into Afghanistan appears to be coming to nought.

truthout has 3 interesting pieces [from Le Monde and Liberation] in relation to Afghanistan - NATO and the Taliban, on Afghan women and their plight and how the Taliban is back - worth reading here.

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