Taliban warning to Obama

[Saddle Bronc 124]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7711068.stm

Taleban warn Obama on troop plans

Taleban militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan have given a lukewarm response to the election of Barack Obama as the new US president.

"There is neither joy nor sorrow among our ranks by the election of Barack Obama," Afghan Taleban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi told the BBC.

He also urged Mr Obama not to send more American troops to Afghanistan.

During a visit to Afghanistan in July, Mr Obama said the country should be the main focus of the "war on terror".

Mr Obama had vowed to send more troops to Afghanistan during his election campaign.

"If Mr Obama follows through on his election pledges, we will not be pleased with his election," Mr Ahmadi told the BBC Urdu Service.

"The question is not about a change in the face of the American president, but a change in American policy."

The spokesman was also asked if the Taleban would be willing to hold talks with the new US administration.

"Talks can only be held on the condition that all American and coalition forces are withdrawn from Afghanistan," he said.

'Armed struggle to continue'

The Pakistani Taleban told Mr Obama not to follow the policies of President Bush.

"Till the time American forces leave Afghanistan and Iraq, and till the US pressure on the Pakistan government is maintained, the change in America's leadership will be a meaningless thing," Muslim Khan, a Taleban spokesman, told the BBC.

"If President-elect Barack Obama continues the previous policies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the implementation of Islamic law in Pakistan is prevented, then our armed struggle against America will continue."

Now, THAT sounds rather ominous--as Obama is likely to follow "standard US policy" (of simply recognising the existing leader diplomatically) on Pakistan.

[maya62 7]

... and so utterly predictable.

Did you expect otherwise?

[himher 634]

One would think that if the BBC could find these guys for interviews then Bush and his Merry Men could certainly find them too.....Perhaps the BBC doesnt keep their heads in their arses

[alienlovechild 75]

No problem Obama has a plan for Afghanistan which he developed while he was there playing basketball. He'll change the warlike inclinations of the Taliban by charming them and promising them free tickets to the Washington parties celebrating his victory. What could go wrong? It's not like Pakistan's government is unstable or having nukes. Iran's no big threat so why worry. The U.S. troops will leave Iraq and everyone will love Obama and America again. Happy days are here again.

Edited November 5, 2008 by alienlovechild

[spookyturtle 9,466]

We certainley don't want to offend the Taliban.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

We certainley don't want to offend the Taliban.

heavens no!

[HAL 9000 96]

We certainley don't want to offend the Taliban.

heavens no!

Wasn't a problem not too long before 9-11 when we had them over for trade talks.

[almaty 19]

We certainley don't want to offend the Taliban.

heavens no!

Wasn't a problem not too long before 9-11 when we had them over for trade talks.

and supplied them with $$$$$$$$ and weapons..oh wait, they were freedom fighthers then..

[SaadBell 0]

Remember the Bushes have ties to the Bin Ladens, nobody said anything about that little friendship.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

Remember the Bushes have ties to the Bin Ladens, nobody said anything about that little friendship.

one bad bin laden does not spoil the whole bunch.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Remember the Bushes have ties to the Bin Ladens, nobody said anything about that little friendship.

one bad bin laden does not spoil the whole bunch.

Wasn't that a Jackson Five song?

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

It's true that the real war is to be waged on the Afghanistan Pakistan boarder yet. The war in Iraq is an unfortunate consequence. Leaving now will cause the most bloody civil war they have ever seen. We tried to establish democracy in this region to the best of our ability. However a fraction of the population choose to boycott the election. The reason behind that may be a fatwa/foolish. If that is the case then it is left to the ignorance of their leaders for not accepting the liberties being offered them and the inclusion of them. They withheld in stubborn ignorance and a blood thirst for power. What is to come is solely up to them. They are on the Western model of revolution so mark my words. If the current democracy that has been established is not solid enough to withstand the withdrawal with the current President elect then a bloody civil war will erupt in Iraq the likes of which the world has never seen and a more coercive Dictator than Saddam will capture their nation.

This is no longer up to us, but the consequences we may have to deal with. I wonder if Obama us up to it?

Edited November 6, 2008 by Olivia*

[Teacher Mark 53]

Someone is going to become an example. It might as well be them.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

One would think that if the BBC could find these guys for interviews then Bush and his Merry Men could certainly find them too.....Perhaps the BBC doesnt keep their heads in their arses

A little more complex than that.

• BBC has regular correspondents (such as Ilyas Khan) and guest-columnists (Ahmed Rashid) in Sub-continent, who are easy for Taliban's intermediate contacts to find
• BBC is associated with a now-spent power rather than the US

A concession to your point though--it would seem absurdly simple for US intel officials to simply contact BBC correspondents and ask them (but that may be hitting it on the nail--it's simply too simple for them to understand)

[Sprailenes 47]

We certainley don't want to offend the Taliban.

heavens no!

Wasn't a problem not too long before 9-11 when we had them over for trade talks.

and supplied them with $$$$$$$$ and weapons..oh wait, they were freedom fighthers then..

HAHA so true.