U.S. Warns of 'Spectacular' Taliban Acts

Reuters ^ | 10-07-03

[Brian S]

Tue October 7, 2003 06:32 AM ET By David Brunnstrom

KABUL (Reuters) - On the second anniversary of its intervention in Afghanistan, the United States said there were signs Taliban guerrillas planned more spectacular attacks and urged Pakistan to do more to curb Islamic militants.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and ambassador designate to Kabul, told a news conference on Tuesday the fight against "terrorists" in Afghanistan was a long-term struggle.

Khalilzad said he welcomed a recent border operation by Pakistan against the Taliban and al Qaeda, but added it must do more to stop cross-border attacks by Islamic guerrillas.

"I think that's really critical," he said. "Pakistan cannot become a sanctuary for Taliban and al Qaeda people who want to attack Afghanistan," he said.

"There has to be a decrease, and at best an end, to cross-border attacks by the Taliban and al Qaeda and people from Pakistan. I welcome the recent actions by the Pakistani government, but we would like to see more. In fact, a lot more."

Khalilzad said there had been a surge in Taliban activity in recent weeks, but there were signs that the response by U.S.-led forces had been effective. However he added:

"I think that in desperation they may try, there are indications they may try, to do something to get a lot of attention...There are indications that they are planning even larger attacks, more spectacular attacks perhaps."

Khalilzad declined to elaborate on the indications to which he referred.

He spoke on the second anniversary of the start of U.S. bombing of Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, that toppled the Taliban later that year.

The lead up to the anniversary has been the bloodiest period since the overthrow of the Islamic militia, with more than 300 people killed since the start of August, including aid workers, U.S. soldiers, government officials, troops and many rebels.

The violence has come as the United States struggles with resistance in Iraq and after its forces in Afghanistan have failed to net either al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden or Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

The United States is leading a 11,500-strong foreign military force pursuing Taliban and al Qaeda remnants in Afghanistan.

Afghan and U.S. officials complain their task is greatly hampered by the ability of the insurgents to slip back and forth across the Pakistani border.

Pakistan said a big operation Thursday in semi-autonomous tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, in which it said it killed eight Taliban and al Qaeda suspects and arrested 18 more, was proof of its commitment to the U.S.-led war on terror.

[mathluv]

W and his administration have always said there would be more attacks. All the prevention in the world cannot stop another one.

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[excalibur1701]

Bring 'em on!!!!

[11B3]

Carpet bomb the tribal areas with MOABs. Problem solved.

[harryK]

How many times have we heard that? "The sky is falling...The sky is falling." Remarked chick little, I don't believe we will see another attack on the level of 9/11 in our life time. The price was just to high for the terrorist and they know it. A millions pairs of eyes are watching the ports of entry and satellites scan the globe. The CIA has warehouses filled floor to ceiling with photos of every countries military bases and every terrorist training camps known. They can't hide anymore and the cross-hair is squarely on them. Take a breath and stop scaring people. What good does to make such public announcements?