Afghan DM: Nation in fight for its survival

[unhappycamper]

Afghan DM: Nation in fight for its survival
By Barry Schweid - The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday Feb 26, 2009 18:41:58 EST

WASHINGTON — Afghanistan’s defense minister said Thursday “we are fighting for our survival” against the Taliban but the tide is turning in the government’s favor.

Even with troops from the United States and NATO allies, the outcome depends on the Afghan army, Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said.

“Achieving our goals in the coming years will not be quick or easy,” Wardak said at a news conference held by the Center for a New American Security, a private research group.

President Barack Obama announced last week he had decided to send 17,000 more soldiers and Marines to Afghanistan, adding to the 38,000 fighting a strengthening insurgency. Many of the U.S. troops now operate in Taliban strongholds in the dangerous south.

A total of 654 U.S. personnel have died since the U.S.-led offensive that ousted Afghanistan’s Taliban regime in late 2001.

Wardak and other senior officials from Afghanistan and Pakistan are in Washington, participating in a review of U.S. policy in the area. He declined to provide any information about the review.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/ap_afghanistan_dm_022609/%2e