Kabul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Barack Obama's announcement that troop will begin to withdraw from Afghanistan in July 2011, encourages and supports the morale of the Taliban, according to Gen. James Conway, chief of the Marine Corps, who yesterday said that the south of Afghanistan will need to be manned for many years to come.
The general revealed that Taliban phone conversations had been intercepted, many like this: "'Hey, we only have to hold out for so long." For the U.S. president, however, respecting the deadline set for early withdrawal, will force Afghan leaders to take responsibility for security in the country.
Instead for Gen. Conway withdrawal from Afghanistan should be delayed: "I feel that the country is growing tired of war, but we can either lose fast or win slow. We need to do a better job of explaining the mission to Americans and the importance of preventing Al-Qaeda from regaining a foothold”.
The White House plans to revise the strategy for Afghanistan in December, while Republicans are criticizing the lack of resolve of the American president and the Democrats.