Taliban Leader Threatens Suicide Attacks

[NVMojo]

December 26, 2005

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - A top Taliban commander said more than 200 rebel fighters were willing to become suicide attackers against U.S. forces and their allies - a claim dismissed as propaganda Monday by Afghanistan's government, which said the hardline militia was weakening.

In an interview late Sunday with The Associated Press, the commander, Mullah Dadullah, ruled out any reconciliation with the U.S.-backed government of President Hamid Karzai and claimed the country's new parliament - its first in more than 30 years, inaugurated last week - was "obedient to America."

Dadullah spoke to AP via satellite phone from an undisclosed location. He said he was inside Afghanistan.

"More than 200 Taliban have registered themselves for suicide attacks with us which shows that a Muslim can even sacrifice his life for the well-being of his faith. Our suicide attackers will continue jihad (holy war) until Americans and all of their Muslim and non-Muslim allies are pulled out of the country," he said.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-asia/2005/dec/26/122607839.html

[NVMojo]

1. And on the same day in Kandahar: Rumfeld visits Bagram, Kandahar

what timing, eh? And note the story below is a PRESS RELEASE!!

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld spent the morning today with troops from Combined Joint Task Force-76, awarding medals to aviators for valor in combat and to answer service members’ questions during a “town hall” meeting.

(PressZoom) - Roughly 600 CJTF-76 troops attended the meeting, which began with Rumsfeld expressing his gratitude for their service in Afghanistan.

“I wanted to tell each of you personally that the American people are proud of what you’re doing and grateful to you and your families,” he said.

Then, Rumsfeld pinned the Distinguished Flying Cross on three Army aviators for heroic actions during an April 11 battle with enemy forces in southeastern Afghanistan. Chief Warrant Officer Steven Burr, Sgt. John Irick and Sgt. Ryan Pummill were part of a UH-60 Black Hawk credited for fighting off an enemy attack with their aircraft, which helped a U.S. Special Forces team on the ground below.

more...

http://presszoom.com/story_113545.html

[powwowdancer]

2. I wonder...

why is it that these "leaders" never actually volunteer for suicide missions themselves? Don't they want that hot bevvy of post-mortem virgins and the sweet spot next to Allah? Where's the courage of their convictions? .02 worth.

:dem:
powwowdancer out

[pitohui]

3. blah blah blah blah blah

talk is cheap

"registering" to boast & brag in yr fantasy life that one day, pie in the sky, if you ever get off your fat rear end, you'll carry out an attack is way different from actually being arsed to actually do it

i don't want to challenge the guy but i'm not impressed by people "registering" to say some empty words, it is just trying to look good in front of the neighbors

[darkism]

4. Taliban? I thought we took care of those guys like five years ago.

Oh, of course. They came back - because, to borrow a term from President Kerry, we "took our eyes off the ball" and got distracted by this quagmire in Iraq.

Bah!