Taliban leader renounces rebels, thanks Canadians

[Wonk]

KANDAHAR -- Rolled out in a wheelchair and surrounded by heavily-armed coalition soldiers, a visibly ill Mullah Mohammed Ibrahim shares his decision to support the Afghan government.

"I want all Afghans to abandon hostilities," he says, "and to unite for peace."

To have a senior Taliban commander lay down his arms is a major public relations coup for coalition forces, especially coming a day after insurgents killed 10 civilian contractors on their way to work at the Kandahar Airfield base.

(snip)

It was Canadian medics who ultimately nursed Ibrahim back to health.

But it was a visit with Canada's battlegroup commander, Lt. Col. Ian Hope, that convinced him to lay down his arms.

more...

[Kagemusha]

1. We'll see if it lasts but, diplomacy isn't done only with a gun

Canadians have a reputation for trying the other way too.

[Posteritatis]

9. Yemen's actually done some neat stuff too

I read something about a year back where they'd challenge militants to a debate on the Islamic principles behind their war on the west (or whoever else), versus a theologian on the government's "side" in the whole thing. If the theologian convinced them of the error of their ways, they were paroled (not freed, specifically paroled); if not, then they were tried normally.

It's managed to turn a bunch of people so far, apparently mostly legitimately. Honey and vinegar, y'know.

[ThsMchneKilsFascists]

2. Further on in the article.....

"Mullah Ibrahim was not a normal Taliban," says Asadullah Khalid, Kandahar's governor, "He was a planner for all suicide and IED (bomb) attacks."

It's a claim Ibrahim himself denies. The Taliban fighter says he last fought against American forces in 2001, and has lived some time in Pakistan.

Ibrahim goes further to say he was on his way to turn himself in, and seek amnesty through the repatriation program, when he was caught.

When arrested, Ibrahim was already extremely ill, suffering from a severe liver disease.

So he lived 'some time' in Pakistan.
Musharraf's not quite the ally in the war on a feeling that boy George claims he is.

[daleo]

3. One legged mullah, caught on a motorcycle

"Ibrahim's reputation as the "one-legged mullah" fighter is renowned. When caught riding on a motorcycle by Afghan authorities on May 19, he was already being sought after for orchestrating a spate of suicide and roadside bomb attacks on coalition convoys."

There is something vaguely familiar about this.

[AndyTiedye]

4. I'd Think It Would Be Difficult For a 1-Legged Man to Ride a Motorcycle

[Mika]

5. Especially with a dialysis machine on the back.

:eyes:

[daleo]

6. Especially if it was his right leg that was gone

That's usually where the kickstart and gear shift is located, at least that's my distant memory of how a motorcycle is usually set up.

I suppose it would be difficult to maintain one's position on the seat, as well. But that might depend on how much of the leg is missing.

[AndyTiedye]

7. Then There's Puttng a Foot Down When You Stop. Ooops, No Foot!

[daleo]

8. Lol, I forgot that one. n/t

[retread]

10. Any one-legged man rides a motorcycle much better than chimpy

rides a bicycle or a Segway.

[Bucky]

11. I wonder if this one legged mullah will end up marrying Paul McCartney

He's got a weakness, you know.