Bush to visit Afghanistan despite Taliban attacks

[cal04]

The US president, George Bush, is planning a visit to Afghanistan this weekend, his first to the country since the US-led invasion in 2001. Security round the president will be tighter than usual because the remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaida fighters are still able to mount attacks.

The White House is refusing to confirm that Mr Bush will go to Afghanistan after a visit to India and Pakistan that begins tomorrow. Mr Bush has declared Afghanistan to be a triumph over terrorism but there has been a resurgence of the Taliban over the last 18 months, especially in the south. US forces are pulling out of parts of the south and handing over to British troops this spring.

Marvin Weinbaum, a former state department analyst for Pakistan and Afghanistan, speaking at a briefing organised by the Brookings Institution, a foreign affairs thinktank, said Mr Bush had no alternative but to go to Afghanistan. "He's in the neighbourhood. Laura Bush went. Can he not go if Laura Bush took the chance and was more exposed actually - not much more, but more exposed than the president will certainly be?"

Thousands of snipers, commandos and US marines are expected to be discreetly deployed for the American leader's maiden first visit to the subcontinent. Mr Bush's visit comes six years after his predecessor Bill Clinton's successful five-day stay. But while the former president charmed New Delhi, he left without a major announcement. In contrast Mr Bush will go to New Delhi offering a number of deals covering space technology, agriculture and biotechnology.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,,1719580,00.html

[in_cog_ni_to]

1. Ooooh...he's so strong and brave!

:eyes: Disgusting piece of shit.

[caligirl]

2. The smell of money brings it out in him.

[rwheeler31]

6. How much is this trip going to cost us?

nt

[FormerRepublican]

3. Time for an in-person meeting with bin Laden to plan the next 9/11....

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. "I'm visitin'."

[CHIMO]

5. If He's Meeting

Foreign heads of state then better keep those fighter jets away.

God. Softwood in Afghanistan.

[Up2Late]

7. Well, He didn't say he's going, but he'd be a COWARD if he doesn't go...

...at least that's basically what Marvin Weinbaum, a former state department analyst for Pakistan and Afghanistan basically said at The Brookings Institute.

"...He's in the neighbourhood. Laura Bush went. Can he not go if Laura Bush took the chance and was more exposed actually - not much more, but more exposed than the president will certainly be...?"

Hey Bush! If you DON'T go, You're a Coward!