Pakistan's leader says world losing Afghan war

[unhappycamper]

By PAISLEY DODDS
Associated Press Writer
Aug 3, 7:06 PM EDT

LONDON (AP) -- The U.S.-led coalition's battle against the Taliban has already been lost because of its failure to win over the Afghan people, Pakistan's president warned Tuesday before tough talks this week with Prime Minister David Cameron, who has accused the country of exporting terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari told the French daily Le Monde online that the coalition had "underestimated the situation on the ground and was not conscious of the scale of the problem" against the Taliban largely because "we have lost the battle to conquer the heart and soul" of the Afghan people. Long-term help - not just military reinforcements - was needed.

"To win the support of the Afghan population, we must bring them economic development and show that we cannot only change their lives, but above all improve them," Zardari was quoted as saying.

Zardari is set to meet with Cameron on Friday. The talks have been overshadowed by Cameron's remarks last week that Pakistan had looked two ways in dealing with terrorists.

The visit of Zardari, the widower of Benazir Bhutto, comes amid growing concern that some elements in Pakistan's intelligence service and military have been sympathetic to militants - a claim supported in Wikileaks, the self-described online whistle-blower that recently posted leaked U.S. military documents alleging Pakistan's unwillingness to sever its historical ties to the Taliban.

[KharmaTrain]

1. Zadari Is Playing Us All...

The untold ugly story of these wars are how Pakistan has played both ends against the middle...the military getting billions in our tax money to be our "friends" while the ISI turns around and funds the Taliban. The longer they keep that war on the other side of their border the longer the money gravy train keeps rolling and Pakistan avoids the inevitable civil war in that country.

[Wilms]

2. Civilian Casualties