WE ARE LOSING TO TALIBAN: ZARDARI

REPOST. Originally posted within The Mikiverse, August 4, 2010.

Paris August 4, 2010

COALITION forces ''are losing the war against the Taliban'' in Afghanistan, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said yesterday.

''The international community, to which Pakistan belongs, is losing the war against the Taliban.

''This is above all because we have lost the battle to win hearts and minds,'' he said, in comments published in French by Le Monde on Tuesday.

Mr Zardari said the US and NATO-led forces had ''underestimated the situation'' in Afghanistan, Pakistan's war-torn western neighbour.

His comments came after military documents leaked to the media pointed to alleged support by Pakistani officials for the Taliban. He has insisted that Pakistan is committed to fighting militants in the region.

Since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan drove them from power in 2003, the Taliban have waged a fierce fight against international forces.

''I think they have no chance of regaining power, but their grip is strengthening,'' Mr Zardari said of the Islamist movement.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron angered Mr Zardari by saying last week that Pakistan must not ''look both ways'' in secretly promoting violent extremism while pretending to seek regional stability.

Mr Zardari vowed to tackle the allegations head-on when he meets Mr Cameron on Friday.

''I will explain, face-to-face, that it is my country that is paying the highest price in human life for this war.''

Mr Zardari was due to head to London after two days of meetings with French leaders.

■At home, some questioned the need for Mr Zardari's trip. ''Two young girls in my immediate neighbourhood drowned in the flood waters,'' said Sher Khan, 40. ''Zardari should visit the flood-hit areas and take steps for welfare of the stranded people instead of taking joy rides to France and UK.''

AFP

http://www.theage.com.au/world/we-are-losing-to-taliban-zardari-20100804-115nw.html