US 'won't repeat Afghanistan mistake' (Rice)

[sabra]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,17992757-23109,00.html

US 'won't repeat Afghanistan mistake'

THE US vowed today to avoid its past mistake of neglecting Afghanistan, during high-level US-Afghan talks on the eve of an international donors conference for the central Asian country.

"We made the mistake once before of leaving (neglecting) Afghanistan," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during a press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Not only did Afghans pay the price of such a policy but also Americans who were attacked by the Afghanistan-based al-Qaeda terror network on September 11, 2001, she said.

"We're not going to make that mistake again", said Ms Rice, standing beside Mr Karzai.

The US and Afghan governments are determined to rid Afghanistan of "terrorism" and illegal drug production while promoting peaceful development with the help of a strong army and police, the top US diplomat said.

[Botany]

1. does condi have a "way back machine?'

So we can go back in time and kill bin Laden @ Tora Bora?

[SharonAnn]

16. We already have ignored Afghanistan. She doesn't know that?

Criminently. We were only there long enough to stage for Iraq.

The Taliban control most of the country.

Women must be veiled in most parts of the country.

Girls are being kept from schools in most parts of the country.

Teachers of girls are being killed outside Kabul.

[EFerrari]

18. Maybe she means, "We have installed an oil company man

and that should be that." :shrug:

[cliss]

2. There's just ONE slight problem I'd like to point out

to CondaLiar Rice: We don't have the money. Take a look at Iraq: this country has been on Center Stage for the past 3 years. How's it looking over there?

About 2 weeks ago, Bush decided "not to seek funds for reconstruction of Iraq". Why? Because he considered it too expensive. We've destroyed 2 countries. We're not going to fix one.

We're not going to fix the other one, either.

[EuroObserver]

4. Seems Brits and Canadians have to do the job

(and pay for it, while letting the you-know-who traffik the drugs) now. Insane. :bounce:

[Senator Obama]

24. Do you have a problem...

with doing your fair share?

Obama

[louis-t]

9. And they can't find half of the money they appropriated so far.

Over and out.

[gratuitous]

12. Maybe she could get her friends at Chevron to pony up

After all, the oil companies seemed to do all right last year. How about them covering some of the expenses for all the fighting, killing, and dying the American people are doing on their behalf?

[ismnotwasm]

3. "Rid Afghanistan of illegal drug production"

I don't think so.
I wish the best for Afghanistan, a country too long abused and manipulated. I hope things work out, but with these corrupt and inept people in power it's highly unlikely.

My daughter spend a year over there. One of her favorite stories is going out on maneuvers and somehow ending up in a marijuana field. I remember thinking; Thank God it wasn't poppies.

edit for spelling and stuff

[applegrove]

5. That is all you do - Neglect. Mistake? MY ASS!

[arcane1]

6. neglect = not installing a UNOCAL president soon enough

:puke:

[tanyev]

7. You already did make that mistake again, Condi.

Afghanistan got dropped like a hot potato once we went in to Iraq.

[Jade Fox]

8. Gee a lot of people wouldn't have made that mistake the first time...

You know, people like competent leaders!

[daleo]

10. Liars say one thing and do the opposite

So, they plan to spend no money on reconstruction.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

11. Until another admin comes in.

Otherwise it's perfect. :eyes:

[K-W]

13. Mistake my ass. EOM

[chicofaraby]

14. The problem isn't "neglect"

The problem is US hegemony in the first place..

[aden_nak]

15. Isn't that the "Iraq Mistake" of leaving early to invade a non-threat?

[rodeodance]

17. ashington has been Afghanistan's biggest donor - with nearly $US5 billion

The US government meanwhile is expected to announce a major financial contribution for the next fiscal year during the conference of representatives from 70 countries and organizations.

Washington has been Afghanistan's biggest donor - with nearly $US5 billion - since leading the war that toppled the Taliban four years ago but it now wants others to carry more of the "burden", US and European officials said.

During a visit yesterday to Denmark, Mr Karzai said Afghanistan will need international aid for five years, ten years or even longer if it is to bolster its security and rebuild its institutions.

Mr Karzai also called for more money to be put directly into the hands of the Afghan government, despite reluctance from donors amid charges of widespread corruption and incompetence.

[Amonester]

19. Where is that prick from? The PNAC?

"Mr Karzai also called for more money to be put directly into the hands of the Afghan government, despite reluctance from donors amid charges of widespread corruption and incompetence."

DUH...

[Demeter]

20. ....Because We Know a Million Ways to Fuck Up

Somebody please turn out the light at the end of this tunnel?

[laylah]

21. and all the other ones? n/t

[savemefromdumbya]

22. Ms Rice why is Afghanistan producing more illegal drugs

[Auntie Bush]

23. A sign of intelligence is the ability to learn from ones experience!

Sorry Condi...You took too long. You promised the Afghans before you went in that you'd already learned that lesson and would stay and protect and rebuild Afghanistan. You didn't! So that makes you pretty stupid. Now the Rethugs think all will be forgiven and bush's poll numbers will go up if they admit they made mistakes. But it's too late.

[madmark]

25. Afghanistan has been neglected since the beginning of 2002