Taliban attack in east Afghanistan unlikely

[unhappycamper]

Taliban attack in east Afghanistan unlikely
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jan 23, 2008 16:47:11 EST

WASHINGTON — The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan is unlikely to stage a spring offensive in the volatile eastern region bordering Pakistan, the commander of U.S. forces in that area said Wednesday.

Army Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez told a Pentagon press conference that Taliban and al-Qaida fighters operating from havens in the largely ungoverned tribal areas of western Pakistan appear to have shifted their focus toward targets inside Pakistan rather than across the border in Afghanistan.

“I don’t think there’ll be a big spring offensive this year,” Rodriguez said.

That is partly due to disillusionment with the Taliban movement among ordinary Afghans, he said, and partly because the Taliban and al-Qaida fighters see new opportunities to accelerate instability inside Pakistan. He also said Afghan security forces are becoming more effective partners with U.S. forces.

The Taliban has generally staged stepped-up offensives each spring, when the weather is more favorable for ground movement, although an anticipated offensive last spring did not materialize.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_talibanoffensive_080123/