NATO Chief: Afghans May Switch Sides To Taliban

Afghanistan is going through its worst bout of violence since a U.S.-led invasion removed the former Taliban regime from power five years ago. The Taliban has made a comeback in the south and east of the country and is seriously threatening western attempts to stabilize the country after almost three decades of war. "If we collectively . . . do not exploit this winter to start achieving concrete and visible improvement," then some 70 per cent of Afghans could switch sides, Richards said. Richards will command NATO's troops in Afghanistan, including 12,000 U.S. forces, until February, when U.S. Gen. Dan McNeil is to take command. http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/10/08/asia/AS_GEN_Afghan_Tipping_Point.php

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