U.S. will give free weapons
to Afghan civilians
David Edwards and Stephen C. Webster
Published: Saturday December 27, 2008
http://rawstory.com/news/2008/CNN_U.S._to_arm_Afghan_civilians_1226.html
One way to quell a violent and deteriorating situation,
according to the U.S. military, is to flood the place with
guns.
That's exactly what is planned for Afghanistan, where a rising tide of chaos is slowly pushing the
country past Iraq as the most dangerous battlefield Americans tread
upon.
"The U.S. military plans to help the Afghanistan government
recruit, train and arm local Afghans to fight a resurgent Taliban,"
reported CNN's Barbara Starr.
"For the United States, the most sensitive part of the proposal
will be the use of American military funds to purchase small arms,
most likely AK-47 rifles, that will be given to local Afghans,
according to a U.S. military official."
"There are worries," Starr continued, "putting even more weapons in
the hands of local communities could lead to tribes fighting each
other instead of the Taliban. U.S. troops could get caught in the
middle." The plan would also hinge upon the weak Afghan government
to maintain the loyalties of the newly armed populace.
The last time the U.S. poured weapons into Afghanistan was during
the administration of Ronald Reagen, who opted to back the
Mujahadeen against occupying Soviet Union forces. The CIA spent billions arming the Afghans through the
Pakistani and Saudi intelligence services, finally resulting in
driving the Soviets out.
Ultimately, the wealth of destructive force and financial heft
given to the Afghans concentrated around two groups: Osama bin
Laden's al-Qaeda, and the Taliban.
This 'new' strategy will be presented for President-elect Obama's
consideration, Starr said.