Growing Concern Over Afghan Violence

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
CNN
June 26, 2008 The Situation Room (CNN), 5:00 PM
WOLF BLITZER: There's growing concern over the worsening war in Afghanistan right now and the role Pakistan may be playing. Let's get details that are breaking right now. Our correspondent, Barbara Starr, is at the Pentagon -- Barbara, what is the situation?
BARBARA STARR: Well, I have to tell you, Wolf, this is the subject in the hallways of the Pentagon these days -- the violence in Afghanistan, the worsening security situation.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) STARR: Afghanistan is accusing the Pakistani government of this attempted assassination last April of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Pakistan denies it was behind the failed attack.
MOHAMMED SADIQ, PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: These allegations suggest that responsible members in the Afghan government perhaps wish to reignite the blame game. Pakistan rejects these baseless and irresponsible allegations.
STARR: Washington is convinced Pakistan is failing miserably to crack down on militants, now freely crossing the border into Afghanistan to conduct attacks against U.S. troops.
DEFENSE SECRETARY ROBERT GATES: The ability of the Taliban and other insurgents to cross that border and not being under any pressure from the Pakistani side of the border is clearly a concern.
STARR: Attacks are growing more sophisticated. This video was said to be the aftermath of an IED that hit a U.S. convoy, leaving three troops dead. The video could not be independently verified by the Associated Press, who distributed the tape. But U.S. officials say the attack underscores escalating security concerns.
GATES: It actually was not bad until a few months ago. This is a fairly recent phenomenon of seeing the numbers come across the border.
STARR: A senior U.S. defense official tells CNN, in the last three months, hundreds of Pakistani fighters have entered southern Afghanistan to attack the coalition. Men sent by Baitullah Mehsud, the Pakistani Taliban leader said to be responsible for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. (END VIDEOTAPE)
STARR: And to the west, in the once quiet Farah province, after seven U.S. troops were killed in the last three weeks, the Marines are now considering sending in reinforcements -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right. We'll watch this story. It's got serious impact on what's going on in that part of the world. Barbara Starr is at the Pentagon.
 
Back
Top