“We are killing the New Zealanders because they are helping the Americans. They have come to kill and arrest our people.”
“We will find them and kill them, there’s no safety for them,” Those were the words of Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, as stated to a Herald on Sunday correspondent. “Yes we knew our target was New Zealand forces, because they are with our enemy and the others who came to our country with guns and weapons. We are killing the New Zealanders because they are helping the Americans. They have come to kill and arrest our people.”
It really couldn’t be said much clearer than that. Regardless of what New Zealand soldiers are doing in Afghanistan they are seen by the Taliban, and likely by other Afghans as well, as part of an occupying force. ” but we do not have any other enmity towards the people of New Zealand,” Muhahid stated “The families of those killed should tell the Government of New Zealand not to send soldiers to kill Afghans, because this fight does not belong to New Zealand. This is an American fight and they have persuaded other countries to become involved.”
“The families of those killed should tell their Government to stop fighting, otherwise we will send more bodies of soldiers back to New Zealand.”
The Taliban is a reactionary force- just recently members of the Taliban beheaded 17 people at a party for mixed gender dancing. Their strategy of killing New Zealanders in an effort to turn public opinion here in favour of withdrawing troops could backfire, solidifying opposition to the Taliban among New Zealanders, which could mean support for the occupation. The Taliban’s treatment of women in particular is often trumpeted as a justification for Western intervention. Seldom mentioned is that women’s organisations in Afghanistan, such as RAWA, oppose both the Taliban and the NATO occupation.
The family of at least one of the deceased soldiers, Lance Corporal Rory Malone, believe that its time to bring the troops home. Ani Lhamo, who raised the 26-year-old, told Fairfax news that the losses were ”too great” and there was no shame in withdrawing New Zealand soldiers from Afghanistan to prevent more deaths.
John Key has said the latest three deaths had not affected the timetable for withdrawal, a view echoed by defence Minister Jonathan Coleman. New Zealand soldiers are likely to remain in Afghanistan for another eight months, that is at least, the ones who don’t come home in coffins
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the afgan army has been infiltrated by the Taliban , but one of the main reasons is they see which way the wind is blowing , they know the coalitionist forces will leave which leaves them as a target in a army which wont last 6 months alone , the answer – get back in the tailbans good books by murdering american , NZ or Australian troops and running off , making them instant heroes
unwinnable war !!!!!, was from the start , it makes you wonder when most of the 9-11 attackers were Saudis why they invaded Afghanistan ???
“”Seldom mentioned is that women’s organisations in Afghanistan, such as RAWA, oppose both the Taliban and the NATO occupation.””
but they don’t advertise it or they would be shot dead the next day , woman have as much power or say in Afghanistan as Eskimos and Icelanders do in new Zealand
If women have no power in Afghanistan, perhaps the US and NZ can bomb hell out of it, invade, and occupy for more than a decade. Oh wait . . .
The Taliban have denied the beheading – although there is every chance that the right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing.
yes get out so the Pushtu backed taliban can get back to wiping out those infidel hazaras. nothing is simple. We went in looking for a trade deal but I think the people in the area assigned to us may prefer we stay. Again nothing is simple.