Washington: The NATO forces in Afghanistan have launched a determined operation against the Taliban, but are encountering "some level of resistance," and declaring victory is still a distant prospect, a top US official has said.
"I don't think anyone's declaring victory at this point," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs PJ Crowley, told reporters at his daily press briefing.
"You're seeing a very determined, patient operation in Afghanistan. But clearly, we're encountering some level of resistance," he said.
He said the US was encouraged that the Pune bomb attack had not derailed the talks between India and Pakistan whose Foreign Secretaries are scheduled to meet on February 25.
A "determined action" is also seen on the Pakistani side of the border, where too the US-led alliance is adapting assistance programmes for average citizens.
"I think we are also encouraged that notwithstanding the tragic attack in India, that this is not derailing important dialogue between Pakistan and India.”
"So I think this indicates that we have momentum on our side... but I don't think we're at the point where we can declare victory," Crowley said.
It will be incumbent to expand the zone of security to various parts of Afghanistan and demonstrate that the government and its associates can deliver better services for the citizens than the Taliban, Crowley said.
The State Department official said in countries such as Afghanistan there is single-digit support for al Qaeda and the Taliban, expressly because these people want a chance to practice religion in all of its forums, have a pluralistic kind of society.
"So I think, broadly speaking, in Muslim communities around the world, you see a rejection of that rigid image and vision of Islam," he said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, February 19, 2010, 14:46