by MURRAY BREWSTER
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - Canadian efforts to pacify a swath of parched farmland west of Kandahar city have received a boost from a powerful tribal leader and former warlord. Mullah Naqib, a grey-bearded former mujahedeen commander widely respected since he fought the Soviet occupation in the 1980s, told The Canadian
Press in an interview that he's urging young, unemployed Afghan men in the Panjwaii and Zahri districts to resist insurgent recruiters who are expected to come knocking again this spring.
"I suggest for them to not to join Taliban," he said.
"I don't think that the youngsters of Panjwaii and Sperwan will join Taliban," he added confidently. "I think they will live their lives." For more on this story click here.
This is a great story. I hope we hear more and more like it in the next year. As I was reading I realized that word of mouth and testimony is playing a part in this war. The contrast between the conduct of our troops and that of the terrorist thugs has to be making an impression on the people. Other than a few incidents, our troops have conducted themselves in an exemplary fashion with care, decency, respect and discipline as they go about the difficult tasks they are given. Any decent person would feel blessed to be defended and protected by such as these. It adds up to respect, something that reflects well on our nation.
Now if we could just get liberals to notice and respond in like fashion.........oh well..........