On January 19, 2010, the Taliban in Afghanistan issued a statement claiming that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who heads the U.S. and international troops in Afghanistan, has had no impact on the activities of the the Taliban fighters in the country.
Referring to numerous Taliban attacks across Afghanistan, including the suicide bombing at the CIA base in Khost province, the statement claimed that the Taliban campaign against U.S. and NATO troops in the country was increasing by the day. It also accused Gen. McChrystal of launching a campaign of brutality against the Afghans.
The statement, titled ''McChrystal on the Path of Defeat at the Hands of the Lions,'' was issued by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban's shadow government, the day after the Taliban launched multiple attacks on several key buildings around the presidential palace in Kabul.
Following is the text of the statement:
''The U.S. Has a Secret, Wicked and Long-Term Program Up Its Sleeve to Kidnap and Assassinate Prominent Political and Military Personalities in Afghanistan... [McChrystal's] Presence... Has Had No Impact on the Activities of the Mujahideen''
''The White House nominated its most callous general, General Stanley McChrystal, to command the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, ironically after the failure of General David McKiernan and Karl Eikenberry [now U.S. Ambassador] in Afghanistan.
''Apparently, rulers of the White House announced that the shift at leadership level was aimed at speeding up reconstruction work and ending civilian casualties which are frequently caused by the U.S.'s blind bombardments.
