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Afghans’ support for Taliban grows

KABUL: Afghans are increasingly critical of U.S. military efforts in their country, while support for the Taliban is on the rise in the violence-plagued southwest, according to poll results released on Monday.

The survey — conducted for ABC News, the BBC and the German public TV station ARD — noted that Afghans overwhelmingly prefer the government of President Hamid Karzai to the Taliban, but they also believe that the government should negotiate with the Taliban to end the war. In southwestern Afghanistan, support for NATO-led forces has plummeted to 45 per cent this year, from 83 per cent a year ago.

“Civilian casualties blamed on these forces is a prime complaint,” the survey said. This year has been the most violent yet since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001, and insurgency-related violence has killed nearly 6,200 persons — a record number, according to an AP tally of figures from Afghan and Western officials.

More than 800 civilians have died in insurgency attacks and military operations, causing a decline in support for foreign troops and the government of Mr. Karzai.

Poll-takers conducted 1,377 face-to-face interviews with Afghans in all of the country’s 34 provinces. They found that 42 per cent of Afghans rate U.S. efforts in Afghan positively, down from 68 per cent in 2005. Just over half of Afghans still have confidence in the ability of U.S. and NATO forces to provide security. — AP

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