Taliban revival concerns Hinchey
Afghanistan and Pakistan need more Islamic forces as well as additional European military might to calm the dangerous situation there, Rep. Maurice Hinchey said yesterday.
Hinchey, D-Hurley, spoke in a conference call from Washington, D.C., with reporters about his trip to the region last week.
He went with five other members of Congress.
"The Taliban are back in Afghanistan in significant numbers," Hinchey said. Yet some areas, such as Kabul, are stronger and more secure than any time since the Oct. 7, 2001, U.S. invasion, he said.
Conditions in parts of Pakistan are equally worrisome, Hinchey said, particularly the northwest sector that the Taliban and al-Qaida use as a sanctuary.
Hinchey said more competent Islamic forces are needed as well. But, equally important, the residents in sensitive regions need to see their lives improve to where they do not turn to radicalism, Hinchey said.
Yesterday, in Bucharest, Romania, as president Bush sat down for a summit with NATO leaders, the president expressed confidence that members of the alliance will bolster forces in Afghanistan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.