Al Jazeera reports negotiations are underway between tribal elders and NATO officials for withdrawal of NATO forces from the troubled Panjwai district of Kandahar province. It was in Panjwai where, just two months ago, Canadian general David Fraser claimed a great victory over the Taliban and yet where fighting has continued ever since.
A Canadian pullout from Panjwai would follow similar withdrawals by British forces in neighbouring Helmand province. NATO says no such negotiations are underway but the Afghan government doesn't sound convinced. Advisor Jan Mohammed says:
"Leaving that district to Taliban means changing that district to a Taliban stronghold, to a Taliban centre," he said.
"Step by step the Taliban will go to other districts and demand the same thing and will keep demanding the same thing. That is the Taliban’s main goal…to get foreign forces out."
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