Afghanistan Investigating Iran Link to High-Powered Taliban Bombs (VOA)

[Eugene]

Source: VOA News

Afghanistan Investigating Iran Link to High-Powered Taliban Bombs
By Al Pessin
Pentagon
18 October 2007

Afghanistan's defense minister says his government is
gathering evidence on the source of sophisticated weapons
found in the hands of Taleban fighters. But unlike the
top American commander in Afghanistan, the minister is
not ready to say the material comes from Iran. VOA's
Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

The Afghan Defense Minister, Abdul Rahim Wardak, says
in a meeting with him about a month ago Iranian officials
denied allegations they are sending high-powered explosives
to insurgents in Afghanistan. But the minister says such
material is making its way into Afghanistan, and the Afghan
intelligence agency is seeking evidence about where it is
coming from.

-snip-

But also on Thursday, the NATO commander in Afghanistan,
U.S. General Dan McNeil, said a shipment of high-powered
bomb material intercepted early last month did come from
Iran. And the general said he can not imagine such a
shipment could be made without "at least the knowledge
of the Iranian military."

U.S. officials have made similar charges regarding
sophisticated explosives flowing to insurgents in Iraq.
But the newly appointed top U.S. military officer, Admiral
Mike Mullen, says the issue should be dealt with through
diplomatic channels.

"There is a significant amount of activity right now to
try to influence them diplomatically," said Admiral Mullen.
"I'm not one to take options off the table, and wouldn't
do that. However, I really do consider that military
option one of the last resort."

-snip-

Read more: http://voanews.com/english/2007-10-18-voa69.cfm

[MethuenProgressive]

1. I see Mullen agrees with Sen. Clinton.

U.S. officials have made similar charges regarding
sophisticated explosives flowing to insurgents in Iraq.
But the newly appointed top U.S. military officer, Admiral
Mike Mullen, says the issue should be dealt with through
diplomatic channels.
"There is a significant amount of activity right now to
try to influence them diplomatically," said Admiral Mullen.
"I'm not one to take options off the table, and wouldn't
do that. However, I really do consider that military
option one of the last resort."

Thanks for the link.