Tags : military operations bill, Taliban Fighters
U.S. To Pay Taliban Fighters For Allegiance
Washington, D.C. (AHN) – President Obama on Wednesday signed a $680 billion defense appropriations bill to cover military operations through 2010. Inside the bill are funds that can be used to pay Taliban members who renounce insurgency.
Specifically, the Commander’s Emergency Response Program is intended for humanitarian relief and reconstruction projects at commanders’ discretion. According to government officials, the program is similar to one that was used to neutralize the insurgency against Americans in Iraq
Afghan leaders and U.S. Military officials believe that local Taliban fighters are motivated largely by the need for a job and not ideology or religious fervor. Their loyalty to local Taliban leaders is largely fueled by paycheck so to speak.
Analysts believe that the same loyalty can be bought if the U.S. pays them with promise of no penalty for previous activity against the military operations in the region. However, critics say the allegiance being bought is only a very temporary one and are cautious of the stability of a foundation that is purchased.
The signing of the bill comes at a time of an increase in violence over the last few months that claimed the lives of several American troops. This week alone, on Tuesday eight soldiers were killed in a well-coordinated attack in Southern Afghanistan.
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