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Musharraf opposes plan for Afghan pullout
PORTLAND: The former president of Pakistan criticized U.S. plans to begin pulling troops out of Afghanistan in just over a year.
At a stop on his speaking tour, Pervez Musharraf praised President Barack Obama for committing 30,000 more troops to fighting the Taliban. But the former leader was sharply opposed to Obama's plan to begin withdrawing forces in July 2011, saying U.S. soldiers should fight until the Taliban is defeated.
``We are there because we understand how critical it is to the region, to the world,'' Musharraf said. ``We must win.''
The recent arrests of key Taliban leaders in Pakistan are positive signs but not a major blow to Taliban forces, Musharraf said.
``The Taliban is spread over the Afghan countryside,'' he said. ``I get the feeling here that people think it's a monolith. The Taliban is not a monolith. A person who is the second-most important man. He's not a great impact on the Taliban.''
Musharraf said he would return to Pakistan if its people wanted him and if he could help the country.
Courtesy www.Geo.tv