Taliban rebels get stern warning from NATO | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Taliban rebels get stern warning from NATO

None | ByPress Trust of India, Ottawa
Jun 16, 2006 03:20 PM IST

NATO Secretary General De Hoop Scheffer issued his warning on the same day a bus bomb in Kandahar killed 10 civilians.

NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said, an upsurge in Taliban attacks in Afghanistan was aimed at "testing" Western public opinion and warned the alliance would take tough action against anyone trying to derail Afghan reconstruction.

HT Image
HT Image

De Hoop Scheffer, on a visit to Ottawa, issued his warning on the same day a bus bomb in Kandahar killed 10 civilians and injured 16 and amid the biggest offensive by US-led forces in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban militia in late 2001.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The NATO secretary general, whose organization in late July will take over security operations in the south of the country from the coalition forces, reaffirmed the mission's aim was to prevent Afghanistan from reverting to a state exporter of terrorism.

"The Taliban are simply testing Canadian public opinion, Dutch public opinion, UK public opinion, Australian public opinion," he said at a joint news conference with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay.

But he added that NATO would know how to deal with those who want to stop the process of reconstruction in the war-torn country.

"The message to the spoilers -- be it Taliban, be it drug lords or warlords, whatever -- will be a very stern and strong message: 'You will not get it your way. You will be dealt with very robustly if necessary,'" he said.

NATO intends to work toward the reconstruction of Afghanistan, he said, but first a secure and stable situation must be created.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On