Taliban support on rise in Afghanistan

Taliban support on rise in Afghanistan: "SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1104AP_Afghan_Taliban_Support.html

Monday, November 6, 2006 · Last updated 11:42 a.m. PT

Taliban support on rise in Afghanistan

By JASON STRAZIUSO
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
photo
Afghan patients sleep near a private heathcare center in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- For Ata Mohammad, who lost 19 members of his family during a fight between NATO and Taliban militants, the choices ahead are bleak.

He has no particular wish to join the Taliban. He could support NATO and President Hamid Karzai's government, but feels betrayed by the violence in the Panjwayi district he lives in. His other options include becoming a refugee in Pakistan or Iran.

Many in Kandahar say their confidence in the government is falling, and some say that is helping fuel support for the Taliban.

'Should we join the Taliban? Should we join the government? We don't know,' Mohammad said. 'The Taliban, they are causing problems for us, but the government is causing problems for us too.'

'We can hardly feed our family bread. We are struggling for our life,' he said. 'And with the Taliban and the government and NATO"