Should U.S. declare war on Afghanistans Taliban?
Oct. 16, 2001 By Helen Humphrey, Lariat columnist While I completely am appalled, shocked and upset about the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 and the subsequent threats on the United States, I do not believe it is prudent, appropriate or just to declare war on Afghanistan. I understand that the Taliban, Afghanistan’s ruling government, has been uncooperative in complying with U.S. demands for the surrender of Osama bin Laden and the other members of the al-Qaida terrorist network. However, the people in Afghanistan who are threatening the United States or impeding its progress on the war on terrorism and the search for bin Laden and al-Qaida members are only factions, perhaps rather large groups, but groups nonetheless–not entire countries. As I understand the situation in Afghanistan, many people are persecuted and unhappy with the Taliban regime. Almost four million Afghans are refugees in neighboring countries, 20,000 of whom have left the country since Sept. 11. A formal declaration
