Afghanistan still a threat to the war on terror: Wolfowitz

One of the Pentagon’s top officials said here that Afghanistan was still posing a threat to the international fight against terrorism, with powerbrokers in the provinces a major problem. “Afghanistan remains an ongoing threat to the war on terror. Although there has been progress, challenges still remain,” US Deputy Defence Secretary Paul Wolfowitz told the Asian Security Conference. Wolfowitz highlighted those who filled the power vacuum following the US-led military campaign that deposed the Taliban regime in October, 2001, as one of the biggest causes for concern. “The war ended with many local power brokers in control of provincial and local governments,” Wolfowitz said. “Few of them have risen to the challenge of serving their people rather than their own interests.” The United States launched its campaign to rid Afghanistan of the Taliban because the hardline Islamic regime provided a safe haven for Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda terrorist network. Full Story