WAR: Afghan Operation to Protect Elections Begins, page 1

A new effort is underway in Afghanistan to protect Afghani elections from being derailed by militants. Lt. Gen. David Barno, the head of operations in Afghanistan, told the Associated Press the operation will not interfere with the ongoing search for Osama Bin Laden and other top Taliban leaders. Named Operation Lightning Resolve, Barno is optimistic about ther operation's motives, and it's success within the war-torn country.

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He said the operation contains enough "offensive punch" to keep militants off balance and could see an increase in targeted, intelligence-driven raids. He gave no specifics

The world body has registered more than 7 million voters for the Oct. 9 election, seen by many war-weary Afghans as well as the United States as vital to Afghanistan's recovery.

Six election workers are among about 600 people killed in violence this year, victims of feuding warlords, as well as rebels and soldiers - a mix that raises fears the vote will be neither fair nor free.

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The operation itself seems to be working as well as anything can in that country, and with that number of troops. The question of course, is, why would 2,000 Marines be leaving the country with this operation beginning and Bin Laden still on the run, unless, of course, we know where he is, and his "capture" is being held-off for a more opportunistic time politically.

Either way, the fact that our forces are doing some really good humanitarian work in Afghanistan is wonderful.

[edit on 14-7-2004 by Banshee]