US facing Soviet-style defeat in Afghanistan: Hekmatyar

"Gary Leupp: Meet Mr. Blowback, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar" http://www.counterpunch.org/leupp02142003.html

Afghanistan: Kabul Confirms New Effort To Buy Back U.S.-Built Stinger Missiles
By Ron Synovitz



Authorities in Kabul have announced a new effort to collect U.S.-made Stinger antiaircraft missiles left over from Afghanistan's war against Soviet occupation. The U.S. government provided the shoulder-fired heat-seeking missiles to Islamist fighters battling Soviet troops in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Now, Afghan officials say they are concerned the portable missiles could end up in the hands of terrorists or in other countries.


Prague, 31 January 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Afghan intelligence officials yesterday announced their new effort to collect the U.S.-made antiaircraft Stinger missiles.

In late 2001, Pentagon officials acknowledged that some of the 2,000 missiles sent to Afghan fighters during the 1980s might have fallen into the hands of Taliban or Al-Qaeda fighters.
No U.S. aircraft has been downed by a Stinger missile in Afghanistan. But pilots of low-flying U.S. aircraft have reported seeing surface-to-air missiles fired at them -- particular near the southern city of Kandahar. It remains unclear whether those were Stinger missiles or Soviet-built SAM-7 missiles link

If the U.S. had not ventured into Iraq but concentrated in building Afghanistan and not allowing the Taliban to re-emerge, Bush would have had a hero and America 's image would not be so tarnished.