Poll: Afghans more critical of US efforts

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Afghans are increasingly critical of US military efforts in their country, while support for the Taliban is on the rise in the violence-plagued southwest, according to poll results released Monday. The survey - conducted for ABC News, the BBC and the German public TV station ARD - noted that Afghans overwhelmingly prefer the government of President Hamid Karzai to the Taliban, but they also believe that government should negotiate with the Taliban to end the war. In southwestern Afghanistan, support for NATO-led forces has plummeted to 45 percent this year, from 83 percent a year ago, it found. "Civilian casualties blamed on these forces is a prime complaint," the survey said.