re: photos of peace rally sydneyy With regards to the Taliban and the UN;
In 1979 Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to stabilise government after a succession of coups between anti and pro communist Afghan elements. The anti communist (muslim) elements were then supported by the US, China and Saudi Arabia channelling from Pakistan, and from Iran. After the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989 and the removal of the Soviet backed government by the mujahadeen in 1992 lawlewssness and factional infighting prevailed. Some of the accounts of public torture defy comprehension. In 1993 the factions finally agree on a government. The United Nations played a major role in arranging the final cease-fire, supervising removal of mines, and organizing relief efforts. However, infighting continued and in 1996 the Taliban seize control of Kabul and continue to fight to gain control of much of Afghanistan. In 1999 the UN brokered a peace agreement between the Taliban and their remaining foe the Northern Alliance. This agreement was broken months later so the UN placed an air embargo and freezes Taliban assets in an attempt to have them hand over Bin Laden for trial (for bombings in Africa). Early in 2001 the UN adds an arms embargo against the Taliban. After 9/11 the rest is history.
Back in 1842 the British learned the hard way; after successfully beating and occupying Afghanistan they were in retreat to India where almost the entire contingent of 4,500 were slaughtered.
