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US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary ...

(AFP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:58:31 GMT

(AFP) - US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Afghan National Army soldiers search a compound in Lakari in Helmand Province. Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan eight years on, politicians and experts on Saturday decried calls for setting an exit date they say would embolden the Taliban.(AFP/Manpreet Romana)

A US Marine of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary ...

(AFP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:58:31 GMT

(AFP) - A US Marine of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade chats with an Afghan child as they search a compound in Lakari in Helmand Province. Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan eight years on, politicians and experts on Saturday decried calls for setting an exit date they say would embolden the Taliban.(AFP/Manpreet Romana)

Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:58:31 GMT

(AFP/File) - Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan eight years on, politicians and experts decried calls for setting an exit date they say would embolden the Taliban. "History shows us that if you set dates for when you're going to leave, the enemy waits until you leave," US Senator John McCain said at the Halifax International Defense Forum in easternmost Canada.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary ...

(AFP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:58:31 GMT

(AFP) - US Marines of 2nd Battalion 2 Marines of 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade walk back to their base after a patrol with soldiers of Afghan National Army in Lakari in Helmand Province. Despite fierce public pressure to end the war in Afghanistan eight years on, politicians and experts on Saturday decried calls for setting an exit date they say would embolden the Taliban.(AFP/Manpreet Romana)

Pallbearers Dan Guill, right, and John Nozemack embrace following ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:16:28 GMT

(AP) - Pallbearers Dan Guill, right, and John Nozemack embrace following a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen for Army Reservist Spc. Christopher James Coffland on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Baltimore. According to the Department of Defense, Coffland, 43, died Nov. 13, 2009, in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Pallbearers carry the casket containing the body of Army Reservist ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:15:01 GMT

(AP) - Pallbearers carry the casket containing the body of Army Reservist Spc. Christopher James Coffland out of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen following a funeral Mass Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Baltimore. According to the Department of Defense, Coffland, 43, died Nov. 13, 2009, in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Lynn Coffland, right, is comforted by her parents Toni, left, ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:10:08 GMT

(AP) - Lynn Coffland, right, is comforted by her parents Toni, left, and Dave, before the start of a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen for her brother Army Reservist Spc. Christopher James Coffland, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009 in Baltimore. According to the Department of Defense, Coffland, 43, died Nov. 13, 2009 in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Members of the US Army stand next the hearse containing the ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:09:07 GMT

(AP) - Members of the US Army stand next the hearse containing the body of Army Reservist Spc. Christopher James Coffland following a funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in Baltimore. According to the Department of Defense, Coffland, 43, died Nov. 13, 2009 in a roadside bombing in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

FILE -This Nov. 6, 2009 file photo shows the casket containing ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:52:29 GMT

(AP) - FILE -This Nov. 6, 2009 file photo shows the casket containing the body of Marine Capt. Kyle Van De Giesen being carried out of the St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in North Attleborough, Mass. Van De Giesen died Oct. 26 in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Lisa Poole, File)

U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., right, answers a question ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:31:41 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., right, answers a question at a press availability after a session on Afghanistan at the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday Nov. 21, 2009. Rick Hillier, left, former chief of Canada's defence staff, listens. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Andrew Vaughan)

U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., answers a question on Afghanistan ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:30:14 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., answers a question on Afghanistan at the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Andrew Vaughan)

U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., answers a question at a press ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:29:28 GMT

(AP) - U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., answers a question at a press availability after a session on Afghanistan at the Halifax International Security Forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Andrew Vaughan)

Two children hold on to their father's hand, as they take a ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:38:10 GMT

(AP) - Two children hold on to their father's hand, as they take a joy ride in a rented toy car at a park in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Former Taliban fighters gather at a police station after surrendering ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:09:47 GMT

(AP) - Former Taliban fighters gather at a police station after surrendering to US and Italian soldiers just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in western Herat, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Karzai on Thursday in his inaugural speech said he would welcome and help anyone who agreed to stop fighting and return to their homes. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

Afghan police sort through weapons surrendered by around 80 ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:08:23 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police sort through weapons surrendered by around 80 former Taliban fighters just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in western Herat, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Karzai on Thursday in his inaugural speech said he would welcome and help anyone who agreed to stop fighting and return to their homes. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

Afghan police and Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:43:58 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police and Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Armed Afghan police surrround the Serena Hotel in central Kabul ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:43:32 GMT

(AFP/File) - Armed Afghan police surrround the Serena Hotel in central Kabul on October 28 following a rocket attack. A new rocket attack near the hotel has wounded four people, including at least one member of the Afghan security forces, a spokesman for Afghanistan's health ministry said.(AFP/File/Romeo Gacad)

Afghan security forces are seen at the site of a blast near ...

(AFP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:43:32 GMT

(AFP) - Afghan security forces are seen at the site of a blast near the Serena Hotel in Kabul. A rocket attack near the luxury hotel has injured four people, including two members of the Afghan security forces, a spokesman for Afghanistan's health ministry said.(AFP/Massoud Hossaini)

Afghan policemen are seen at the site of a rocket attack in ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:36:56 GMT

(Reuters) - Afghan policemen are seen at the site of a rocket attack in Kabul November 21, 2009. A rocket hit the outside wall of the luxury Serena hotel in the Afghan capital on Saturday wounding one Afghan soldier on the street outside, another soldier at the scene told Reuters. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT POLITICS)

Afghan policemen are seen at the site of a rocket attack in ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:35:48 GMT

An Afghan policeman keeps watch at the site of a rocket attack ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:34:43 GMT

(Reuters) - An Afghan policeman keeps watch at the site of a rocket attack in Kabul November 21, 2009. A rocket hit the outside wall of the luxury Serena hotel in the Afghan capital on Saturday wounding one Afghan soldier on the street outside, another soldier at the scene told Reuters. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT POLITICS)

Afghan police and Army soldiers gather to secure the scene where ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:25:39 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police and Army soldiers gather to secure the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.(AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Afghan Army soldiers gather to secure the scene where a rocket ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:24:51 GMT

(AP) - Afghan Army soldiers gather to secure the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people where injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Afghan police and Army soldiers gather in the shadows as they ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:22:10 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police and Army soldiers gather in the shadows as they secure the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.(AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Afghan police and Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:22:00 GMT

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:20:30 GMT

(AFP/File) - Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November 18. A rocket attack near the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul has wounded four people, including at least one member of the Afghan security forces, a spokesman for Afghanistan's health ministry said.(AFP/File/Shah Marai)

Afghan Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket hit outside ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:06:55 GMT

(AP) - Afghan Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

U.S. troops attend a ceremony in Kabul November 21, 2009. The ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:54:51 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. troops attend a ceremony in Kabul November 21, 2009. The U.S. training mission for the Afghan army and police was merged with the new NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) under a single NATO command. The new training mission will be headed by Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell and will aim to consolidate efforts on building an effective security force, a vital precondition for the withdrawal of foreign troops. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Afghan police and Army soldiers rush to the scene where a rocket ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:53:26 GMT

Afghan police rush to the scene where a rocket hit outside ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:46:36 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police rush to the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

An Afghan police officer rushes to the scene where a rocket ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:40:51 GMT

(AP) - An Afghan police officer rushes to the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

An Italian soldier stands near weapons surrendered by around ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:28:56 GMT

(AP) - An Italian soldier stands near weapons surrendered by around 80 former Taliban fighters just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in western Herat , Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Karzai on Thursday in his inaugural speech said he would welcome and help anyone who agreed to stop fighting and return to their homes. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

An Afghan police officer, left, takes a weapon from a former ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:27:55 GMT

(AP) - An Afghan police officer, left, takes a weapon from a former Taliban fighter, second right, just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in Herat, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Around 80 former Taliban abandoned their weapons Saturday in western Herat. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

Former Taliban fighters are seen at an amnesty ceremony with ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:25:52 GMT

(AP) - Former Taliban fighters are seen at an amnesty ceremony with Afghan police, Italian and U.S. troops after surrendering their weapons just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in western Herat, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Karzai on Thursday in his inaugural speech said he would welcome and help anyone who agreed to stop fighting and return to their homes. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

Afghan police officers sort through weapons surrendered by around ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:25:02 GMT

(AP) - Afghan police officers sort through weapons surrendered by around 80 former Taliban fighters just two days after President Hamid Karzai asked his fellow countrymen to embrace the government and lay down their arms in western Herat, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. Karzai on Thursday in his inaugural speech said he would welcome and help anyone who agreed to stop fighting and return to their homes. (AP Photo/Fraidoon Pooyaa)

A child waits to sell chewing gum at a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:53:46 GMT

(AP) - A child waits to sell chewing gum at a street in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

A man drives away a child begging outside a snooker shop in ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:52:35 GMT

(AP) - A man drives away a child begging outside a snooker shop in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

Shopkeepers at a carpet shop wait for customers in Kabul, Afghanistan, ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:52:06 GMT

(AP) - Shopkeepers at a carpet shop wait for customers in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. (AP Photo/Mustafa Quraishi)

REFILE - ADDING TITLE AND FULL NAME OF CALDWELL U.S. General ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:18:10 GMT

(Reuters) - REFILE - ADDING TITLE AND FULL NAME OF CALDWELL U.S. General Stanley McChrystal, head of NATO troops in Afghanistan, arrives at a ceremony in Kabul November 21 ,2009. The U.S. training mission for the Afghan army and police was merged with the new NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) under a single NATO command. The new training mission will be headed by Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell and will aim to consolidate efforts on building an effective security force, a vital precondition for the withdrawal of foreign troops. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY)

U.S. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell speaks during a ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:11:42 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell speaks during a ceremony in Kabul November 21, 2009. The U.S. training mission for the Afghan army and police was merged with the new NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) under a single NATO command. The new training mission will be headed by Caldwell and will aim to consolidate efforts on building an effective security force, a vital precondition for the withdrawal of foreign troops. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY)

U.S. General Stanley McChrystal (L), head of NATO troops in ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:00:57 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. General Stanley McChrystal (L), head of NATO troops in Afghanistan, Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell (C) and Major General Richard P. Formica attend a ceremony in Kabul November 21, 2009. The U.S. training mission for the Afghan army and police was merged with the new NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) under a single NATO command. The new training mission will be headed by Caldwell and will aim to consolidate efforts on building an effective security force, a vital precondition for the withdrawal of foreign troops. REUTERS/ Omar Sobhani (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY)

This Nov. 3, 2009 photo shows Afghan contractor Khalid Khan, ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:46:58 GMT

(AP) - This Nov. 3, 2009 photo shows Afghan contractor Khalid Khan, 30, in his living room during an interview in Kabul, Afghanistan. Once on the front lines of the international effort to rebuild Afghanistan, the black-bearded road construction contractor now sits idle, cross-legged and quiet on the floor of the small hilltop home he moved into after he had to sell his own. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

This Nov. 3, 2009 photo shows Afghan contractor Khalid Khan, ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:46:19 GMT

(AP) - This Nov. 3, 2009 photo shows Afghan contractor Khalid Khan, 30, during an interview in Kabul, Afghanistan. Once on the front lines of the international effort to rebuild Afghanistan, the black-bearded road construction contractor now sits idle, cross-legged and quiet on the floor of the small hilltop home he moved into after he had to sell his own. (AP Photo/Farzana Wahidy)

U.S. soldiers belonging to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:21:00 GMT

(AP) - U.S. soldiers belonging to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team arrive at the Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar province, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. The 173rd will be replacing the 10th Mountain Division which is due to end it's deployment in Afghanistan by the end of the year. (AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

Soldiers belonging to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team ...

(AP) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:18:10 GMT

(AP) - Soldiers belonging to the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team arrive at the FOB Shank, Logar province, Afghanistan Saturday Nov. 21, 2009. The 173rd will be replacing the 10th Mountain Division which is due to end it's deployment in Afghanistan by the end of the year.(AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills)

Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November ...

(AFP/File) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:03:12 GMT

(AFP/File) - Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers keep watch in Kabul on November 18. Police have said thtat Afghan and foreign troops killed 23 Taliban militants in separate operations a day after the president pledged to take responsibility for security in his new five-year term.(AFP/File/Shah Marai)

An Afghan boy and his monkey watch a U.S. Army soldier of 3/509 ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:39:47 GMT

(Reuters) - An Afghan boy and his monkey watch a U.S. Army soldier of 3/509 infantry B-company of Task Force Geronimo on patrol in Paktika province November 21, 2009. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos (AFGHANISTAN ANIMALS MILITARY POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

U.S. Army soldiers of 3/509 Task Force Geronimo attend a council ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:37:41 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. Army soldiers of 3/509 Task Force Geronimo attend a council meeting with village elders during a patrol in Paktika province November 21, 2009. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY POLITICS)

Afghan children watch U.S. Army soldiers of 3/509 infantry B-company ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:36:39 GMT

(Reuters) - Afghan children watch U.S. Army soldiers of 3/509 infantry B-company of Task Force Geronimo on patrol in Paktika province November 21, 2009. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos (AFGHANISTAN)

An Afghan boy watches a U.S. Army soldier of 3/509 infantry ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 09:36:34 GMT

(Reuters) - An Afghan boy watches a U.S. Army soldier of 3/509 infantry B-company of Task Force Geronimo on patrol in Paktika province November 21, 2009. REUTERS/Bruno Domingos (AFGHANISTAN MILITARY POLITICS)