Another Outrage

The Pak Tribune reports that American forces in Afghanistan have distributed leaflets threatening to withhold humanitarian aid if people did not cooperate against the Taliban:

"The leaflets were distributed by US forces in Zabul province, which borders Pakistan and where the Taliban have regained control of several districts.

One of the leaflets, showing an Afghan carrying a bag of provisions, reads: 'In order to continue the humanitarian aid, pass over any information related to Taliban, al-Qaida or Gulbuddin organisations to the coalition forces.' The latter reference is to the renegade warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who is believed to have allied himself with the Taliban."

The leaflets have now been withdrawn, as American government officials blame local commanders.