Abdou, thank you for taking part in this discussion. I am aware of the intense jockeying around the Caspian oil and you are right that Afghanistan is an important component in the overall calculations of getting the prospected oil and gas to market. It is reasonable to say that an Afghanistan amenable to western influence serves the interests of nations whose companies are players in this enterprise including the U.S. It must also be said that there are competing consortia including the Turkish, Iranian and Russian backed plans all trying their hardest to get a cut of this caspian bounty. It is the twentyfirst century version of the great game in which powerful countries jostle for advantage and influence. As a result your statement of an economic motive is not without merit, but you should note that Pakistan which was the principal mentor and backer of the Taliban was equally lobbying Washington on their behalf for recognition which would then facilitate the routing of any pipeline through Afghanistan. The Taliban also wanted the pipeline even as they struggled to extend their rule in the whole of their country.I believe if the Taliban had not been tied to terrorism, Washington might find a way to deal with them if they turn out to be the best route to take the caspian energy to market. The war however came as a direct result of the terror campaign and the regime change viz-aviz the Taliban may turn out to be an advantage for Ameraica by making Afghanistan a more plusable contender with a freindly regime. I don't think wanting to route energy alone or in large part would prompted them to go to war . Karamba <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>