Tribal elders oppose US-led plans to attack Kandahar

I've summarized below the highlights from an article by Gareth Porter that appears on several online sites today, including the site of the Inter Press News Service at: http://www.ipsnews/print.asp?idnews=51059. The title of Porter's article is "McChystal backtracks on Troop Veto By Kandahar Shura."

Porter reports that there is ambiguity in the discussions over the planned US-led attacks on Kandahar and surrouding areas. The central issue is whether the allied forces need the consent of local shura, or a consultative body of 1,000 or more elders, to move ahead with the military offensive. On one side, President Karzai wants the shura to have the final word. The elders have made it clear that they don't want the US-led forces to attack Kandahar or nearby areas. On the other side, spokesmen for General McChrystal indicated they will follow through on the planned attacks. At the same time, Porter writes, "McChrystal must now worry about how the Kandahar campaign can succeed in the face of opposition from local leaders and President Karzai."