Yes because the UN are reliable. Completly in compliance with the rising and widespread support the Taliban are getting, for "killing" innocents.
[INDENT]KABUL: The Taliban’s reclusive leader Mullah Umar said in a Muslim holiday message on Friday that his fighters must protect Afghan civilians, who are dying in rising numbers, so the insurgency can maintain good relations with the population.
Mullah Muhammad Umar posted his message on the Taliban’s website ahead of next week’s Eidul Azha, or Feast of Sacrifice, when Muslims around the world slaughter sheep and cattle in remembrance of Prophet Ibrahim’s (AS) near-sacrifice of his son.
In a midyear report, the UN said 1,462 Afghan civilians were killed in the crossfire between Taliban insurgents and Afghan, US and NATO forces during the first half of this year — up 15 percent from the same period a year earlier.
The UN report attributed 80 percent of the civilian deaths to insurgents and others fighting against the Afghan government. International troops and other pro-government forces were to blame for 14 percent of the deaths; six percent were not attributed to any side.
Omar said civilian casualties must be extensively investigated.
“If it is irrefutably proven that the blood of innocent Muslims is spilled by the negligence of mujahedeen, then a penalty should be implemented in accordance with Shariah (Islamic law) and all steps should be taken to seek the pardon” of those affected by the killings, he said.
Omar said civilians also need to take steps to keep themselves safe.
“The common folk should avoid moving in close proximity to Americans that patrol in villages and countryside because they are being targeted by the insurgents,” he said.
The message, which the Taliban posted in English and other languages, was reported by the US-based SITE Intel Group, which tracks militant websites.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2011\11\05\stor y_5-11-2011_pg7_5[/INDENT]
If you actually done some background check, that book is far more commendable than anything you've heard on Taliban.
It's actually from someone who went to meet the Taliban face to face, not base their crap on what will be make good propoganda news headlines.
If you're going to be ignorant then don't bother quoting me.
Also might want to read this, although I don't agree with everything it says, it's a western source that re-iliterates parts of the above -
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB100014240529702038065045771770 74111336352.html?m[video="youtube;mWJimJ4Gy7k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWJimJ4Gy7k&feature=player_embedded[/video]
[video="youtube;FVFQu4_sJxI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVFQu4_sJxI[/video]
Most of what you hear about "acid on women" or "blowing up schools" etc. Is not true at all. Just a tiny bit of common sense, their support would not exist if they were responsible for such things.
There are many bandits/criminals that do things (as corruption is strife in Afghanistan right now) and shift the blame on Taliban, when they have no connection to them whatsoever.
It's the same for the pakistan taliban, they are a seperate group from the Afghan taliban, yet people continue to mix them and affiliate them.
As for the economy, you're forgetting the sanctions Afghanistan faced.
End of the day, I don't really care what you think, truth will prevail as it always does.