g centre-left coalition led by President Michelle Bachelet. Mr Frei's main opponent, Sebastian Pinera, said he felt nothing but solidarity for Mr Frei and his family MBT Shoes Clearances, and described the former president's death as an open wound on the national soul. Gen Pinochet's rule lasted from 1973 to 1990. More than 3,000 people who opposed his rule were killed or disappeared during this period.
Senior US government figures have rejected criticism of President Barack Obama's plan to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in 2011.2011Robert Gates and Hillary Clinton were defending President Obama's plans President Obama announced last week that the US would boost troop numbers, but start pulling out by July 2011. State Secretary Hillary Clinton said it was not a drop-dead deadline, while Defence Secretary Robert Gates said it was the beginning of a process MBT shoes. Mr Gates also said the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden were unknown. He said it had been years since the US last had any good intelligence about his movements. 'Wrong message'Republicans have criticised President Obama's date as being arbitrary and a possible encouragement for the Taliban. Senator John McCain said it sent the wrong message to the militants. There has also been concern in Afghanistan that its government would not be ready to cope in the event of a speedy US exit MBT Shoes.Correspondents say the Afghan government and security forces recognise that the country is at a critical juncture - the Taliban have continued to gain strength, and although there is little enthusiasm for extra troops, officials recognise they are unable to deal with the situation on their own. Mr Gates emphasised that there was no deadline, and that the handover of responsibilities to Afghan authorities district by district would be based on conditions on the ground. He said troops would be sent home gradually, with the US retaining an overwatch position if necessary. [President Obama] was balancing a demonstration of resolve with also communicating a sense of urgency to the Afghan government tha Related articles:

• http://www.clanstump.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=46797&PID=66935#66935
• http://www.phaworkers.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=61819&PID=78040#78040
• http://www.aberdarevalleysnookerleague.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=383984&PID=437695#437695