Afghanistan not behaving like another Vietnam

Afghanistan not behaving like another Vietnam
EDITOR:
Is Afghanistan another Vietnam or is it more like Cambodia? As one reads the daily Vindicator reports, the similarities between the three begin to become more and more pronounced.
First and probably most important is the fact that Afghanistan has no unified government but has a plan to build one under the auspices of the United Nations, but meanwhile is plagued by warlords and tribal leaders who can defeat honest efforts to stabilize the country, like Somalia but not like South Vietnam.
Surely no one needs to be reminded of the previous instability of South Vietnam's government with governments coming and going like the seasons. This, as much as any other one factor, kept the United States from achieving its goals, smart or dumb, in Vietnam and Somalia.
Then, too, we have the Eastern border situation. There, the Taliban and Al-Qaida go back and forth at will, avoiding the show-down the coalition forces seek to end the threat from outside forces to Afghanistan, at least on the eastern border. Because this border is so porous and is not protected or defended by Pakistani forces, it compares generally to the borders between North and South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia which meant a sanctuary and supply routes for Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces.
We read of Afghanistan casualty figures as low as one or four, accompanied by reports of enemy forces escaping the efforts of the coalition to engage them in battle. This kind of guerrilla action along with random rocket attacks near the secure bases of allied forces means that neither war nor peace is present but an extremely dangerous harassing action always is, a reminder of the early years of Vietnam and in a general way of Somalia.
One wonders if we may be approaching a time when the coalition forces could up and pull out since the Taliban and Al-Qaida are obviously weak and hold no appreciable amount of territory in Afghanistan. But one is immediately reminded of the government's instability and the eastern border's sieve-like nature for enemy marauders to use as they please. Since the enemy would readily return to Afghanistan, bribe the warlords and make Afghanistan the world base of terrorism again, then pulling out our forces any time soon -- like Vietnam in the early years -- seems out of the question.
Taking these factors together, it seems as if we're going to be there for a long time, trying to bolster their political, economic and even military institutions, and above all, building those oil pipelines our leaders want so much to pass through Afghanistan to the Indian Ocean.
Another Vietnam it isn't, at least not right now, but it would be mighty reassuring if we knew that there is a guarantee that it is not going to become another Vietnam.
MYRON GARWIG
Youngstown
Family could at last pay respects to military hero
EDITOR:
I am writing on behalf of the Cutrer and Mansour families in reference to the article that appeared in the Memorial Day edition of The Vindicator. The article was in honor of the late Capt. Fred C. Cutrer.
We are grateful to The Vindicator for printing a most poignant story.
Capt. Cutrer was buried with full military honors at Arlington Cemetery on June 6, 2002.
The outpouring of 90 relatives and friends who traveled from around the country to witness this touching ceremony was overwhelming.
Capt. Cutrer honored his country by giving his life 37 years ago, and it was our honor and privilege to witness the service at Arlington and pay our final respects to him.
He has finally come home to all who love and cherish his memory.
SANDRA MANSOUR
Youngstown
X The writer is Capt. Cutrer's sister-in-law.