Support for Taliban was at an ‘all-time high’ in Kandahar in Spring 2009

KANDAHAR - Public support for the Taliban was at an “all-time high” in Kandahar province last spring, just as the United States was preparing to pour in the first wave of military reinforcements, polling data compiled by the Canadian military suggests.

According to a Globe and Mail report, data obtained by The Canadian Press under access to information laws, illustrates just how much resistance there was even a year ago to the growing U.S. troop build-up in Kandahar.

A startling 25 per cent of those asked said they had a favourable view of the Taliban, including six per cent with a “very favourable” opinion.

A human-rights group said the sentiments captured in the poll are still present today and cast doubt on whether President Karzai will get unanimous public support in Kandahar for NATO’s forthcoming offensive.

“Fewer Kandaharis report feeling safe than in previous polls; more believe that security is worsening than improving,” said the study, carried out in February 2009.

The poll was conducted in most major provincial districts, but the military did not release details about the sample size or methodology. The army has been conducting regular surveys of the Afghan population since 2007. (ANI)