The Obama announcement of sending 30, 000 troops to Afghanistan is a lie. The fact is that no war has ever been fought in Afghanistan in the winter season. The reason is that hardy Afghans simply disappear like gofers in the gorges of their mountains where access to them is almost impossible. The Russian invasion of Afghanistan failed resulting in breakup of the Soviet superpower largely because of this experience in the Afghan terrain. The fact is that the troops Mr Obama is sending are only coming to fight against Pakistan. That is an open secret. Analyse speeches of the American officials, from Obama down to Hillary and Gates, they are all gunning for Pakistan and its nuclear arsenal. -M. ALI RIAZ, Lahore, December 19.