China, Iran, India in pursuit of peace, development in Afghanistan
AT News Report
KABUL: China is pursuing peace and stability and trying to
strengthen sustainable development in Afghanistan with its largesse
vastly funneled for mega infrastructure projects, say analysts. The
Chinese government has invested in several development projects utterly
driven by commercial considerations, said analysts at a seminar in
Karachi, Pakistan.
According to Dawn news agency, Dr. Rifaat Hussain, head of
government and public policy at the National University of Sciences and
Technology, said the Chinese hesitate to get involved in the security
situation after the US and NATO forces depart. He believed that India
had been trying to reduce Pakistan’s influence and opposed Taliban’s
return to power, which would mean an end to its investment in
Afghanistan. “India is providing alternative access to Afghanistan for
reaching ports through Iran; Indian infrastructure projects in
Afghanistan include building an extensive road network linking to the
Iranian port of Chahbahar.
“Indian investment in Afghanistan’s social sector, including
schools and hospitals, was approximately three billion dollars,” Dr
Hussain estimated, urging Islamabad and Delhi to work together for
stabilizing the war-torn country.
“Iran also will not like the return of Taliban to power. It is
working with non-Taliban actors to consolidate its presence in
Afghanistan.”
Shahid M. Amin, a former Pakistani ambassador, highlighted European
involvement in Afghanistan at the seminar, which was organized in
collaboration with the Hanns Siedel Foundation.
Dr. Hussain has written four books, including Afghanistan and 9/11:
The Anatomy of a Conflict. He cited the
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline as a stabilizing
factor.
--------------|
Presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah's camp on Friday reported that the two candidates, after a ...
|
Thursday, 21 August 2014 15:38
Last Updated on Thursday, 21 August 2014 19:30
At a meeting hosted by members of the Reform and Convergence Team on Thursday afternoon, presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah asserted that the audit process should bring justice, adding that his team will monitor every step of the process before making final decisions.
"We want the audit process to bring justice," he said. "I assure the people of Afghanistan that we are determined to protect their votes."
Moreover, Abdullah stressed on the significance of maintaining the legitimacy of the election process, stating that people's votes should not be tampered with.
"Defending votes is not about getting power; it is about defending the rights of the people of Afghanistan," he stated while claiming that his team has genuine votes from various provinces around the country.
Abdullah also emphasized that safeguarding people's trust is an important part of his leadership.
"The only thing we have is the people's trust; we will not give it up in exchange for anything," Abdullah stressed.
The statements came as recent disputes in the Independent Election Commission (IEC) have once again raised concerns and uncertainties about the future of the election process.
In addition, Abdullah urged on the political negotiations with Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai on the formation of national unity government, but maintained that the negotiations are not asking for privileges.
"The political process doesn't mean asking for privileges. Talks are underway and we will have a negotiation ready in the next few days."
But, Abdullah's second vice runner mate Mohammad Mohaqeq criticized the auditing procedures and declares the election commission as the main element behind the frauds.
"You saw the episode of the fat and skinny sheep's became the headline; Amarkhail resigned and left the sheep's for others, we have always said that Amarkhail and Saadat played a role in the electoral frauds, but no one listened to us," Mohammad Mohaqeq said.
Meanwhile, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai's team has asked that audit process and invalidation of votes are transparent and valid.
Abdullah and his rival Ashraf Ghani held a meeting on Wednesday focusing on the formation of the national unity government.
--------------
World
Kabul expels NYT reporter
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|||
|
Kabul:
Afghanistan on Wednesday ordered a New York Times correspondent to
leave the country after he wrote an article saying government ministers
and officials were threatening to seize power to end a stand-off over
election results.
The attorney general's office said the article was "against the national interests and the national security of Afghanistan" and that Matthew Rosenberg must depart within 24 hours. The move underlined fears that media freedoms gained since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 are being lost as the US-led military intervention and civilian aid programme in Afghanistan wind down. "It is not the first time that the paper has involved itself in Afghanistan's internal political affairs for its own political purposes and agenda," Aimal Faizi, spokesman for President Hamid Karzai, said an email sent to AFP. "Such biased reporting, not properly sourced, can be considered nothing but a fabrication. The Afghan government has been paralysed for months after the first round of the presidential election failed to produce a clear winner and the second round of voting in June triggered allegations of massive fraud. Both Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist, and former anti-Taliban fighter Abdullah Abdullah have claimed victory in the race to succeed Karzai. The impasse has raised fears of a return to the divisions of the 1990s civil war, when ethnic conflict ravaged the country and allowed the Taliban to seize power. The New York Times story suggested a plan was being formed to create a committee-run "interim government" — a move that would end international hopes that the costly intervention in Afghanistan would lead to democracy. "They have not even told us whether there is an order for me to go," Rosenberg told AFP. "They are putting out statements to the media, which to us looks like grandstanding. At no point have they said any laws have been broken. "This is a politically motivated thing, and the attorney general is doing the bidding of the top of the government. "Media freedom has been one of the really great achievements of the past 12 years, so it is dismaying." Rosenberg said the newspaper was seeking legal advice and no decision had been made on whether he would soon fly out of Afghanistan. The palace issued a statement saying that President Karzai had told a meeting of election and UN officials that "such articles show foreigners' interference to try to destabilise Afghanistan and should not be allowed". All media were severely restricted under the Taliban's 1996-2001 rule, but newspapers, TV stations and websites have proliferated in recent years. US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf on Tuesday urged the Afghan government "to respect fundamental freedoms of expression and expression of the press" after Rosenberg was questioned. | |||
-----------------------
August 4 updates
Editorial: HIA, the Taliban and the next government
Times and again the Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan (HIA), led by Gulbaddin Hikmatyar, has edged over the obdurate and politically blunt Taliban for its political flexibility and maturity. Though, HIA has been part of problems in this country and putting its share in unleashing insurgency and terror, nevertheless, when it comes to negotiations and share in the democratic government, it has towered above the Taliban. The difference seems to be because of their recruits.
HIA has educated and moderate recruits who believe in democracy unlike the Taliban—as its recruits are illiterate or having traditional education totally lacking knowledge of the ground realities that patching the stretched and at war Muslim nations into Caliphate is not possible at current day world.
These days certain media reports are doing rounds that HIA has been negotiating options for future cooperation including the possibility of joining the new government, which is just a few weeks away. HIA has shown willingness to work with both presidential contenders irrespective of it who wins the race. This shows HIA has proved itself to be politically much flexible.
Those who are part of HIA are also Afghans and those standing in the ranks of Taliban are also Afghans, but why this much difference in their approaches?
HIA insurgents also enjoy perks in Pakistan while the leadership of Afghan Taliban also are being supported by Islamabad—then why the one is stubborn and hell-bent destroying peace in the country and hate democracy while the other one is politically flexible and never hesitate to be part of the democratic setup? Does it mean Pakistan uses a card with two sides—Taliban and HIA.
If one fails the other will work out? Or HIA really believes in democracy and negotiations. Time will reveal it, however, we the citizens of Afghanistan, appreciate anybody who believes in negotiations and accepting democracy a viable setup for a country like ours.
If the Taliban could also take this road, the road of negotiations, the day is not so far there will be peace, harmony, change and development in the country where people will have no fear to go to mosques, schools, markets and offices. This is pertinent to mention here that HIA had defied to participate in the 2004 and 2009 presidential polls and also boycotted the June runoff election however it took part in the April 05 elections while supporting the presidential candidate Qutbuddin Hilal in the first round of the polls.
Later on HIA boycotted the runoff between Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani while claiming the two candidates were against their programs and principles. At that time many political pundits argued that HIA will eventually come to the table as this move was seen just an attention grabber stunt.
But the biggest and hardest part of the problem is the Taliban. They look besotted in arrogance and the mirage of victory, but they need to be disillusioned now. They have lost the charm, capacity and support to storm Kabul once again. Too many things have changed already and too many other things will change while leaving no room for militant mindset. They have also lost the war on propaganda front after the complete transition of security responsibilities from foreign troops to Afghan national security forces. Now they don’t see foreign troops on ground so who they will fight against? Afghan forces? And who are they? Their own Afghan brothers and family members. For how long they will keep continue their war against Afghan forces is something they are head-reeled by.
They know it in their bones they cannot win against them as Muslim on Muslim violence will make them more abhorred in the eyes of general public. Moreover, he is the winner who has the support of general public. Now the Taliban should tell the nation where do stand the general public—with them or Afghan security forces? Indeed Afghan security forces enjoy public support.
So, it is better the Taliban should also take the road of negotiations and the HIA should keep its words. HIA shouldn’t play a dual game—to remain in the next government and also keep fanning insurgency in the country. Should this happen and the nation will never forgive HIA’s cunningness.
http://www.afghanistantimes.af/news_details.php?id=8370&cid=4
-----------
ONE BILLION RISING- NO MORE EXCUSES
News - Afghanistan
Woman Kills Four Taliban Before Dying
Sunday, 03 August 2014 23:12 Written by Anisa Shaheed
http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/15821-woman-kills-four-taliban-before-dying
------------
Afghan presidential candidates' teams join audit
Last Modified: Monday, August 4, 2014 at 6:14 a.m.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — An Afghan election official says representatives of both presidential candidates have now joined the audit of ballots from the June election runoff.
The process is a key step toward insuring a peaceful transfer of power and determining the successor to Hamid Karzai, the only president the country has known since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that ousted the Taliban.
Election commission spokesman Noor Mohammad Noor says observers from the team of former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah joined the internationally supervised process on Monday.
On Sunday, when the audit resumed after a holiday break, only representatives from candidate Ghani Ahmadzai's team were on hand.
Preliminary results showed Ahmadzai well ahead of Abdullah, but both sides alleged fraud. The audit of the more than 8 million votes is likely to take weeks.
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20140804/API/308049910
--------------
AUGUST 1 2014- 200 MORE OBSERVERS- save democracy in Afghanistan... the world is very aware that Abdullah Abdullah stayed in Afghanistan is and loved dearly by ordinary people.... Karzai's puppet has American Citizenship ... come on...
Over 200 additional international election observers arrive in Afghanistan
By Ghanizada - Fri Aug 01, 5:03 pm
A large contingent of international observers have arrived in Afghanistan to play a key role in comprehensive audit of the results of the Presidential election run-off held on 14 June.
The audit process is expected to resume on Saturday by the Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan in full presence of international and domestic observers, candidates’ agents, the media and UN advisors.
The international observers are hailing from the European Union and including its Election Assessment Team (EU EAT) and the American non-government organizations National Democratic Institute (NDI), Democracy International (DI) and Creative as well as Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL).
Dozens of experts from the UN Development Programme (UNDP) will also be based in the audit warehouses where they will provide advice on international best practices and provide good offices for dispute resolution.
Jeff Fischer, a senior international expert on elections, was also among the large contingent of the international observers who arrived in Afghanistan today. His prior experience with the United Nations includes serving as chief electoral officer for the Popular Consultation for East Timor and heading the Joint Registration Taskforce in Kosovo.
“The arrival of a large contingent of international observers, in addition to the domestic observer groups, and UN experts is a powerful and tangible expression of the international community’s commitment to Afghanistan. It reflects a deep desire by Afghanistan’s international partners to respond to the two candidates’ urgent request to ease the electoral impasse the country faced by helping Afghan institutions conduct a comprehensive and credible audit, in accordance with best international practice and under robust international supervision,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš.
The Special Representative called upon the campaigns of the two Presidential candidates to honour their agreement to take advantage of the extensive international mobilisation and goodwill through their participation in the fully transparent audit of every single ballot box which they themselves requested.
“Now that the complete regulatory framework for the audit is in place – as proposed by the United Nations in full and thorough consultation with the parties and based on best international practice – this unprecedented audit provides a credible mechanism to address the concerns of the parties and the people so as to ensure justice and the legitimacy of the result of the Presidential elections,” Mr. Kubiš said. “It would be a disservice to the millions of ordinary Afghans who bravely voted across the two rounds if it is not made use of, if it is marred by further interruptions.”
Under the 12 July technical agreement reached by the two Presidential candidates, the United Nations was asked to propose the manner for the international supervision of the audit, which involves the entirety of the approximately 23,000 ballot boxes from the run-off being audited in Kabul by the IEC in the presence of international and domestic observers, candidate agents, the media and UN experts.
Any disputes or questions not responded to in a satisfactory manner in the audit will be referred to UN supervisors for advice, including on international best practices, or for resolution through its good offices.
The agreement also calls on the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) to transport all of the ballot boxes from the provinces to the capital, Kabul, with UN support. Accompanied by IEC officials, campaign agents and the Afghan security forces, to date ISAF and the UN have moved almost 75 per cent of the boxes to Kabul without incident.
http://www.khaama.com/over-200-additional-international-election-observers-arrive-in-afghanistan-6506
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JULY 30, 2014- seriously... this is so set up against Abdullah Abdullah the man of the ordinary people of Afghanistan.... Shame on Obama/Karzai/United Nations and World Banking- u hijacked democracy in Afghanistan... again.... so sad...
Karzai's cousin and Ghani ally killed in Afghan suicide attack
By Reuters
KABUL (Reuters) - President Hamid Karzai's powerful cousin, a close
ally of presidential candidate Ashraf Ghani, was killed on Tuesday in a suicide
bomb attack at his home, the office of the southern province of Kandahar said.
Hashmat Karzai was hosting an event at his house for the Eid al-Fitr holiday
when a man set of hidden explosives.
------------
CANADA MILITARY NEWS- AFGHANISTAN- JULY 28, 2014..... SO
MANY BLOGS, posts, emails, letters, gifts, prayers, tears, joy, sadness-
complete support by millions of the silent majority.... 4 our beautiful
Afghanistan..... our Canada troops and our Nato troops and Afghan troops and
cops and women and kids..... and again... POLITICIANS- OBAMA/KARZAI/UNITED
NATIONS/WORLD BANK –ARAB-PERSIAN WORLD HAVE BETRAYED ... our Afghanistan....
Abdullah Abdullah is so loved by the ordinary everyday people.... women, youth,
kids and elders.... a true betrayal of the blood sweat and tears and guts of
our troops.... SHAME ON US ALL.... GOD BLESS AFGHANISTAN, GOD BLESS OUR CANADA,
GOD BLESS OUR ISRAEL.... SHAME ON SYRIA,
HAMAS, IRAN, HEZBOLLAH AND THE MUSLIM KILLING MUSLIM ARAB/PERSIAN MONSTERS U
HAVE CREATED.... u break our hearts... imho
Allowing Afghanistan's future to be hijacked
Are Afghans being sent the message that there is no point in democracy?
Nearly
five years after the 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan, I was having dinner in Kabul with
friends, including my wife and son visiting from Europe. Suddenly, a group of men,
several of them armed, sauntered in. The one in charge, a wild-haired man with
a scraggy beard, announced that they were from the Interior Ministry. When I
asked to see their IDs, he immediately began screaming abuse, while his men
roughed me up. The fact that various diplomats, aid workers, and journalists
were all sitting dumbfounded at the table less than three yards away did not
perturb them.
My
“crime,” it appeared, was that I had dared question this senior Afghan
official, a former Voice of America employee in Washington who had been placed
as a legal” advisor in the ministry. He listened angrily when I reminded him
that as part of the “new” Afghanistan, both he and his men were obliged to
identify themselves. Nor could they simply enter someone’s house without
permission. This was what rule of law was all about.
While the
Western military have treated security as Afghanistan’s biggest problem, local
Afghans prefer to cite the government’s failure to respect justice. Few trust
the police or the judges. Only those with money and power, Afghans maintain,
can buy justice – and elections.
Recommended:
How
well do you know Afghanistan? Take our quiz.
Of
course, as a foreigner, I could take the risk of making a stand. Not so for
ordinary Afghans. Even today, the police, many barely literate, regularly beat
up or rob anyone who counters them. For their part, the powerful warlords,
corrupt government officials, and the privileged elites can do what they like.
It all comes down to connections and money. Hence the enthusiastic belief among
so many Afghans who took part in this year’s presidential elections that
perhaps, somehow, a free and fair vote might finally help bring an end to such
abuses. Afghans have always been avid radio listeners, and, in more recent
years, TV viewers, so they know the concept of democracy. But they also know
that as long as their voices are stifled, there will be no real change.
I was
eventually released, but not before being interrogated by a former KHAD agent,
the communist Afghan secret police trained by the East Germans and Bulgarians
during the Soviet era. In the days that followed, the ministry went on to
threaten members of my staff, including our part-time Afghan cook, a married
mother of three who hosted her own family radio show. She was accused of being
a prostitute. A British aid worker who lived just down the road – and looked
uncannily like me – was assassinated by unknown men as he drove home from
dinner. Western security sources believed that I was meant to be the target.
For a
journalist who has covered humanitarian crises and wars worldwide, all this was
run of the mill. For my wife and son, however, it was a terrifying experience.
Days later, Abdullah Abdullah, then
foreign minister and currently one of Afghanistan’s two presidential
candidates, invited us to his home. I had known him years earlier as a
political aide to renowned Northern Alliance leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, who was
assassinated by Al Qaeda operatives two days before
9/11. Touchingly, Abdullah did not want my wife to leave the country with a bad
impression. Over a simple meal, we spent the evening discussing Afghan culture,
history, and poetry.
Abdullah’s
gesture was indicative of the extraordinary hospitality that Afghans still
harbor for their guests. That hospitality is also a saving grace for a society
that has endured more than 35 years of war. Ashraf Ghani, Abdullah’s rival,
also has his charms, but he is more a technocrat. His conversations do not
involve the heart and soul; think more World Bank projects and statistics.
Nevertheless,
both men are worthy contenders for the Afghan presidency. And so it is even
more tragic that, once again, the international community and local power
elites have allowed Afghanistan’s future to be hijacked.
It
happened when the West imposed its own largely inappropriate top-down vision on
Afghanistan at the December, 2001, Bonn talks; it happened again at the 2002
Loya Jirgha, or Grand Assembly, when so many Afghans, particularly women, had
such high hopes. For pragmatic reasons, the UN’s chief representative, Lakhmar
Brahimi, allowed the warlords to take over, while Washington promoted Hamid Karzai rather than Zahir Shah, the aging
former Afghan king. The ex-monarch was the only figurehead leader of any repute
who could have galvanized Afghans as a nation. It happened again during the
2009 presidential elections when Karzai was re-elected in a rigged vote. In
2014, it looks no different.
Even
though Afghanistan’s electoral commission has agreed to review all ballots
cast, this basic travesty of justice and lack of credibility could have been
avoided. Over the past 12 years, the West has spent – or misspent – billions of
dollars on a pointless war coupled with a largely ineffective recovery effort.
The latter has produced some tangible change, notably in health and education,
but certainly not comparable to the money wasted.
The
West’s involvement in Afghanistan over the past 12 years has been dominated by
one failed opportunity after another. Rather than focusing so massively on the
military effort rather than well-informed and better-targeted recovery, for
example, the international community could have made a significant difference
by supporting a proposal made back in 2002, notably the introduction of
electronic ID cards. But the idea was consistently ignored as “impractical.”
And yet, in a society where mobile phones are now ubiquitous, it could have
served as a relatively reliable voter ID, perhaps preventing stuffed ballots.
It could also have helped monitor health, educational, and other crucial data,
such as vaccination programs.
For
Afghans, the elections are broadly perceived as their last chance before the
bulk of foreign troops leave and global development commitment drops even
further. Nevertheless, even though Afghans have traditionally proved adept at
compromise, the voting abuses may have gone too far. People went to the polls
to have their say. To have their vote turned into a shared coalition government
primarily because of corruption and abuse of the voting process may only be
sending the message that there is no point in democracy.
Yet this
does not mean the West should abandon Afghanistan. The last time the West lost
interest was after the Soviet withdrawal in 1989. This led to a ruthless civil
war during the early 1990s followed by the rise of the Taliban supported by Al
Qaeda, Pakistan, and even the United States. By the time Washington
understood what was happening, it was too late.
A former
correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor, Edward Girardet is a
Geneva-based journalist and author. His latest book is: Killing the Cranes –
A Reporter’s Journey Through Three Decades of War in Afghanistan. He is
also editor of the fully-revised 2014 Essential Field Guide to Afghanistan (www.efgafghan.com)
--------------------
BLOGGED:
CANADA
MILITARY NEWS: November 26- Afghanistan new- progress- the good stuff-
surrounding nations- KABUL- (10 year photos before and after)- Our troops
matter- and so do Afghans- God blesses them each and all
http://nova0000scotia.blogspot.ca/2013/11/canada-military-news-november-26.html---------------------
Blogged:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS: July
28 2014- Beloved Afghanistan betrayed by Obama/United Nations/World Banking and
Karzai- Abdullah Abdullah is loved by the ordinary Afghans and democratic
election has be raped again by Global Politics- We weep 4 Afghans and We Weep 4
our beloved Troops and Afghan Troops and Cops-tears and prayers
-------------------------
blogged:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS: Incredible poll of Afghans Dec 2013 Afghans Optimistic- little security concern/Afghans protest ethnic discrimination-racism- how's that 4 democracy- December 8- news of troops and Afghan news
-------------
Related
Stories
--------------
The News
- Sunday 27th July, 2014
KABUL:
Afghanistan's election commission on Saturday suspended the auditing process of
8.1 million votes cast in the presidential run-off poll on June 14, after the
two candidates failed to ...
- See
more at: http://www.afghanistannews.net/#sthash.QEzsBFCL.dpuf
----
The
National - Sunday 27th July, 2014
KABUL //
Taliban insurgents were shot dead by police before they could enter the home of
a well-known provincial police chief in restive southern Afghanistan on
Sunday.But the armed militants killed ...
- See more at: http://www.afghanistannews.net/#sthash.QEzsBFCL.dpuf
-----
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEW: Afghanistan-SWEET JESUS MOTHER MARY AND JOSEPH- PRAISE GOD- CANADIAN LEADER ASSUMES LEADERSHIP OF NATO MISSION AFGHANISTAN JULY 17TH- God loves Afghan dearly and our Canadians told u- We Believe- Good Morning Freedom- Kabul Drams- July-CANADA'S BROKEN HEART 4 AFGHANISTAN...global politics sell out Abdullah and beloved Afghan people- We have all been betrayed by Obama/Karzai/United Nations and World Banking- first election ran free in Afghanistan Apri 5th-7million votes-Abdullah won 46% of 7 million votes NOW LOSES 2ND RUN??? how stupid do u think everyday world's people are- the time we spend on our troops- and our troops in Afghanistan- 4 this bullshit and beans???- SHAME ON YA ALL- we're done! Abdullah and Afghans sorry- soooo tearful and prayerful sorry... FREEDOM DIED 2DA EVERYWHERE
AND..
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS JUNE 23, 2014-Afghanistan-1960s remember- HEADS UP -Pakistani Rebels and Suicide Attackers slither in2 our Afghanistan -Hey Canada n USA etc. Wld u die 2 vote 4 ur countries like r Afghans? - AFGHANS BRING PRIDE 2 NATO TROOPS AND AFGHAN TROOPS AND POLICING APRIL 5, 2014- they are rising up and defiant and proud showing the world how 2 be free at last- no taliban gonna take their world no more... no way- Whilst UN, EU,USA, Canada politicians hijack our world and turn humanity in2 ashes-Ukraine4oil.... Afghanistan rises us up/DAILY UPDATES AFGHANISTAN- Kabul Dreams -Good Morning Freedom
AND..
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS: South Pole Wounded Warriors Allied Challenge-Incredible story and victory of 4 counries of Wounded Warriors - Antartica 2 South Pole- Victory run/walk success- in harshest climates- UK/Canada/Australia and USA- The Journey and success proving 2 a billion folks proudly- disabilities are abilities in disguise- did we make u proud- u surely did and do..Environmentalists could NOT make it.... u ran and walked it.... the world rejoiced and Santa and NORAD hugged u along the way.The Journey 2 Victory blogged daily- December 2013/O CANADA TROOPS- we love u so- honour
BLOGGED:
CANADA MILITARY NEWS- Nov 5:- AFGHANISTAN FORMAL REPORT - UPDATED NOV 4 - Comic talkes -truth talking 4 world- ROBIN WILLIAMS, JEFF FOXWORTHY, CHARLIE DANIELS, JOHN CLEESE, STEPHEN FRY-Hey United Nations how bout some equality 4 girls, disdabled, kids ngays-lets get us some freedom world -fix our own- God bless our Nato troops-God bless our Afghanistan
Afghan
vote audit suspended over disagreements
The
News - Sunday 27th July, 2014
KABUL:
Afghanistan's election commission on Saturday suspended the auditing process of
8.1 million votes cast in the presidential run-off poll on June 14, after the
two candidates failed to ...
- See
more at: http://www.afghanistannews.net/#sthash.QEzsBFCL.dpuf
----
Police
foil Taliban attack on Afghan police chief
The
National - Sunday 27th July, 2014
KABUL
// Taliban insurgents were shot dead by police before they could enter the home
of a well-known provincial police chief in restive southern Afghanistan on
Sunday.But the armed militants killed ...
- See
more at: http://www.afghanistannews.net/#sthash.QEzsBFCL.dpuf
Neither
heat nor gloom ... Afghan post office delivers
Christian
Science Monitor - Sunday 27th July, 2014
As the
Afghan government struggles to develop, the post office has quietly managed to
become one of the nation's most efficient institutions - and with extremely
limited international ...
- See
more at: http://www.afghanistannews.net/#sthash.QEzsBFCL.dpuf
---
----------------
HAMAS-IRAN-SYRIA-HEZBOLLAH
(even Egypt stepped away from the evil Muslim Brotherhood and abuse of Muslim women and children) IS ISRAEL'S 9/11- AFGHANISTAN..... seriously...... $$$billions of UN money spent on all that
concrete- that built hundreds of tunnels instead of schools, homes, community
centres, youth centres??? come on.... GOD BLESS ISRAEL..... our Holy Land where
Jesus of Nazareth was born- our Lord and Saviour was born a Jew... and it
matters....
MK
Danon: 'We need a ceasefire from Obama's attacks'
Moran
Azulay
Published:
07.27.14, 23:40 / Israel News
MK
Danny Danon responded to US President Barack Obama's demand for an
unconditional ceasefire saying, "We need a ceasefire from the attacks
coming from Obama and the government in Washington. Just as the US fought with
determination against the Taliban, we must continue hitting Hamas and
destroying the infrastructure of terror."
He
also added: "We need to withstand the pressure on us and worry about the
interests of the State of Israel."
and..
Israeli
Arabs caught in the middle of Gaza war - World ...
TIRA,
Israel (AP) Facing the threat of rocket fire along with the rest of Israel,
residents in this central Israeli Arab town have found themselves caught in the
...
----------------
Notice
-China, India, Pakistan, Russia are all coming 2gether 4 Afghanistan.... God
loves Afghanistan....
Reconciliation
process in Afghanistan: Sun Yuxi
China
supports reconciliation process in Afghanistan: Sun Yuxi PDF Print E-mail
ISLAMABAD,
Jul 27 (APP): China’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Sun Yuxi here on Sunday
said China supports ongoing political and reconciliation process in Afghanistan
as it will create a better security environment.
-------------
UN
Says Candidates Support Proposal
Sunday,
27 July 2014 18:02 Last Updated on Sunday, 27 July 2014 18:57 Written by Saleha
Soadat
The
United Nations (UN) reported that both presidential candidates signaled their
support on Saturday for the UN's proposed invalidation criteria for the vote
auditing process.
The UN
office in Kabul said that the organization was notified by both candidates and
now expects the audit process to move forward without further delay. The UN had
previously submitted the proposal to the Independent Election Commission (IEC)
without approval from the candidates and the commission said the auditing
process would need to be put on hold until they could reach agreement.
"Dr.
Abdullah Abdullah and Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai have both told the UN that they
support the UN proposal regarding the recounting and invalidation of
votes," said Neelab Mubarez, a spokesman for the United Nations Assistance
Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Abdullah
Abdullah's campaign team has said that they do not think the UN's proposal is
sufficient and sent recommendations on how to improve the proposal. "This
proposal is not a comprehensive proposal, and does not cover all angles, we
have some suggestions and will send them to the UN," said Fazel Rahman
Oyra, a member of Abdullah's camp.
Meanwhile,
Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai's campaign team has said that while they continue to have
some concerns regarding the UN proposal, they have accepted it in order to
avoid prolonging the election process any further, which they believe would be
against Afghanistan's best interests.
"One
of our observations was that IEC employees were trained so that if elderly,
uneducated people could not choose their favorite candidate, IEC employees
could tick mark their favorite candidate," Ashraf Ghani campaign
representative Daud Sultanzoy said. "Won't there be similarities between
those tick marks?"
The UN
proposal suggests that the invalidation of votes take place in public hearings
held by the IEC and in the presence of UN representatives, the candidates'
observers, international observers and the media. Abdullah has asked the UN to
play a central role in the public hearings out of mistrust for the IEC's
neutrality.
--------------
'Afghan
army has proved its ability'
The
ISAF mission ends at the end of the year. Brigadier General Franz Weidhüner,
responsible for Germany's withdrawal, talks with DW about the withdrawal from
Afghanistan and the security situation in the country.
DW:
How far is the German military with its withdrawal from Afghanistan?
Franz
Weidhüner: The relocation started about one and a half years ago and now we
have brought back some 18,000 tons of air-freight to Germany and another 4,500
tons over land. At the starting point we had a stock of 1,800 vehicles, 1,700
containers and approximately 150,000 items like tents, weapons and ammunition.
The containers are brought over land to Germany and the military vehicles as
air-freight to the logistic transition point in Trabzon, Turkey.
From
Turkey the vehicles are transported to Germany on ships. Nearly all German
troops stationed here in Afghanistan are currently involved in the relocation.
The core group consists of up to 300 soldiers overseeing the relocation, the
Bundeswehr's biggest logistics operation ever.
Not
all of the materiel will be brought back to Germany. What is staying in
Afghanistan?
A
military helicopter and a military vehicle (Foto: Maurizio Gambarini/dpa)
'The
biggest logistics operation in Bundeswehr history'
The
equipment for 800 soldiers will remain here in Afghanistan, which may be needed
in a possible training mission called "Train Advise Assist" (TAA). In
addition, military materiel, which first will be demilitarized and disabled,
will be auctioned off to local bidders.
What
does the withdrawal mean for the Afghan population? How can security be
guaranteed when at the end of the year most of the troops are gone?
The
Afghans are already responsible for security. The Afghan security forces proved
their capability during the recent elections. We only support them in the
already mentioned areas of Train Advice Assist, for example the optimization of
logistical processes. In addition we support the basic medical care of the
security forces by providing medical supplies. That also includes training
medical staff.
How
will you guarantee security for the German soldiers remaining in the country
after the end of the ISAF mission?
There
will be some security forces among the 800 soldiers. The task will be taken
care of by participating nations.
How do
you see the internal situation of Afghanistan?
Of
course it all depends on the elections. We have experienced two rounds and now
they will be recounted. We have to wait for this process to run its course.
Many
Afghans have worked and are still working for the ISAF mission. What kind of
protection will they have when the troops are gone?
We
take special care of local staff. They are in danger and if they are
threatened, they can talk to us. We check this individually and when we believe
that a person is in real danger the person can leave for Germany. At the moment
we have offered this option to around 300 local staff.
Brigadier
General Franz Weidhüner is stationed in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif
and responsible for the relocation of German army materiel to Germany.
---------------
ELECTION
2014: Problems in the Audit Process
Sunday,
27 July 2014 13:04 Written by TOLOnews.com
In
this episode of Entekhabat 93, host Omid Farooq discusses issues in the audit
process with the following the guests:
• Engineer
Asim, a member of Abdullah Abdullah's team
•
Sediq Patman, member of Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai's team
• Shah
Hussian Murtazawi, journalist
To
watch the whole program, click here:
--------------
Afghans
Prepare for Eid Despite Security Concerns
Sunday,
27 July 2014 17:45 Last Updated on Sunday, 27 July 2014 20:40 Written by Rafi
Seddiqi
As the
holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, Kabul residents take to the streets and
shop in preparation for Eid in spite of security concerns.
The
locals have asked security forces that during the celebration of Eid that
security be on high alert, specifically examining the movements of vehicles
meticulously.
Head
of Kabul Security Rings pledges to the public that there will be no shortage of
police working during the merriment of Eid adding that the security forces have
taken necessary precautions to sustain the safety of Kabul City. Security
forces have said that vehicles, in all parts of Kabul, will be thoroughly
checked to prevent any sort of security threat.
"Kabul
police have started searching vehicles since Saturday evening," said
Commander of Kabul City Security Rings, Farhad Safi. "Since Saturday the
inspections have continued and luckily, we have not faced any challenges
yet."
While
praising the performance of the police, Kabul residents stress that the
security forces must work more to preserve the improved security.
"The
police search is intensively moving forward, but all vehicles, including
government vehicles must be searched as well," Muhammad Azad, a resident
of Kabul, said.
Despite
the security threats, with Eid right around the corner residents are concerned
of the spike in prices of food and goods as per Afghan culture the homes are
filled with food and gifts to share with friends and family who visit one
another on a joyous occasion.
Though
Eid brings happiness to the lives of people, the high prices of goods, such as
food and clothes, along with security challenges have left many residents
apprehensive.
The
public has strongly criticized the responsible institutions and lack of
government attention behind the increasing prices.
"We
came to the bazaar today to buy some things, but when we saw the prices of the
items we could not afford to buy what we needed," Kabul resident Fahim
said.
"Prices
in the market have reached its limit," another Kabul resident Wais Ahmad
said. "Wherever we go there is no overseeing of the market prices, not
even by the government employees. Shopkeepers are selling items at whatever
prices they wish."
As
news of Eid spreads, the feeling of uneasiness fills the atmosphere in concerns
to security and the spike in the markets.
---------------
Talking
points: Pakistan, China discuss Afghan situation
By
Press Release
Published:
July 27, 2014
Foreign
secretary shows Pakistan’s willingness to promote cooperation, counter
militancy. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
China’s
special envoy on Afghan affairs Ambassador Sun Yuxi called on Foreign Secretary
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry on Saturday.
The
foreign secretary congratulated Ambassador Sun Yuxi on his appointment as
special envoy and extended best wishes for his mission.
Stability
in Afghanistan
During
the wide-ranging talks, the foreign secretary underscored the convergent
interests and collective goals of Pakistan and China regarding Afghanistan.
Both
sides reaffirmed their willingness to support efforts for a stable, united and
prosperous Afghanistan. They also highlighted the importance of international
support to Afghanistan during its multiple transitions, including a peaceful
democratic transition.
Aizaz
added that continued support and assistance for reconstruction and economic
development would reinforce efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Operation
Zarb-e-Azb
The
foreign secretary reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to counter militants. He
pointed out that Operation Zarb-e-Azb – targeted against all terrorists and
their hideouts – is helping Pakistan achieve this goal.
The
special envoy expressed China’s solidarity with Pakistan in this endeavour and
appreciated Pakistan’s contribution towards global efforts to eradicate
terrorism.
Regional
cooperation
The
foreign secretary also highlighted Pakistan’s constructive engagement to
promote regional cooperation.
Both
sides agreed to work closely with each other at the Ministerial Meeting of the
Heart of Asia/Istanbul Process which will be held in Tianjin, China.
Published
in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2014.
---------------
Afghanistan
Carpet Center of Excellence to be established
Posted
by wadsam | July 27, 2014 | 0
Afghanistan
Carpet Center of Excellence is to be established to increase the
competitiveness of the Afghan carpet industry and global sales of Afghan
handmade carpets.
A
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect was signed between the Export
Promotion Agency of Afghanistan and the Commerce Department of the USA on
Saturday in Kabul.
The
Center’s objective is to help in branding for Afghan carpet, improving quality,
value chain and supply chain and capacity building of Afghan Traders.
Najla
Habibyar, Head of the EPAA, said the MoU would help take Afghan carpets to the
global market.
“We
are striving hard to make sure everyone working for the carpet industry
benefits from this agreement and gets trainings outside of Afghanistan to be
able to compete in the international market,” said Habibyar.
Carpet
industry was once one of Afghanistan’s flourished industries that had made a
niche in various international markets. Carpets were the second major exports
of Afghanistan, accounting for 47% of the country’s export earnings in 2002 and
2003.
Carpet
exports have declined by almost 80% in the past six years due to lack of
washing and processing facilities, inability to compete with neighboring
countries’ carpet production and years of instability and war.
-------------------
NWA
operation: Afghan action needed for success, says Jillani
By APP
Published:
July 27, 2014
Envoy
stresses Zarb-e-Azb is against all militants; says some of them may be hiding
in Afghanistan. PHOTO: ISPR
WASHINGTON:
The
ongoing operation in North Waziristan is targeting all militants but needs to
be complemented by actions on the Afghan side to be conclusive, Ambassador to
the United States Jalil Abbas Jilani said on Saturday.
“Our
apprehension is that many of these [terrorist] elements are on the run… [and]
some of them … people belonging to the Haqqani network… may have gone to Afghanistan,” he said while
speaking at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado in a discussion on Afghanistan
and Pakistan.
“While
the hammer is in full swing, we only hope that the anvil we have been talking
about for a long time that would also appear one day.”
Ambassador
Jillani said Pakistan was holding discussions with the US and Afghanistan on
these apprehensions.“We have good cooperation but I think something more needs
to be done to make sure the successes we achieve in North Waziristan are
conclusive,” he stressed.
“We
should make every possible effort to ensure these people [militants] don’t find
any refuge anywhere… [and] don’t come
back and regroup because that would have very serious consequences,” he added.
Pakistan
was making every possible effort in this regard, the envoy said. “We are
screening everyone, including the IDPs [internally displaced persons] who are
moving into the settled areas.”
“Our
expectation would be that the same thing is done on the Afghan side as well
because 40,000 to 50,000 people have moved to Afghanistan,” he added.
Jillani
stressed that “the operations we are conducting are absolutely colourless and
indiscriminate, and we are getting the results.”
Speaking
in the broader perspective, the envoy said he felt things are looking better
for the region and referred to recent political transitions in Pakistan, India
and the ongoing transition in Afghanistan. “These political transitions can
bring about a lot of stability,” he said, adding, “Improvement in
Pakistan-India ties will also bring stability in Afghanistan.”
On
Pakistan-US relations, Ambassador Jilani noted a marked improvement from a
couple of years ago.
The
discussion also touched on drone operations, with the envoy saying the
programme was a sensitive issue in Pakistan on moral, human rights and legal
grounds as well as with regards to the question of sovereignty.
Published
in The Express Tribune, July 27th, 2014.
----------------------
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Heaven Was Needing A Hero- Canadian- Francis/English
Desert Lions- Canadian Forces Mentor their Afghan Comrades in Kandahar
KABUL DREAMS.... GOOD MORNING FREEDOM
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