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August 11, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-14


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


TALIBAN LEADER KILLED IN FIGHTING NEAR WAZIKWA

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – U.S. Forces confirmed that Taliban leader Qari Amadullah was killed during heavy fighting near the city of Wazikwa in Eastern Afghanistan August 9.

Amadullah was believed to have commanded up to fifty Taliban fighters in the region and was thought to be in possession of a number of weapon systems to include rockets and rocket propelled grenades.

“Killing this individual will significantly disrupt Taliban operations in the region,” said Brig. Gen James G. Champion, Combined Joint Task Force-76 Deputy Commanding General. “We hope that with his death, Amadullah’s forces are able to find the courage to break with the Taliban organization and begin to reconcile with the government of Afghanistan in their efforts to rebuild this war torn nation.”

Amadullah was killed during a firefight with Afghan National Army soldiers and Paratroopers assigned to the 1st battalion, 508th (Airborne) Infantry Regiment. Five other militants were killed and three U.S. service members were wounded. Afghan and U.S. forces were conducting operations in the area designed to kill or capture Taliban leaders.


http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/news_re...se=20050814.txt

Civilians reportedly killed in U.S. airstrike in Afghanistan

U.S. service member killed in ambush
By Noor Khan
ASSOCIATED PRESS

6:47 a.m. August 11, 2005

QALAT, Afghanistan – Villagers in southern Afghanistan said Thursday that U.S. airstrikes during operations against militants this week killed civilians and wounded others, including an infant. A U.S. service member was killed in the east – the sixth American fatality in a week.
Zabul province Gov. Ali Khail said U.S.-led coalition forces had "made a mistake" during recent operations in the province, but gave no details. The U.S. military denied any civilians had been in the area of the Day Chopan district where the fighting had taken place on Monday. The military said earlier that 18 suspected insurgents and one U.S. service member were killed in the fighting.

Another U.S. service member was killed Thursday when suspected insurgents ambushed a group of U.S. military engineers near a road construction project in Paktika province. Another service member was wounded, the military said in a statement.

The service member was the sixth to be killed since last Thursday, when three U.S. troops were killed in military operations in eastern Afghanistan. One U.S. troop also died Tuesday in a roadside bomb.

More than 170 American forces have died in and around the country since Operation Enduring Freedom began in late 2001 to oust the hard-line Taliban regime.

Two villagers spoke to The Associated Press about the Zabul bombing at a hospital in the provincial capital, Qalat, a few hours drive from their home village of Rauf, which they said had been pounded by American forces on Monday night and early Tuesday.

"The children were crying and they were very afraid," said a weeping Sadia Bibi, 50. "These planes killed my relatives. We are poor and innocent people. Why are they killing us?"

Bibi's 20-year-old daughter Najiba Bibi and 6-week-old grandson were being treated at the hospital for injuries to their hands and legs, which she said had been struck by pieces of brick during the bombing. Both the woman and boy were bandaged.

Bibi claimed her 55-year-old brother, Abdul Shakor, and his wife were killed along with a 16-year-old boy named Matiullah.

A relative who brought the injured to the hospital, Abdul Halim, 35, said his neighbor's house had been bombed, killing a man who lived there.

Also, one woman from the village died at a hospital in neighboring Kandahar province after arriving there with two other injured women on Wednesday, a doctor at the hospital, Mohammed Hashil, told AP by phone.

U.S. military spokeswoman, Lt. Cindy Moore, however, said intelligence indicated no civilian casualties had occurred.

"My understanding is that our intelligence shows no civilians in this area. It was a remote area. The targets were in an open area. We were firing back ... this is possibly propaganda press. We don't have any assessment of any civilians in this area," she told AP.

The U.S. military reported earlier that the fighting in Day Chopan was sparked when a U.S. and Afghan patrol came under fire from militants using small arms and rocket-propelled grenades and that coalition aircraft had joined the battle.

Afghan officials and human rights groups repeatedly have complained about civilian casualties in U.S.-led military operations, saying heavy-handed tactics could stoke sympathy for militants who have maintained a stubborn insurgency since the fall of the hard-line Taliban regime.

American commanders insist they modify their operations to try to avoid hurting civilians and accuse militants of using civilians for protection.

Sporadic militant attacks across the country have deepened concerns over security ahead of key legislative elections set for Sept. 18. The vote represents the country's next step toward democracy after two decades of war and civil strife.

Meanwhile, one suspected Taliban guerrilla was killed and seven others arrested by Afghan forces on Wednesday in eastern Paktika province, said Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammed Saher Azimi.

Two other alleged insurgents were arrested during a separate Afghan operation in neighboring Ghazni province Wednesday, he told reporters Thursday.

Azimi also said an accidental explosion at an airport in the southern city of Kandahar on Thursday set three Afghan military trucks and some tents on fire, but declined to give details.


http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/...n-violence.html

Friday is the Muslim Holy Day so the news in Afghanistan is always slow on Fridays.
Nothing happening except some small time arms smuggler trying to use the Holy Day to deliver a few AK-47s.

Eight Kalashnikovs seized in Baghlan
By Sher Mohammad Jahish
PUL-I-KHUMRI, August 12 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Highway police in the northern Baghlan province claimed capturing eight Ak-47 assault rifles near the Doshi district on Friday.

The police also detained a smuggler Noor Khan (25), who was allegedly carrying the arms from Takhar to the Parwan province.

Abdul Latif, a senior officer of the Highway police told Pajhwok Afghan News police stopped a suspected car on the Kabul-Mazar-i-Sharif Highway. On search, they recovered eight Kalashnikovs from its secret cavities.

The officer said investigation had been started from the driver, who disclosed he was resident of Takhar and was smuggling the weapons to the Parvan province.

General Mohammad Khalil, another senior officer of the Highway police, feared there might be a dangerous plan behind the smuggling of the weapons as parliamentary elections were less than 10 weeks away.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5800

http://www.kfor.com/Global/story.asp?S=3708956


QALAT, Afghanistan The U-S military denies it killed civilians during fighting this week in southern Afghanistan.
Residents of a remote village say U-S planes bombed houses in operations against militants. Locals say the bombs killed several civilians and wounded others. A villager says his month and-a-half old grandson was wounded.

A governor in the area says the U-S-led forces "made a mistake" during recent operations, but hasn't provided any details.

The U-S military says civilians weren't in the area of Monday's fighting. The military has said that 18 suspected militants and an American died in a clash. Five Americans have died in action in Afghanistan in the past week.

Women affairs department opens in Laghman
By Abdul Moeed Hashmi
MEHTARLAM, August 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The women affairs department started work in the eastern Laghman province on Saturday.

The building completed by the Relief International – a non-governmental organisation – at the cost of $100,000, was inaugurated by Minister for Women Affairs Dr Masooda Jalal. The newly-inaugurated construction has 12 rooms and a number of apartments.

Talking to Pajhwok Afghan News, the minister said women should step forward and fully participate in the oncoming parliamentary elections to ensure their rights in the future set up.

"Afghanistan is an Islamic country and the holy religion preaches full rights for females," she said, urging women to start practical struggle for getting their rights in line with the teachings of Islam.

Head of the women affairs department Shirin Taj said they had established and introduced several schools, learning courses and health facilities in the province over the past three and a half years.

She confessed they had failed to discourage forced marriages and the evil practice of given away girls to solve disputes and enmities. However, she hoped, efforts would be enhanced to achieve success on that front in the days ahead.

Shafiqa, a female participant, on the occasion, lashed out at the government's alleged sluggishness in solving problems of women in the province. She said the department concerned was existed in the name, while it had done nothing concrete for the women lot.

She lamented the hapless women were continued to enter into forced marriages and given away to solve enmities and disputes.


Translated by Daud

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5851

Three-day handicraft exhibition begins in Kabul
By Zainab Mohaqiq
KABUL, August 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A rich variety of traditional handicrafts produced by Afghan women went on display at Bagh-i-Zanana here on Sunday, with participants underlining the need for proper marketing of the products.

Women Affairs Ministry official Nooria Banwal said 17 stalls at the exhibition - part of a comprehensive Independence Day celebration programme - showcased more than 500 items including carpets, embroidery and finery dexterously made by Afghan women.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, she said the handcrafts - reflecting the skills of Turkmen and Hazara women - would be up for sale till Tuesday. She added a large number of visitors flocked to the stalls to see and purchase the deftly-crafted items.

In Afghan society, womenfolk have been enormously supportive of men in generating family income through variegated activities like sewing, needlework, embroidery, knitting and weaving.

The Afghan handicrafts are in great demand worldwide, but a deficient marketing strategy is a major reason for their being undervalued. Additionally, the handicrafts have failed to reach potential markets for want of efficient export mechanisms.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5858

$54 million pledged for poppy eradication in Badakhshan, Sar-i-Pul
By Zubair Babakarkhail
KABUL, August 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom (UK) Sunday announced a $54 million aid for poppy eradication in the Badakhshan and Sar-i-Pul provinces.

The announcement was made during a ceremony held here which was largely attended by officials of the ministries of Interior, Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Counter Narcotics, and Agriculture, the USAID and representatives of the American Embassy in Kabul.

The amount will be spent under the alternative livelihood project to divert poppy growers from drug production to other businesses and occupations.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Counter Narcotics Habibullah Qadri said under the scheme, $49 million will be spent in Badakhshan and five million in the Sar-i-pul province.

The minister said the disparity in the allocated amount for the two provinces was because Badakhshan was a far-flung and bordering province where the infrastructure was collapsed and needed massive amount to bring reforms in all sectors.

Addressing the participants, secretary to Badakhshan governor Abdul Majid said they were out to strictly prohibit poppy cultivation in the province, adding there was an 80 per cent decline in poppy growing this year. He said the province was notorious for opium production but the recent drive against poppy cultivation had shown substantial achievement.

Addressing the function, deputy of the Counter Narcotics branch in the Interior Ministry General Daud Daud said 400 hectors of poppy farm had been destroyed in Badkhshan this year.

Earlier, governmental officials and tribal elders from Laghman, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Balkh and Samangan provinces had been invited to Kabul to kick off the poppy eradication drive in those provinces.

A survey conducted by the United Nation Office on Drug and Crimes (UNODC) some three months back revealed an increase in poppy cultivation in Kandahar, Farah, Badghis, Baghlan and Sar-i-pul provinces.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5873

More commanders abjure violence, support government
By Ezatullah Zawab & Ilyas Wahdat
ASADABAD/GARDEZ, August 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A commander, involved in a string of clashes with security forces, surrendered to the government along with 18 supporters in the restive eastern province of Kunar on Sunday.

Kunar Governor Asadullah Wafa told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban-linked commander Ismail joined the government as a result of efforts by local tribal elders. The governor added Ismail had also pledged to give in his weapons.

Officials claim more than 45 commanders, who often attacked security personnel and government functionaries, have lent their weight to the government since spring. All of them have renounced violence, with some standing for the upcoming parliamentary elections, slated for mid-September.

A day earlier, another Taliban commander had announced laying down arms and support to the government in the southeastern province of Paktika. As part of the ongoing national reconciliation campaign, he went into peace talks with the authorities before abjuring militancy.

The intelligence chief of the neighboring Khost province, where Maulavi Shamsul Rahman Zadran joined the government at a ceremony, told Pajhwok Afghan News the commander had spearheaded a number attacks in the region on Afghan and coalition troops.

Sadeq Tarakhel added Zadran, hailing from Naka district of Paktika, was a close confidant of Maulavi Jalaluddin Haqqani, a member of Taliban leadership council.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5877

Two commanders surrender arms in Nangarhar
By Ezatullah Zawab
JALALABAD, August 14 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Two commanders in the Dara-i- Noor district in the eastern Nangarhar province surrendered arms to Afghan National Army (ANA), officials said on Sunday.

Commander of the second military corps General Aminullah Patianai told Pajhwok Afghan News commanders Golina and Allah Nazar were loyalists of Hazrat Ali, former mujahideen commander and chief of the Nangarhar police.

The surrendered arms included 400 bullets of 82mm artillery, three machine-guns, five mortars, eight heavy arms and some light weapons, he added.

Speaking to this news agency the two commanders demanded of the government to accelerate the reconstruction efforts in the region. "We don't need these weapons any more and therefore surrendered it to the government," they argued.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5888

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5905

August 15, 2005

Kandahar blaze kills 7 drivers, destroys 5 oil tankers
By Saeed Zabuli

KANDAHAR CITY, August 15 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Seven drivers were killed as a huge fire broke out following a gas cylinder blast near a convoy of oil takers on the Kandahar-Herat Highway Sunday night.

Officials said five oil tankers were burned to ashes in the incident. However, they stopped short of saying if the ill-fated vehicles were supplying oil to US forces stationed in the area.

Kandahar deputy security chief Colonel Abdul Hakim Angar told Pajhwok Afghan News the blaze erupted as one of the victims, probably a conductor, tried to light a gas cylinder for cooking food.

The cylinder exploded resulting in the blaze. He said seven drivers were killed on the spot and five oil tankers gutted down. The official did not disclose the identities of the dead.

Vehicles, mostly Pakistanis, supplying oil and food to the coalition forces in southern parts of Afghanistan often come under attack from Taliban. A number of drivers have been killed and their vehicles torched following the stepped-up terrorist attacks in the region.

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/4856216/detail.html

17 Spanish Troops Killed In Chopper Crash In Afghanistan

POSTED: 6:43 am EDT August 16, 2005
UPDATED: 8:19 am EDT August 16, 2005

MADRID, Spain -- A helicopter belonging to the NATO-led international security force crashed in Afghanistan Tuesday, and an official at Spain's Defense Ministry said 17 Spanish troops had been killed.

Rescuers reached the crash site near the western city of Herat, said Squadron Leader Andie Tolan, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force.

Spanish National Radio reported that another helicopter in the region also had to make an emergency landing.

The Defense Ministry official, who asked not to be identified, said 12 soldiers and five crew died. The cause of the crash was not known, the official said.

Canada takes over PRT command in Kandahar
By Saeed Zabuli
KANDAHAR CITY, August 16 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Canada took over from the US the command of a local civil-military reconstruction team (PRT) in the southern province of Kandahar on Tuesday.

Charge of the PRT compound was also transferred to Canada from US troops, who operated from the site over the last two years. Roughly 250 Canadian soldiers - more than double the size of the American force - will be in charge of the team for the next six months.

Addressing a ceremony marking the transfer of command, Canadian ambassador to Kabul Chris Alexander said their main effort would be to strengthen security in the restive province.

Among others, officials of interior and defence ministries, Kandahar Governor Asadullah Khaled, new commander of the team Colonel Steve Bowes and his predecessor were present on the occasion.

He added the PRT would pursue its goals while trying to forge a close understanding with local people. "From now on, Kandahar residents and officials will enjoy our work based on their views and consultations," Ambassador Alexander vowed.

Canada's flag was hoisted on the PRT compound as Colonel Steve Bowes took over the command of the team.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6003

Mole crickets destroy grape gardens in Parwan
By Farid Tanha & Zainab Mohaqeq
CHARIKAR, August 16 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Grape orchards in the central Parwan province are facing a serious threat as swarms of mole crickets attack the roots leaving thousands of plants defoliated.

Farmers in the Bagram district of the province feared if quick steps were not taken to control the attack, the insects would fully destroy the plants in the next few weeks. Some non-governmental organisations (NOGs) had helped the farmers to plant grape orchards to boost agriculture in the province.

Gul Mohammad, owner of a grape garden in Bagram, said: "The winged insects have attacked the garden and I don’t think we will have as much grapes as last year." Plants protection official in the Parwan province Lala Mir confirmed the attack saying the insects first hit the roots and then damage the stem and leaves.

Chief of the provincial agriculture and livestock department Abdul Hafiz Hadid told Pajhwok Afghan News 16 million plants were existed in the province but the two and half decades of war and the recent insects attack had reduced the number to 800. He said the mostly damaged area is the Totam Dara, central part of the province, where the plants were badly affected by the insects.

Mir Agha, another gardener, complained the agriculture department had done nothing to control the situation and save the plants from destruction. But Lala Mir said they had little resources to help the farmers.

Tro Ardam, representative of the US agriculture ministry in the Provincial Reconstruction Team, said they planned to train farmers on new agriculture techniques in Parwan, Kapisa, Panjshir and Kabul provinces.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5973

17 Spanish peacekeepers killed in Herat crash
By Zubair Babakarkhel
KABUL, August 16 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Seventeen Spanish troops were killed when a helicopter of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) crashed north of the western Herat city on Tuesday.

The Puma chopper was on an exercise when it went down south of a Spanish base near Herat airport, an ISAF spokesman in Kabul said. He added a number of troops had been killed in the crash, whose cause was yet to be ascertained.

A team has been sent to the site to probe the fatal incident, Lieutenant Colonel Riccardo Cristoni told Pajhwok Afghan News. The accident took place at around 1.00pm, the spokesman said.

As many as 62 Spanish service members were killed in 2003 when a plane carrying them from Afghanistan crashed in Turkey. Killed in Tuesday's tragedy were 12 troops and a five-member crew.

Confirming the crash, an unnamed defence ministry official in Madrid said 17 Spanish peacekeepers had perished. According to unconfirmed report, another helicopter in the region also made an emergency landing, injuring some of those on board.

In June, it will be pertinent to recall, Spain had pledged to send 500 additional troops for deployment in Afghanistan ahead of the September 18 elections.


Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=5970

There it is!

http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?N...24818&PageNum=0

AKTAU, August 17 (Itar-Tass) -- Instability in Afghanistan and growing activity by terrorist organizations complicate the situation in Central Asia, the chief of the CIS anti-terrorist center, Colonel-General Boris Mylnikov has said.

He was speaking at the opening of an anti-terrorist command staff exercise in the Caspian.

“The Afghan society is on the brink of another civil war and this may have adverse effects on the situation in the whole region of Central Asia,” Mylnikov said.

He recalled that secret services back in 2002 warned that the leaders of Al-Qaeda and Taliban had regrouped their forces with the aim to destabilize situations in Central Asian countries. In their efforts they have extensively used the terrorist organization Hizb ut-Tahrir, banned in many countries.

“Last May’s unrest in the Uzbek city of Andijan was a confirmation of this. As it has been established, Hizb ut-Tahrir militants participated in violence there that claimed 176 lives,” the chief of the CIS anti-terrorist center said.

Taking part in the anti-terrorist exercise in the Caspian are the chiefs of anti-terrorist units and secret services from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as officials from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the CIS anti-aircraft defense allied command.

Officials from the Iranian Security Ministry attend the exercise in the capacity of observers for the first time.

Afghan election campaign gets under way
By Makia Monir
KABUL, August 17 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Campaigning for the landmark parliamentary elections officially began on Wednesday, giving about 6000 candidates a chance to highlight their programmes on radio and television.

The joint UN-Afghan poll panel announced the campaign would continue till September 15, two days ahead of polling day (September 18). The election commission has already spelled out rules and regulations for the use of the electronic media by poll contenders.

Already there have been rallies and distribution of posters and leaflets ever since the Joint Election Management Body (JEMB) issued a final list of candidates, but now they can use media outlets for their campaigns.

Bismillah Bismil, chairman of the Joint Electoral Management Body, told a news conference here the candidates could make use of a JEMB-sponsored advertisement system, supervised by the panel's media wing.

"This facility will enable candidates to produce and broadcast campaign advertisements on radio and television free of charge, courtesy donors, for an equal amount of airtime," said Bismil.

About 2,000 hopefuls are in the field for 249 seats of the Wolesi Jirga (lower house of parliament) and more than 3,000 standing for provincial councils. Elections to both legislative forums are slated for September 18.

John Matisonn, head of JEMB's Media Commission monitoring the media campaign, said there were 76 radio and TV stations available across the country that candidates could use.

Each Wolesi Jirga candidate will be allocated an advertisement of five minutes to be broadcast twice on radio or one advertisement of two minutes to be broadcast twice on television.

Provincial Council candidates will be entitled to one advertisement of four minutes broadcast once on radio or one advertisement of two minutes aired once on television.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6053

Pir Baba-XI trounce Logar to emerge champs
By Jawed Hamim & Frozan Danish Rahmani
KABUL, August 17 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The Pir Baba XI Wednesday emerged champions in an inter-provincial cricket tournament organised here as part of Afghan Independence Day celebrations.

In the fairly one-sided final played at the Hazoori Chaman ground, the Pir Baba XI thrashed the Logar team by 49 runs to lift the trophy at stake.

The Pir Baba XI opted to bat first after winning the toss and scored 120 runs in the limited 20-over-a-side game, with Noorul Haq top-scoring (33).

Mohammad Nabi and Ahmad Shah shone with the ball for the Logar XI, chalking up three and two wickets respectively, as the rest of the bowlers failed to penetrate the opposition line-up.

In reply, Logar were bundled out for 81 in 18 overs, thanks to fiery spells from Hasti Gul and Karim, who respectively got four and two scalps.

No Logar batsman was able to demonstrate any degree of aplomb, application or concentration, with the result that their wickets kept tumbling one after another.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, skipper of the losing side Hayatullah admitted poor batting let them down in the final encounter. He believed the victory target was attainable, but his boys could not play to a game plan.

Later, prizes were distributed to players, with Pir Baba captain Hasti Gul receiving the winners' trophy from Shahzada Masood, head of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation, who was the chief guest on the occasion.

Gul also grabbed the man of the match and man of the tournament awards while Rehmat Wali and Mohammad Nabi of the Khost and Lugar teams were adjudged best batsman and bowler of the tournament respectively.

Expressing his satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the tournament, Director of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation Shahzada Masood said a lot of new talent had come to the fore during the 10-day tournament.

Complaining of the government's lack of interest in patronising sport events in the country, Masood said even the central capital did not have a proper cricket ground.

Taj Malook, Secretary General of the Afghanistan Cricket Federation, said 20 teams from provinces, centre and some private companies took part in the event sponsored by the Pir Paba Company Limited.


Translated by Daud, edited by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6040

More cell-phone companies to get licences
By Mustafa Basharat
KABUL, August 17 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Five more cell-phone companies have expressed their willingness to launch services in Afghanistan, officials told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Al-Kozay, National Kam International, Watan Mobile Company, and two firms from Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are ready to launch operations in Afghanistan, where Roshan and the Afghan Wireless Communication Company (AWCC) are already active.

Earlier, the Communication Ministry had announced 80 companies were interested in getting licenses for launching services in Afghanistan. But in the final analysis, five of them have stepped forward to accept the government's terms and conditions.

In mid-June, the ministry had said the government would permit two more mobile companies to function, on terms and conditions different from those agreed with Roshan and AWCC.

Communication Minister Amirzai Sangeen, speaking at a conference here the other day, said the ministry would accept applications from more private companies after August 25. He added offers given by the five cell-phone companies would be reviewed and only two would be issued work licenses.

Companies with more experience, resources, expertise in the field and readiness to pay greater profit shares to the government would be allowed to operate, he continued, hoping the step would increase domestic revenue besides spurring competition among entrepreneurs.

Regarding the existing number of Afghan consumers, Sangeen said three per cent of the country's population used the cell-phone facility while the number might go up in January next.

The AWCC and Roshan had paid $16 million to the government, but the revenues would touch $50 million with the arrival of more companies over the next five years, the minister reckoned.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6020

http://story.irishsun.com/p.x/ct/9/id/1c5e...11cd3571b4f088/

Afghanistan faces more Taliban violence -UN report
16 Aug 2005


By Bill Rigby

UNITED NATIONS, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A resurgent Taliban, a rampant drug trade and persistent corruption are hampering Afghanistan's reconstruction and threatening next month's elections, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Tuesday.

The country urgently needs extra funding to prevent any further delay in parliamentary and provincial elections now set for Sept. 18, Annan said. The elections were originally expected in October 2004.

With the elections just weeks away, some $31 million is needed to avoid any slippage in the technical preparations for the elections, the U.N. leader said in his latest progress report on the central Asian nation of some 30 million people.

Annan said the country faces a worrying resurgence of violence despite the presence of 8,000 peacekeepers under NATO command and about 18,000 U.S. troops.

"Afghanistan today is suffering from a level of insecurity, especially in the south and parts of the east, not seen since the departure of the Taliban," his report said. "There have been troubling indications that remnants of the Taliban and other extremist groups are reorganizing."

'NO SIMPLE ANSWER'

Bombings and mine explosions in May were up 40 percent from the previous year in the south and southeast, Annan said.

He blamed the increase on extremist groups -- some claiming allegiance to the Taliban and al Qaeda -- extending their attacks beyond international targets to local community leaders and pro-government clerics.

Afghanistan is also struggling with a thriving drug trade, corruption and a weak economy as it inches toward democratic parliamentary rule and a sound legal system, the report said.

"The money generated from narcotics production and trafficking is used to fund crime, corruption, illegal armed groups and extremist elements," Annan said. Afghanistan is the world's largest opium producer, supplying nearly 87 percent of the world's supply, according to the United Nations.

The drug trade accounts for about 60 percent of Afghanistan's gross domestic product, hampering legitimate economic growth. The economy grew 7.5 percent last year, according to the International Monetary Fund, below the country's recovery target of 9 percent.

Government revenues are expected to average less than $400 million per year until 2008, less than half of the projected spending on public-sector salaries and operations, Annan said. The government is not expected to cover its own costs until 2013.

"There is no simple answer to the problems of extremist violence and terrorism," he said. "The government of Afghanistan must do its share to address them, in particular by tackling forcefully official corruption and ineffectiveness, which undermine the population's confidence in government institutions."

For those of you endorsing the return of the Taliban

Man burns 15-year-old spouse in Kandahar
By Mohibullah Rokhan
KANDAHAR CITY, August 18 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A pettifogging man, irked by a family tiff, burnt his teen-aged wife in the southern Kandahar province on Thursday.

Writhing on a bed in Mirwais Hospital here, Chaar Gulai told Pajhwok Afghan News she suffered burn injuries after being pushed into a raging fire by her hubby - provoked by his mother's taunts.

A resident of the Yakh Karez neighbourhood, the screaming girl complained her spouse took the extreme step at the instigation of her mother-in-law, "who showed him dried soap specks on a bucket I had washed."

Chaar Gulai, who squarely held her mother-in-law responsible for the tragedy, alleged the old woman infuriated her son by jeering him. "Look guy, this is how your wife has cleaned the tub after washing-up."

Adding fuel to the flames, the girl's sister-in-law too sneered at her brother: "You can't tame your sweetie. And the taunt incited him to hit me with the rod before pushing me into the fire, as the rest of the family watched."

At her beside in the hospital, the girl's tearful mother asked: "What is the fault of my daughter, whom we married off three months back amid high hopes for her happy future?"

The distraught women added: "More sinned against than sinning, my daughter is thrashed every now and then by her callous life-partner who has not yet come to the hospital to see Chaar Gulai."

Dr. Najibullah, in charge of the surgery ward, said: "On duty when the victim was rushed to the hospital, I had her admitted. By the grace of Allah, she is out of danger. Her injuries are not life-threatening."

Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6113

US says Taliban can't scuttle Afghan elections
By Zubair Babakarkhel
KABUL, August 18 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The United States has hoped the first post-Taliban legislative election would be held on schedule in a peaceful manner, saying insurgents have no ability to scuttle the landmark vote.

In his first media appearance in Kabul after replacing Zalmay Khalilzad, Ambassador Ronald Neumann asserted Taliban were no longer in a position to disrupt the polls, slated for September 18.

He added their would be enough security forces in place - about 20,000 US troops in the shambolic south and east and 10,000 NATO peacekeepers in the north and west in addition to 80,000 Afghan policemen - to secure the elections.

Neumann pointed out the strength of the Afghan National Army (ANA) had considerably increased since the presidential ballot, held peacefully in November 2004, despite militant threats to spoil the process.

Acknowledging Afghanistan had witnessed more violent in the run-up to the lower house and provincial council elections, the ambassador assured security would be beefed up to enable people to vote for candidates of their choice.

For their part, Taliban have repeatedly vowed to scuttle the vote by mounting attacks on security personnel and government functionaries. Belying US claims militants are on the run following a string of anti-insurgency operations, Taliban have stepped up their activities in the south and east.

In the bloody build-up to the elections, almost 1,000 people have been killed in militant-linked violence over the last few months. Posing a major challenge for the government, the escalating Taliban attacks have caused a widespread sense of insecurity among the people.

But the American diplomat reiterated Taliban could not stop the election. "They will not even come close. When millions of people want to vote, they will go (to) vote," observed the ambassador, who was confident the security challenge would be tackled successfully.

The ambassador said his country remained committed to the welfare and prosperity of its close ally, Afghanistan, and that Washington's policy towards Kabul would stay unchanged even after the departure of his predecessor.

About the drug commerce, the ambassador remarked the US was gravely concerned at opium production and trafficking in Afghanistan. He thought without the elimination of drugs, the dream of building a strong Afghanistan would continue to elude the international community.

Describing press freedom imperative for a vibrant civil society, Neumann stressed complete working autonomy for journalists in Afghanistan. But in the same breath, he urged the media to purvey accurate information to people.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6110

China suggests deepening friendship, trade with Afghanistan
By Syed Anwer

Chinese ambassador to Kabul Liu Jian
KABUL, August 18 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Pledging all possible cooperation in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, China has suggested a trilateral trade agreement among Kabul, Beijing and Dushanbe on transit of goods.

In an exclusive interview wit Pajhwok Afghan News, the Chinese ambassador to Kabul Liu Jian said the People's Republic of China was playing an active role in the promotion of education and media development in Afghanistan in addition to training Afghan officials.

Here are the excerpts:

Q 1: A key-member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), what is China's stance on the presence of foreign forces in Afghanistan?

A: First of all, I would like to brief you on China's policy towards Afghanistan. China fully respects Afghanistan's independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty. It is the people and government of Afghanistan who have the right to decide the country's political and development form and its future. Afghanistan today is at a crucial juncture moving from chaos to order. While the government and people of Afghanistan are sparing no efforts to rebuild the economy, the international community should share the common responsibility and obligation to support and help Afghans with its reconstruction China will do its utmost to assist Afghanistan's rebuilding. China's friendship with Afghanistan has a 2000-year long history. At the beginning of this year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic ties with Afghanistan. Fifty years has passed, we have since witnessed smooth development of good-neighborly friendship between the two countries on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. The friendship has won the support of the two peoples. I remember Afghan leaders saying China had never interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs but always helped this country. China is a reliable friend of Afghanistan. Coming to your query, it is Afghanistan's government and people who should decide whether or not foreign troops should stay in the landlocked country, or how long they should stay. China hopes this arrangement will be conducive to peace and stability in Afghanistan and also in the region.

Q 2- After the fall of Taliban, what kind of role China has so far played in the war on terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and in restoration of peace in Afghanistan?

A: For many years, China remained concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. China's only objective is to see an early restoration of peace in Afghanistan. When Afghanistan started its march towards peace, China offered all-out assistance in rebuilding the country. In fact, China is among the first countries offering economic assistance and encourages the well-established Chinese enterprises to come to Afghanistan for investment and trade. China has been a long-time supporter and active participant of the Bonn Process. China is also among the countries that endorsed the anti-narcotics declaration. China will implement in real earnest the relevant declarations and vigorously strengthen its good-neighborly and friendly relations with Afghanistan in accordance with the principle of building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries. Our country has offered to supply alternative seeds to Afghan farmers to discourage poppy cultivation. China hopes to see long-term stability in Afghanistan and we support the Afghan government in its efforts to maintain stability and stand ready to strengthen bilateral cooperation in police, the training of police and anti-drug officers. A peaceful, prosperous and stable Afghanistan is not only a longstanding desire of the Afghans alone, but the Chinese also share that desire.

Q 3- Analysts believe neighboring countries are still meddling in Afghanistan. What is your opinion?

A: As you said analysts believe this, without presenting any proofs. Unless I have solid proofs, it is difficult for me to comment on the subject.

Q 4- Afghanistan is considered a big market for Chinese products. What kind of facilities you have extended or planned to provide in future to Afghan traders?

A: The Sino-Afghan trade volume in 2002 was about $25 million. Last year, according to Afghanistan statistics, the trade between the two countries accounted for $380 million. We should encourage people on both sides to exchange visits to further boost these links. Last year, 5000 Afghans, mostly businessmen, visited China while the number may reach 7000 by the end of this year. The second thing is that we should establish a banking credit system between the two countries because carrying cash involves a lot of risks for businessmen.

Q 5- Afghan traders are facing problems importing goods from China due to non-availability of any road link. Does your country plan constructing the Silk route linking China to Badakhshan?

A: The suggestion regarding the construction of the Silk route linking China, Afghanistan and Central Asian states is under consideration. China and Afghanistan share a small border line, about 92 kilometres in length. Your proposed route goes through high mountains and the weather is often very cold. So it is not an ideal option to build a road through the rugged mountains. There is a main trade route from China to Afghanistan via Pakistan. Last year, China opened border trade with Tajikistan and there is a road from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. The two countries can also use that route. We suggest that China, Afghanistan and Tajikistan should sign a protocol on transit of goods.

Q 6: How is China aiding the industrialization process in Afghanistan?

A: We encourage Chinese entrepreneurs and businessmen to visit Afghanistan. At present, more than 100 Chinese businessmen are here involved in different projects including road construction, telecommunications and other sectors. Many Chinese businessmen are ready to set up industries in Afghanistan but they are waiting for improvement in the situation. As soon as the investment environment improves, they will start investing here.

Q 7: Would you like to throw light on Beijing's role in the ongoing reconstruction effort in Afghanistan?

A: China in fact is among the first countries who offered assistance to Afghanistan. In January 2002, Beijing offered $150 million to the Afghan government, the biggest amount China has given to any foreign country. About the ongoing reconstruction process, China is working on Parwan Water and Irrigation Project and the construction of a new hospital in Kabul will break ground very soon. We are now discussing some other possible projects with the Afghan government. China is ready to provide all possible assistance within its capability to Afghanistan.

Q 8: What is China's contribution to the promotion of education and media development in Afghanistan?

A: Media plays the role of a bridge between nations and I hope Pajhwok would play a positive part in this regard. We have invited 15 Afghan journalists to China, in return Chinese media team visited Afghanistan last year. We have already decided to invite another eight female Afghan journalists to China next year to visit different media outlets there. As far as the education sector is concerned, we need young people to help cement Sino-Afghan friendship. With this in mind, we have offered Afghan youths some scholarships. Some Afghan youths are now in China for education. Besides, we arranged training courses for Afghan officials. Last year 15 Afghan diplomats received training in China and this year we have 30 Afghan officials for the training course.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6071

http://www.gadsdentimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...572&cachetime=5

Published August 19. 2005

U.S. Losses Mount Ahead of Afghan Vote

By AMIR SHAH
Associated Press Writer

Militants clashed with coalition forces in eastern Afghanistan, killing a U.S. Marine and an Afghan government soldier, as violence flared ahead of the nation's key legislative elections, the U.S. military said Friday.

The clash, in which four Afghan soldiers were wounded, occurred near Asadabad in the volatile eastern province of Kunar - the site last month of the heaviest coalition losses since the start of Operation Enduring Freedom, which ousted the hardline Taliban regime in late 2001.

U.S. officials have warned that fighting could escalate ahead of the Sept. 18 parliamentary and provincial assembly elections, seen as the next step in building Afghanistan's democracy after a quarter-century of civil strife and war.

Taliban-led rebels have vowed to sabotage the vote, and fighting in the south and the east has led to increasing American casualties as coalition troops mount their own offensives to quell the violence.

The U.S. military also reported that a roadside bomb Thursday killed two U.S. soldiers and wounded two others who were protecting road workers on a U.S.-funded project in southern Kandahar province, a former Taliban stronghold.

Some 183 U.S. service members have been killed in and around Afghanistan since the Taliban regime was toppled. But a surge in violence since winter has killed about 1,000 people in Afghanistan - including 60 American soldiers.

Afghans attend journalist training course in Berlin
By Shah Mahmood Haroon

KABUL, August 17 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Two Afghan trainers participated in a two-month training course for Asian and African journalists held in Berlin. The course, held at the International Journalism Institute (IIJ), got under way on June 8 and concluded on August 9, with 15 participants from Asian and African countries.

“The idea behind the courses for trainers is obviously that they have the greatest influence on beginners and have to teach them the basics. If they get it wrong, how can one expect young journalists to improve?” IIJ Director Perter Prüfert said.

He added the course was aimed at improving journalistic standards so as to accurately inform people in a democratic polity of the developments taking place around the globe, and highlight community issues in a healthy way.

Journalists and university teachers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Zambia, Colombia, Kenya, Ghana, Malawi, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda received insightful lectures on different aspects of journalism.

The lectures focused on teaching inventory, learning agreement, mentality behind teaching, communication styles, core statements, body language and intonation, problems with classroom discussions, their solution, role-plays, student needs, content derivation, techniques and strategies, working with groups, planning and designing a lesson and learning evaluation.

A Cambodian participant, lecturer at the Cambodia Communication Institute, said: “I learned a lot of new teaching methods and I will try to use them in the classroom in my country.” TOT Trainer Christina Stucky went on: “I have a good memory of this course and won't forget the play-role and energizing examples that you gave in the class.”

From July 4 to 12, an excursion tour inside Germany was arranged for the participants, who visited cities including Leipzig, Nuremberg, Düsseldorf, Essen and Bremen. They also visited Leipzig University, Holzlorinck Journalism School, offices of Numberger and Nachrichten newspapers and exchanged views with officials concerned.

“Our class strength tends to be more than 50 and I can easily divide them into small groups for exercise,” said Abdul Azim Noorbakhsh, lecturer in journalism at the Kabul University.

Founded in 1962, the IIJ has so far arranged many training programmes that benefited 6,000 journalists from more than 120 countries. Ten participants from Afghanistan participated in IIJ programmes past years.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6015

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4166458.stm

US marine dies in Afghan fighting
A US marine and an Afghan soldier have been killed in a clash with suspected militants in eastern Afghanistan, the US military has said.

Four Afghan soldiers were also injured in the clash, north-west of Kunar's capital, Asadabad, on Thursday.

US-led forces have been engaged in an operation in Kunar province, where 19 US personnel were killed in June.

Disarmed commanders get training certificates
By Mustafa Basharat
KABUL, August 20 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Twenty former commanders, disarmed in the first phase of the DDR process, were issued certificates on the conclusion of a month-long training in fields of commerce and human rights on Saturday.

A spokesman for Afghanistan's New Beginning Programme (ANBP) said the 20 erstwhile commanders trained were among 200 who had surrendered weapons and opted for a return to civil life as a result of the disarmament plan.

Ahmad Jan Noorzadi, in charge of the ANBP press office, said similar training courses were being mulled for the remaining people to help them reintegrate into the national mainstream. The training programme is being pursued by the ANBP with financial assistance from the Japanese government.

Although some participants viewed the step as useful, others said the course was not enough to resolve their fiscal hardships. In addition to training plans, they underlined alternative sources of income for the former commanders

Gen. Mohammad Sabir, former deputy commander of the now dismantled Kandahar corps, observed: "Over the last 25 years, foreign foes trained us for the destruction of Afghanistan. But it's the first course that taught us how to strengthen peace."

But Muzaffaruddin, another trainee, said the course alone could not resolve his financial problems. "The government, which had assured to provide us jobs, seems to have forgotten its promise," he remarked.


Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6157

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=51412

Attack on Bulgarian Troops in Kabul

Politics: 19 August 2005, Friday.

Unidentified assailants attacked a multinational patrol of the military police near the town of Kabul Friday night.

The patrol included Bulgarian troops.

No casualties were reported. The patrol's automobile has been lightly damaged.

At the beginning of July the Bulgarian government decided to enlarge its contingent in Afghanistan with another 18 troops as of February next year.

Earlier in February the parliament approved sending another 30 soldiers to boost the 50-strong Bulgarian Armed Forces for participation in the operation of International Security Assistance Force ISAF in the Asian country.

Afghan cricketers trounce ISAF by 175 runs
By Frozan Danish Rahmani
KABUL, August 20 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Nauroz and Hasti Gul powered the Afghan cricket side to a convincing 175-run triumph over a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) team in an utterly one-sided match played here on Saturday.

Taj Malook, secretary-general of Afghanistan's Cricket Federation (ACF), told Pajhwok Afghan News the national squad rattled up a mammoth 245 while batting first in the limited-overs encounter.

Nauroz and Hasti Gul, who were among the runs by hitting a breezy 65 and 48 respectively, also bowled fiery spells when the much weaker opposition launched a troubled chase of the imposing 246-run target.

The two bowlers, taking four wickets apiece, were simply too hot to handle for the ISAF line-up, who could manage to score a paltry 70 runs before being bundled out.

Because of his gutsy all-round performance, Hasti Gul was adjudged man of the match, Malook said, adding Afghanistan's National Olympic Committee distributed gifts among players from both sides.

ACF Director General Hayatullah informed this scribe the Afghan national team would soon visit Pakistan to play a number of friendly matches against different regional clubs and associations in the neighbouring country.

The tour will afford the Afghan cricketers an opportunity to gain exposure and big-match temperament. The U-17 Afghans, who were disqualified from the second round of the ACC tournament earlier in the month, too had toured Pakistan before flying to Malaysia.


Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6136

http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-08-21-voa15.cfm

Afghanistan Bombs Kill 4 US Soldiers, Wound 2 American Officials
By VOA News
21 August 2005

Two bomb explosions in Afghanistan, blamed on Taleban insurgents, have killed four American soldiers and wounded two U.S. Embassy officials.

A roadside bomb in southern Zabul province killed the four soldiers and wounded three others early Sunday. The area, Deh Chopan, has seen a surge of fighting in recent weeks, with more than 200 suspected militants killed.

Hours later, in the western outskirts of Kabul, a roadside bomb went off near a convoy of U.S. Embassy vehicles, slightly wounding two embassy officials.

In a separate incident, in southern Kandahar province, gunmen on motorcycles gunned down a senior pro-government cleric.

Violence in Afghanistan has surged in recent months as Taleban insurgents try to sabotage next month's parliamentary elections.

Some information for this report provided by AFP and Reuters.
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Afghan Army healthcare improves with clinic openings

By U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Leslie Brown Office of Security Cooperation-Afghanistan Public Affairs

KABUL , Afghanistan Aug. 6, 2005— The recent grand opening of the Afghan National Army’s Darulaman Garrison troop medical clinic marked the completion of the 201st Corps’ third new soldier healthcare facility.

The other 201st Corps clinics, located at the Pol-e-Charkhi Garrison and the Kabul Military Training Center , were completed in August 2004 and February 2005, respectively.

The opening of the new clinics is a clear indication of the ANA’s movement toward well-managed healthcare for its soldiers.

As the Afghan National Army continues to grow toward a final strength of 70,000 troops, the need for quality, accessible healthcare for its soldiers increases as well.

“The ANA is growing very quickly,” said Afghan Army Col. (Dr.) Gul Estani, the 201st Corps’ 1st Brigade surgeon. “Our healthcare assets must continue to keep up with this rapid pace so that we can provide the necessary care for our soldiers.”

Responsible for the daily status of his brigade’s medical equipment, supplies, training and personnel, Estani realizes the importance of quality healthcare for ANA soldiers. “If we fail to care for our soldiers it will have a negative impact on the ANA as a whole,” he said.

The new troop medical clinics not only provide daily sick-call for the soldiers, they also provide emergency medical treatment to units in training and on missions supporting ANA operations.

Of the three new clinics, KMTC is the busiest, since it supports the garrison as well as all of the soldiers undergoing ANA basic training.

“It was challenging supporting our soldiers here in our old clinic,” said Afghan Army Col. (Dr.) Ullah Obaid, commander at the KMTC clinic. “This new medical facility gives us the room, equipment and space that we need to properly treat our soldiers.”

On average, Obaid and his staff care for 200 troops per day. “We see more than 5,000 troops per month at our clinic for all types of problems,” he said.

Soldiers who have severe injuries or illnesses that can’t be treated at the clinic are transferred to the ANA National Military Hospital , which serves as the foundation of the Afghan Army’s military health program.

The new Darulaman troop medical clinic will help to ease the burden of care from the KMTC clinic since it will assume medical support responsibilities for the ANA recruiting facilities located in Kabul . The new clinic will soon provide physical examinations for ANA recruits processing through the area’s recruiting facilities.

The three new facilities provide the 201st Corps’ medical staffs with resources and capabilities previously unavailable.

“Our new buildings are very luxurious,” Obaid said. “We have a nice records management room, and everyone who comes into the clinics can register himself.” Because of the new facilities and equipment, Obaid has been able to start tracking the number and types of visits by soldiers, compiling an extensive log of the various ailments affecting them.

Obaid believes the data being collected now will someday be used to track and predict increases in diseases at certain times of the year, which can then be used to mitigate or eliminate disease-related training detractors.

“This new facility and equipment will help us better care for our soldiers,” Obaid said. “Soon we will be able to stop many common problems and keep our soldiers healthy and strong.”

http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/Stories/08_05/10.htm

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2005/Aug/20050821News019.asp

Two U.S. soldiers die while in Afghanistan

Published Sunday, August 21, 2005

FORT LEWIS, Wash. (AP) - Two soldiers from Fort Lewis died in Afghanistan when their Humvee struck a land mine.

Sgt. Robert Davis, 23, of Jackson, Mo., and 1st Lt. Laura Walker, 24, of Texas died Thursday as their convoy traveled along a road near the southern city of Kandahar. Two other soldiers were injured in the blast.

The deaths were reported Friday on the Department of Defense’s Web site.

Davis and Walker were assigned to the 864th Engineer Combat Battalion, 555th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based at this Army post south of Tacoma. The 400-member battalion deployed to Afghanistan in March after a yearlong deployment in Iraq.

http://www.fox6.com/news/national/story.as...18-880F3E9BCC13

August 22, 2005

2005 Deadly for U.S. In Afghanistan

This year has been the deadliest for the U.S. military in Afghanistan since 2001, with more violence expected as the election approaches.

Of the 181 soldiers who have died in the country since the United States launched its invasion in October 2001, 65 have been killed this year, the New York Times reported. Four died Sunday when a bomb hit a military vehicle.

Afghani security officials say the pace of insurgent attacks on both U.S. and Afghan forces is increasing, out of a desire to disrupt the elections scheduled for Sept. 18 -- and because al-Qaida and Taliban loyalists are coming back to the country.

"The fact that fighters come across the border, that cannot be denied," Defense Minister Gen. Abdur Rahim Wardak told the Times. "There are more people crossing on mountain trails."

Female voters in Kandahar in need of poll awareness
By Ghausuddin Feroten & Mohib Roshan
KANDAHAR CITY, August 22 (Pajhwok Afghan News): With the landmark parliamentary election less than a month away, majority of female voters in this southern province do not know how to exercise their right and choose the right candidates.

The women folk, who view the voting a novel experience in this war-ravaged country, say although they have obtained the registration cards well in time, but clueless how to elect their representatives.

Karima (40), a housewife, when asked whom she want to vote, said: "What is all this hue and cry about election. We have recently voted to elect the president and now they are again asking us to revive the practice."

When told, this time, they were going to elect people to run the parliament she retorted with utter indifference that they did not make out what the whole process was meant for.

Referring to the parliamentary election, another woman, Ayesha said: "I have got the registration card and repeatedly hear the word on radio but don't know what it means."

Said Bibi, resident of the Loya Wayala area, who had come to the Malalai Hospital to get medical treatment, shared the same views. "Last time, we have elected the 'King' but don't know whom to choose this time," said the 45-year-old lady.

Although the official radio stations were doing enough to inform and educate the people and especially women about the polls, majority of them fail to get the message.

Robina, another housewife, said she used to hear the word whenever turn on radio but unable to understand its language. "My father-in-law is a regular listener and we too join him every now and then but can not understand the words parliament, president etc.

Rangina Hamidi, provincial head of the Afghanistan Civil Society, urged the ministries concerned to adopt concrete measures to inform and educate women about the oncoming parliamentary election.

She complained the women affairs department was paying lip-service and failed to take practical steps on this count. Some local NGOs have got funds from donors in the name of educating women ahead of the polls, but they too did nothing so far, Rangina continued.

Approached for comments by Pajhwok Afghan News, head of the Kandahar women affairs department Safia Amma Jan rejected the allegations. "All the women are fully aware of the election and the process involved in vote casting as they had the experience of the last year presidential elections," she argued. In the same breath, she said the department was short of funds and other resources to reach each and every house in the province.

Abdul Hadi Patmal, in charge of the public awareness programme run by Sayara, a media and communication organisation for the southwestern region, said they had planned 45 sessions for the region to educate women about the election. Of these, 25 have been allocated for Kandahar alone. However, poor participation often mars our efforts, he added.

The public awareness programme in Kandahar is assigned to the Afghan Development Association headed by Agha Khan Sherzad. Asked for comments, Sherzad expressed satisfaction over the progress of the drive saying: "A large number of people have registered their names signifying success of the programme."


jh/by/dk

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6281

Pakistan's EPB to organise trade fair in Kabul
By Pakhtun Sahar
ISLAMABAD, August 22 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) would arrange an exhibition of Pakistani products in Kabul in November, an official said on Monday.

EPB spokesman Shakir Hussain hoped the five-day trade fair, slated for November 21-25, would afford Pakistani entrepreneurs an opportunity to introduce their products to consumers across the border.

Last year's successful exhibition in Kabul had lent a huge boost to Pak-Afghan bilateral commercial links, said the spokesman, who put the annual trade volume between the neighbours at more than a billion dollars.

"A wide variety of machines, leather products, sports gears, surgical instruments, medicines, decoration pieces, food items, building materials, auto-spares, motorbikes, fans, etc, will go on display," he added.

Arbab Mohammad Ali, a Rawalpindi-based businessman, welcomed the EPB plan, saying the event would spur trade relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He recalled Afghan brethren had extended all-out cooperation to Pakistanis at last year's trade fair held in the Afghan capital. "Next month's exhibition will help further improve the two-way trade," he maintained.

A dry-fruit merchant in Peshawar, Mian Rahman was too eager to miss the chance. With an eye on Afghan market, he is determined to come to Kabul and explore business opportunities.


Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6270

Murdered in Afghanistan?


At Camp Casey in Crawford Texas, of course there are a very many people who have a heartbreaking story to tell. They are the families of the soldiers who have died in a war started because of a lie. Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for what they believed in only for those who survived them to find out that they’ve been lied to and their sons and daughters, mothers and fathers have died for nothing. And no, I’m not talking just about the Iraq War today. I’m talking about the war we were lied into before Iraq: I’m talking about the invasion of Afghanistan.

If you have finally come to the realization that George W. Bush and his entire administration have lied to you about the reasons for the Iraq War, then it only stands to reason that you are about to break into another realization. And that is – that reality – is that the invasion of Afghanistan was another war built on lies. Without the invasion of Afghanistan, there would have never been an invasion of Iraq. These two events are not separate entities. From the day George W. Bush lied and said that "Terrorists hate our freedoms" and that 9/11 was an "act of war" and not a crime, was the day the big lie started. This big lie includes Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran.

This is the one taboo subject, it seems, few are willing to speak about. But it is true; the war on the Taliban and the invasion of Afghanistan was yet another crime committed by the Bush administration. It is another war that is draining our youth and national treasury and it is another war that the United States can never win. It is also just one more straw on the camel’s back that is destroying the US armed forces.

At Camp Casey, I met a man named Juan Torres who had a compelling story to tell. It was a story about his son, named Juan Torres Jr., who was officially listed as the 134th US soldier to die in Afghanistan. Juan Torres Jr. was a 25-year-old Specialist in the Army Reserve. He was assigned to the 453rd Transportation Company based out of Houston, Texas. The US Army has reported that Juan Torres Jr. died at Bagram Air Force Base on July 12th, 2004 due to a single gunshot wound to the head. His death was listed as a non-combat related injury. The Army also claimed to have investigated the death of Juan Torres Jr. and reached the conclusion that his death was suicide.

But here is where the story takes a most horrifying and repulsive turn; here is where the story turns into an abomination that will nauseate any American who has ever served – or known someone who has served – in our once proud Armed Forces. Shortly before his death, Juan Torres Jr. had called his father from Bagram Air Force Base. Juan Jr. was overwhelmed with fear. He was distraught because of rampant drug abuse, drug dealing, and trafficking among officers and enlisted men inside of Bagram. He was especially upset that officers, as high up as Captains, were involved with this drug trafficking and their superior officers were doing nothing to put a stop to it.

Juan Torres Sr. does not speak English particularly well. In fact, his English is sometimes difficult to understand. But, being a foreigner in a foreign country, I could feel his pain and I could relate to what he wanted to say and his frustration at his own inability to communicate his thoughts. I videotaped an interview with Juan Torres Sr. Here is a transcript of that interview about his recollections of the final telephone call he had from his son, Juan Torres Jr.:

"My son said, ‘Daddy, there’s a lot of drugs here. The officers are dealing in drugs. I don’t like it. I talked to all my friends and told them ‘Don’t use drugs’ because it’s really terrible here.’ I told my son, to say nothing to anybody. I told him that he only had a little bit more time until he could come back. I begged him to be quiet. But he said he couldn’t. He said, ‘But, Daddy, these are American soldiers, they are not supposed to be doing this. I have to try to stop them.’"

"My son worked everyday from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. But the day before he died some officer changed my son’s working hours. They changed his schedule and told him to go off duty at 6:00 PM and come in at 6:00 AM. The next day, when my son didn’t report for duty in the morning, they reported that he died. The Army claims that he shot himself in the head while taking a shower. That doesn’t make sense. They murdered him inside the shower. When he was taking a shower, and he couldn’t defend himself because he was unarmed, he was shot in the head."


"I want to name the people who did this. One is a sergeant, and one is a captain. I sent lots of letters to congress, lots of letters to the Pentagon, but no one is interested. Nobody helps me; maybe it’s because my son is Hispanic, maybe because I don’t speak English so good. Or maybe no one helps because everyday lots of soldiers die."

"The military claimed that that they closed the investigation of my son’s death on September, 24, 2004 – about two months after my son died. But these people lied. They sent me many letters saying that they investigated but one of my son’s co-workers from his office told me, ‘Mr. Torres, I’m sorry but nobody ever investigated your son’s death because we didn’t have the people to do it – we were so undermanned. Lots of soldiers are dying and I’m so very sorry.’"

"First I got an anonymous phone call from a soldier who knew what had actually happened to my son. I have now spoken with over three-dozen soldiers who told me what really happened. But they are afraid that if they say their names, that something bad will happen to them or their families."

"I don’t know what to do. I’m only waiting for God to give me justice. My son served this country since he was 17 years old. He was first sent to Kosovo. He served this country for eight years and then was murdered by American soldiers who are dealing in drugs and smuggling drugs from Afghanistan because he was getting ready to report them. And the worst part about it is that the US Army refuses to investigate and claims that my son committed suicide. That’s a lie. He was murdered because he was going to report the drug business at Bagram Airbase."

Juan Torres Sr. I feel for you and your family. You think that no one listens to you but I did. And for what it’s worth, I want to help you to get this story out and to do whatever I can to get you justice.

And for you, dear reader, this is just one more story among the many; just one more story about a desertion, a suicide, a death; another disaster for a family. This is the story of just one more death in George W. Bush’s book of dying for a noble cause. This is just one more story about the decline of the United States. It’s a snapshot of what our military has become; it is a mirror of American society today. Thank you George W. Bush. Thank you for keeping America free and for keeping our military great. Could anyone read the above and not wonder how much longer it will be until the US military collapses like a house of rotten toothpicks?

August 23, 2005

http://lewrockwell.com/rogers/rogers166.html

Yeah, that's right folks, the Afghani's treat em like common bandits and hang them.

Two murderers awarded capital punishment
By Habib Rahman Ibrahimi
KABUL, August 23 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A lower court Tuesday awarded death penalty to two men charged with the murder of a car driver. The verdict can be appealed in two higher courts.

Sala Khan and Mohammad Juma, from Alishang district of the eastern Laghman province, were convicted by the Ninth District's court of killing Abdul Habib from Nimroz province nine months ago.

Attorney Abdul Habib Yousufzai of the investigation branch of the provincial prosecution office, who presented evidence, sought execution of the convicts.

The two were charged with stabbing to death and beheading Abdul Habib, whose car they had hired from Kandahar to Kabul on December 1, 2004. Ghazni police had found Habib's body on a roadside on the highway a day after he was beheaded.

Yousufzai argued the convicts should be punished to death as they had failed to prove their innocence. Capital punishment to them would deter others from committing such crimes, the attorney maintained.

Mohammad Mozammil Majidi, the chief judge, said the two men were arrested after being chased by police near their home in Alishang district and were later shifted for investigations to Kabul.

The district police chief, who led the arrest operation, they had been held with their clothes stained with blood. They did not have documents of the car they were driving, the police chief continued.

The convicts rejected the charge and said the car was their own, but their fault was that they did not have registration documents.

But in response, Ahmad Shah - brother in-law of the deceased - produced documents of the car and Habib's cell-phone set snatched by the murderers. A tearful father, wife and children of the deceased repeatedly demanded the execution of the convicts as soon as possible.


nd/by/mud

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6331

30 kg tumor removed from woman's abdomen in Herat
By Ahmad Qureshi
HERAT CITY, August 23 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Doctors in a Herat hospital successfully removed a 30 kilogram tumor from the abdomen of a female patient during a surgery.

Pari Gul (20), resident of Dolina district of the western Ghor province, was admitted to Tabiban Clinic in this provincial capital and the doctors removed the huge tumor from her abdomen after a successful surgery, officials said. They described the operation as unprecedented.

Speaking to Pajhwok Afghan News, Dr Mohammad Naeem said condition of the patient was stable. Naeem, who was member of the team that operated upon the patient, said it took them two hours to take out the tumor from her body. The doctor said the disease had grown up in her body over the past seven years.

A female attendant told this scribe they thought the woman was pregnant. But her medical examination later revealed a tumor had developed in her abdomen.


sh/r/amm/dk

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6322

Kandahar pip Quetta side in soccer thriller
By Mohibullah Rokhan
KANDAHAR CITY, August 23 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A local soccer team pipped a visiting Pakistani squad 1-0 in a thriller played here on Tuesday, an official of Kandahar Football Federation said.

Nasir Ahmad, in a post-match chat with Pajhwok Afghan News, said the action-packed encounter marked the culmination of a three-day tournament, which began on Sunday as part of Afghanistan's 86th Independence Day celebrations.

Local sides including Saadat, Ahmad Shah and Aryal Clubs played matches with the Quetta line-up on a round-robin basis, he said, adding the first two sides downed rivals respectively on the first and second day of the event.

Translated by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6318

Loan or war reparations: Kabul, Moscow lock horns
By Abdul Rauf Liwal
KABUL, August 23 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Moscow's call for the repayment of $10 billion debt by Kabul has drawn ire from Afghan officials and analysts, who in turn asked Russia to pay their country war reparations.

While spurning the Russian demand as untenable, Afghan experts Tuesday claimed the former Soviet Union's intervention had inflicted a gargantuan loss on Afghanistan, which had reason to seek recompense for the widespread destruction resulting from the invasion.

Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin raised the debt repayment question with his Afghan counterpart Dr Anwarul Haq Ahady during his official visit to Russia on August 17. Kudrin dropped a broad hint at Russia taking the issue to Paris Club for arbitration.

In a chat with Pajhwok Afghan News Afghan, Finance Ministry spokesman Aziz Shams said the loan return row was far from settled. At meetings in the future, he added, the two sides would try a sort out the spat that erupted at a time when Afghanistan is in the thick of reconstruction campaign.

The spokesman claimed Paris Club had earlier assured Afghanistan it would convince Russia to write off the debt. For its part, Afghanistan contends Russia has to pay it war reparations to compensate for the large-sale deaths and destruction this country had suffered because of the Soviet invasion in 1979 and subsequent mayhem.

"Russia would probably waive off 70 percent of the debt but the Afghan government is not ready to pay the remaining 30 percent either," said the spokesman. Of the ten billion dollars debt, 70 percent accounted for the purchase of heavy arms such as Scud missiles and warplanes during the Babrak Karmal and Dr Najibullah governments.

A jihadi leader, Ayatullah Sheikh Mohammad Asif Mohsini argued all the money was spent on anti-Afghanistan activities that left 90 percent of its agriculture and retarded its trade with independent countries. He added Russia, therefore, should pay the price for the devastation it had caused to Afghanistan.

Analyst and parliamentary election candidate Dr Abdul Kabir Ranjbar said the arms were used for killing Afghans, who are now being asked to repay the loan, the bane of their lives. "If we insist on war reparations and take the case International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, we will get much more than the loan we are asked to return."

He maintained the erstwhile Soviet Union had left Afghanistan - its farms and deserts - infested with landmines which had killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people and continued to take their toll. More than 200,000 people have been killed and maimed by mine explosions over the last two decades or so.

Press officer of demining NGOs, Massod Ahmad Hamidzada told Pajhwok Afghan News: "Since 1989 $400 million have been spent on the mine-clearing effort in Afghanistan. And the cost continues to sar as the campaign goes on."

Amina Azimi, secertary of the Disabled Afghan Women Union, said the war-maimed women and men were a walking proof of Russian brutalities. "We want back our body parts. Can Russia give us what we have lost? "We urge President Karzai to seek our body parts from Russia."

Afghan Minister for Martyrs and Disabled Siddiqa Balkhi said: "In different parts of the country, I am shown maimed children, youths and elders - the legacy of Soviet invasion. I am extremely pained look at them; all orphans want war damages."


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6297

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p..._5-6-2005_pg7_2

2 US troops, 3 militants killed in Afghanistan

KABUL: A bomb killed two US troops and wounded a third as they were driving in a convoy near the Afghan-Pakistan border, while fighting between Afghan forces and Taliban left three insurgents dead.

An Afghan interpreter was also wounded in the blast, which hit a US armoured vehicle on Friday in Urgun district in Paktika province, the US military said in a statement.

Brother's killer arrested in Logar
By Ahmad Khalid Moahid
KABUL, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Police in the Baraki Barak district of the central Logar province captured a man, who allegedly beheaded his brother two days back, officials said Wednesday.

Provincial police chief Colonel Khan Mohammad said the alleged murderer was netted after two days of hectic efforts by the police. About the reason behind the killing, the police chief said the deceased had married his daughter to someone else against the will of his brother.

He further said the slain was 50-year-old and was teaching in a local school. Confirming the arrest, press officer of the Interior Ministry said the fugitive was detained in Logar along with his abettor.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6348

Last-minute goal sees Shaheen Club down rivals
By Mohibullah Rokhan
KANDAHAR CITY, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): A last-minute goal saw Shaheen Club from the western Farah province pull off a thrilling victory over rivals in a hotly-contested soccer match here.

"The two sides were going neck and neck well into the second half but the visitors scored a solitary goal in the dying moments of the match to edge past the inexperienced Kandahar Club," a local soccer body head said.

In a post-match chat with Pajhwok Afghan News on Wednesday, Kandahar Football Federation chief Nasir Ahmad said the local players, who put up a good fight, were let down by inexperience and lack of application in the final moments.

In the upcoming fixtures, Nasir added, Kandahar will take on Haryal and Aryan Clubs later in the day while the Shaheen Clun from Farah will meet the Kandahar Youths on Thursday.

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6337

School opens after reconstruction in Spin Boldak
By Mohibullah Rokhan
KANDAHAR CITY, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The Ghazi Abdullah Khan School in the Spin Boldak district of the southern Kandahar province was inaugurated after reconstruction on Tuesday.

Reconstructed with financial assistance from an NGO, the school has 36 classrooms. Senior education department official Pir Mohammad told Pajhwok Afghan News the renovation work had been initiated last year.

Students' problems will be resolved with the opening of the school, he hoped, recalling around 1,600 pupils were enrolled in the school before the reconstruction work was launched.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6344

Commander: Taliban Recruiting at Schools

Updated 7:52 PM ET August 23, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8c5rdjo0&src=ap

By DANIEL COONEY

SHARAN BASE, Afghanistan (AP) - Taliban rebels are emptying Islamic boarding schools of students in a desperate drive to recruit fighters, including teenage boys, before next month's legislative elections, the U.S. military's operational commander in Afghanistan told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview Tuesday.

But Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya said that despite the rebel threat and a spike in U.S. casualties in a spate of attacks, the 20,000 American forces in Afghanistan are enough to safeguard the polls, the next key step toward democracy.

He said the increase in American troops being killed _ 66 so far in 2005, making it the deadliest year for American forces in the country since they ousted the Taliban from power in late 2001 _ was a result of a dramatic jump in the number of U.S. patrols and operations against militants.

"We are out there patrolling more, therefore we are more susceptible to enemy attacks," he said while visiting a U.S. base next to the town of Sharan, in volatile eastern Paktika province. "If we are going to truly disrupt the enemy all the way through the elections and keep him off balance, we are going to have to continue these operations."

A major upsurge in militant assaults in the past six months has left more than 1,100 people dead. The rebels repeatedly have vowed to attack the polls and already have killed three candidates and four election workers, and rocketed election offices.

However, a purported Taliban spokesman said Tuesday the movement's leaders would not attack polling stations for the Sept. 18 vote.

"Our high authorities have decided not to attack election polling stations because civilians or local people will be there," Mullah Latif Hakimi said in a telephone call from an undisclosed location. "We are against the elections and we are against any government policies, but we don't want to attack these elections and create problems for innocent people."

He said, though, that the Taliban would continue its attacks on the U.S.-led coalition and Afghan government.

Information from Hakimi in the past has sometimes proven exaggerated or untrue, and his exact tie to the Taliban leadership cannot be verified independently. Attempts to contact Taliban commanders based in southern Afghanistan to confirm Hakimi's claims were unsuccessful.

Kamiya said that despite the high number of militant attacks recently, the Taliban was desperately recruiting new fighters, many of whom are boys, to replace hundreds of insurgents killed in clashes with coalition and Afghan forces.

"They are reconstituting themselves with the less-experienced and the young," he said. "They have closed madrassas (Islamic boarding schools) where they were training and indoctrinating their reserve, their future fighters."

Kamiya said the new recruits were coming from "sanctuaries inside Afghanistan and outside" _ an apparent reference to neighboring Pakistan.

But he did not believe they would pose a serious threat to the polls.

"We have enough forces here to deliver a secure election for the Afghan people," the general said.

The military last month deployed an extra 700 troops to Afghanistan. In addition to U.S. forces, some 3,100 soldiers from 19 other nations also are in the coalition.

A separate NATO-led peacekeeping force also has brought in reinforcements ahead of the polls and now numbers about 10,500.

But Kamiya said the U.S.-trained Afghan army, which now numbers 28,000, and the 55,000-strong national police would be the main security forces guarding polling stations.

"We would be behind them," he said. "Our role is very much a supporting one."

Kamiya said the coalition had received good cooperation recently from Pakistani security forces on their side of the border, preventing militants from sneaking across the mountainous frontier.

Many rebels are believed to be based in tribal areas in Pakistan and come into Afghanistan to launch attacks, before going back across the frontier. A clampdown by Pakistani forces on the border area ahead of Afghan presidential elections last October led to a dramatic decrease in militant activity.

Interrogator Pleads Guilty in Afghan Case

Updated 5:53 AM ET August 24, 2005
http://dailynews.att.net/cgi-bin/news?e=pr...8c6477o0&src=ap

By ALICIA A. CALDWELL

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Apologizing for embarrassing the Army, a military intelligence interrogator admitted abusing an Afghan detainee who later died and was sentenced to two months in jail.

Spc. Glendale C. Walls pleaded guilty Tuesday to dereliction of duty and assault. Besides the prison sentence, Walls was reduced in rank and pay and will receive a bad-conduct discharge.

He admitted that he stood by in December 2002 as former Sgt. Selena M. Salcedo lifted a detainee known as Dilawar by his ear and former Spc. Joshua R. Claus made another detainee roll around on the floor and kiss Walls' boots.

Walls also admitted to pushing Dilawar against a wall during the interrogation in which Salcedo abused him. Dilawar's death has led to charges against a number of service members.

"I'm sorry because ... it was my duty to stop it and by not doing so I've embarrassed my unit, I've embarrassed the Army," Walls said in a soft voice. "It was humiliating. It was just wrong. I should have stopped it."

Doctors blamed Dilawar's death on "blunt force injuries to lower extremities complicating coronary artery disease."

Walls had faced up to a year of confinement, a 75 percent pay cut for 12 months, a reduction in rank and a bad-conduct discharge.

Salcedo, a military intelligence interrogator who worked with Walls at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, pleaded guilty to similar charges earlier this month. She will be demoted, given a letter of reprimand and ordered to forfeit $250 a month for four months.

The most serious charges in the case were against Pfc. Willie V. Brand, who was convicted by a military jury of assault, maltreatment, maiming and making a false official statement. He was spared jail time but got a reduction in rank and pay to a private, the Army's lowest rank.

Spc. Brian E. Cammack was sentenced to three months in prison for abuse; Claus has said he intends to plead guilty in the case.

Also Tuesday, military officials said six members of a California Army National Guard unit will face courts-martial for allegedly mistreating detainees in Iraq.

The trials were ordered after investigators reviewed allegations of prisoner abuse by 12 soldiers with the 1st Battalion of the 184th Infantry Regiment.

Two cases involve a so-called general court-martial, reserved for the most serious infractions, while four involve a midlevel court called a special court-martial, according to Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone, a Task Force Baghdad spokesman.

The soldiers involved were not identified.

Election preparations on the right track: JEMB
By Makia Monir
KABUL, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) Wednesday announced they were striving to ensure full-fledged transparency during the polls.

Addressing a press conference here, chief of the UN-Afghan Joint Election Commission Richard Atwood said they had replaced the washable ink, used during the presidential elections, with new one to discourage people from casting more than one vote.

He said this time they had introduced such an ink which could not be rubbed after it dries up. He informed 160,000 people were under training for the upcoming election.

The JEMB had earlier announced 140,000 bottles of ink had been arrived from Canada and ready for dispatch to the provinces.

Regarding the safety of the ballot boxes, Richard said these were prepared to make it safer than the ones used in the last year presidential elections. "Everything is on the right track," said the official.

Abdul Hakim Murad, another official of the JEMB, said all the polling materials were being transferred to polling stations in all the 34 provinces. About 12.5 million Afghans will use their right to vote on September 18.


nd/by/dk
http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6387

Tripartite body vows to fight terror, secure Afghan polls
By Pakhtun Sahar
ISLAMABAD, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United states have agreed on accelerating joint efforts to root out terrorism, secure the border between the two neighbours and ensure peaceful legislative elections in Afghanistan.

The announcement was made after senior military officials of the three countries met in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city, some 22 kilometres from here, on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Chief of General Staff of the Afghan National Army General Bismillah Khan, Pakistan's Vice Chief of Army Staff General Ahsan Saleem Hayat and Lieutenant General Karl Eikenberry, Commander of the Combined Forces Command in Afghanistan.

The 12th meeting of the tripartite commission was the first one attended by four-star generals from Pakistan and Afghanistan. The session began with a series of briefings that focused on enhancing regional stability and tightening security measures adopted by Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US-led coalition ahead of the September 18 legislative polls in Afghanistan.

The parties noted recent improvements in cooperation and information-sharing and reaffirmed their commitment to Operation Enduring Freedom against al-Qaeda and other militant outfits.

They observed participation of General Bismullah Khan and General Ahsan Saleem Hayat in the meeting signified an important step towards pursuing strategic dialogue and understanding between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The top military officials from the three sides also held separate meetings on the conclusion of the plenary session.

Delegates explored ways and means to strengthen military-to-military relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure stability in the region. They also underlined the significance of the first bilateral Afghan-Pakistan staff exchanges which took place on July 14, 2005 in Kabul and August 9, 2005 in Islamabad.

Describing his meeting with Pakistan's Vice Chief of Army Staff as fruitful, General Bismillah Khan said his visit would help further cement ties between the armed forces of the two countries. He appreciated the warm welcome accorded to him on his arrival at the military headquarters.

General Bismillah Khan also visited the Daman-i-Koh tourist spot and the historic Shah Faisal Mosque in Pakistan's capital city of Islamabad.

Representatives of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) also attended the session as observers. All the three parties welcomed NATO and ISAF observers, saying they looked forward to their participation in future meetings as well for a more effective role in Afghanistan. The tripartite commission will meet again in October.


Translated by Daud, edited by Mudassir

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6386

Plummeting pistachio yield in Takhar sparks concern
By Abdul Mateen Sarfaraz
TALOQAN, August 24 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Takhar agricultural officials and residents said Tuesday only 10 percent of pistachio trees in the northern province had borne the much-demanded fruit this year due to bad weather conditions.

Worried by the sharp decline in the country's a key produce, they cited inclement climatic conditions such as extreme cold and snowfall as a principal reason for the pistachio trees going unproductive and underlined immediate remedial measures.

Engineer Rahmatullah Rostaqi, head of the Takhar agriculture department, confirmed in a chat with Pajhwok Afghan News the pistachio produce this year had hit an all-time low in a decade. He recalled 80 percent of the trees were fruitful in 2004, and this year's yield was a cause for concern.

"The pistachio trees did not bear fruit this year because of heavy snows, a lingering cold snap and flooding that damaged the trees," argued Rostaqi, saying Takhar was one of provinces producing pistachios - accounting for a sizeable portion of Afghanistan's foreign exchange earnings.

As result of the huge yield slump, the director pointed out, residents of Farkhar, Rustaq, Chah Aab and Bangi districts - dependent on the pistachio crop - had suffered huge losses. Some people complained powerful local warlords forcibly collected pistachios while intimidating the locals to stay away from the forests.

The forests originally belong to the government, but dwellers of nearby villages collect the harvest every year and look after the trees according to an understanding reached with the authorities.

Asadullah (35), from Rustaq district, said: "Having no land of our own, we earn our bread and butter by collecting the pistachios and selling them in the market. So this year's reduced harvest and bullying of local commanders represent bad news for us."

Abdul Khaleq, hailing from Khuf Dara village in Farkhar district, alleged the armed commanders snatched one-tenth of the crop from people in the name of Zakat." He asked the rulers to keep the gunmen in check and thereby let low-income locals heave a sigh of relief.

However, Gen. Ghulam Hazrat, deputy police chief of Takhar, rejected the allegation as baseless. He said such a practice might have existed in the past, "but now all commanders have been disarmed and could not force people to give them part of their income in Zakat."

Two months ago, residents of the neighboring Kunduz province also complained of commanders collecting pistachios without the consent of locals. Each of the errant gunmen in Kunduz was then fined 10,000 afghanis, but no one knows if the penalty was ever paid.


sh/by/mud

http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6376

This rings of familiar tactics exercised by US recruitment efforts in American schools. The young is always targeted to do the underhanded bidding of govt forces and militants.

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=54&u_sid=1491681

Taliban shutting schools to get fighters, U.S. says

Taliban rebels are emptying Islamic boarding schools of students in a desperate drive to recruit fighters, including teenage boys, before next month's legislative elections, says the U.S. military's operational commander in Afghanistan.

Ulema urged to encourage voters
By Ezatullah Zawab
JALALABAD, August 25 (Pajhwok Afghan News): Officials organizing the upcoming parliamentary polls have urged the prayer leaders in the eastern Nangarhar province to encourage the public to fully participate in the elections.

A meeting of the officials of the public awareness office was held here on Thursday. Besides officials and local elders, the meeting was largely attended by religious scholars and Uelma.

Speaking on the occasion, Muntazir Shah, in charge of the public awareness programme called on the Ulema and prayer leaders to play their role in informing, educating and encouraging the public about the importance of the polls. He said Ulema should push the people to fully participate in the election.

"Prayer leaders can inform and encourage people through their Friday sermons about the election and the importance of their vote," said the speakers.

On this occasion, Maulvi Abdul Alim, representing the clerics, assured their all-out support in informing and educating the people about the election.


http://www.pajhwak.com/en/news/viewStory.asp?lng=eng&id=6438