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| Positive News from Afghanistan 8 |
| 19.4.08 |
PILLAR I: POLITICAL AFFAIRS
NATO - CJTF-82 - US/Coalition Forces
U.S. May Send More Troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Gates Says
Source: American Forces Press Service EN ROUTE TO MUSCAT, Oman, April 4, 2008 -- The United States may send more troops to Afghanistan in 2009, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates confirmed on 4 April. President Bush said during the NATO summit conference that ended on 4 April that he expects the United States would make a significant additional contribution to the Afghanistan mission next year, Gates said. But Gates backed off any specific commitment, saying the United States first wants to see how much support comes from other allies and how security efforts progress in 2008.
US troop levels up in Afghanistan
Source: AP 10 April 2008, BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- The 101st Airborne Division took command of American forces in eastern Afghanistan on 10 April, helping to boost U.S. troop levels in the country to their highest number since the 2001 invasion. The 101st has 7,200 troops in Afghanistan, several hundred more than the 82nd. Its arrival, coupled with the deployment of some 3,500 Marines to the country's south, has pushed the total number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to over 32,000, part of a steady rise in force levels as violence has increased over the last two years.
General Reflects on Improved Afghan Government, Security Forces
Source: American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 7, 2008 -- Afghanistan’s government and national security forces have improved consistently over the past year, the outgoing commander of Regional Command East, Army Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, said on 7 April. In the 13 months since Maj. Gen. Rodriguez assumed command, Afghanistan’s national and local governments have flourished, institutions have gained strength, and the capacity of the country’s security forces continues to grow. Rodriguez stepped down April 10, when the 101st Airborne Division takes charge of Regional Command East.
US marines say they have begun operations in Afghanistan
Source: AFP 10 April 2008, KABUL -- More than 2,000 US marines recently deployed in Afghanistan to support a NATO-led military campaign against Islamic rebels have began operations in the country's restive south, the unit said on 10 April. The Marine force can "conduct full-spectrum operations from humanitarian assistance missions to combat operations," the statement said.
Joint Forces in Afghanistan Detain Haqqani Network Commander
Source: American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, April 14, 2008 -- A militant network commander in the network led by Jalaluddin Haqqani, a high-level Taliban leader, was detained during a joint Afghan and coalition operation to disrupt bombing operations in Afghanistan’s Khowst province April 12. Officials said the individual captured is associated with bomb-facilitation and financial- and logistical-support operations. The combined force also detained three other individuals with suspected ties to the targeted militant, as well as Haqqani network bomb-facilitation and support operations. U.S. Policies
Bush pushes NATO on Afghanistan, Georgia, Ukraine
Source: Reuters 2 April 2008, BUCHAREST -- U.S. President George W. Bush went into his final NATO summit on 2 April urging his European allies to send more troops to Afghanistan and to set two former Soviet republics, Georgia and Ukraine, on a path to membership. He pressed members of the 26-nation alliance to follow the example of France, Poland and Romania in providing extra troops for NATO's battle against Islamist insurgents in Afghanistan, even though uncertainty reigned over what France would offer.
US hopes to pledge more for Afghans
Source: AP 8 April 2008, WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is hoping to pledge almost $4 billion in additional aid for Afghanistan at an international donors conference to be held in Paris in June, a U.S. official said on 8 April. France will host the meeting on June 14 and has set a broad goal of raising $12 billion to $15 billion to fund Afghan reconstruction projects through 2014. The United States is looking to contribute a minimum of 25 percent of that total, the official said.
NATO & PRTs
NATO reafirms "long-term commitment" to Afgahnistan, challenges remain
Source: Xinhaunet BEIJING, April 6 -- While NATO leaders reaffirmed their "shared long-term commitment" to Afghanistan at the summit in Bucharest from 2-4 April, grave challenges remain in honoring the commitment and producing tangible results, analysts said. In a declaration issued at the end of a high-level meeting, part of the summit, NATO leaders reiterated their pledges to enhance security efforts in Afghanistan, including providing training teams and equipment needed to "meet the goal of an effective 80,000-strong Afghan Army by 2010," strengthening the Afghan leadership and improving civil-military coordination.
NATO and Afghanistan agree on information security
Source: NATO 28 March, 2008 --NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and the Afghan Ambassador to Belgium, H.E. Mr. Zia Nezam, signed the NATO-Afghan Security Agreement in Brussels on 28 March 2008. The Security Agreement provides a framework for the future exchange of classified information between the Alliance and Afghanistan. It will facilitate the continued exchange of information necessary to ensure good co-ordination between the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan authorities.
NATO chief wants Afghan talks with new Pakistan govt
Source: AFP 3 April 2008, BUCHAREST -- NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer has said he wanted direct talks between his military alliance in Afghanistan and the new government in Pakistan. Scheffer also dropped a broad hint he would soon head to Islamabad himself.
PRTs hold change-of-command commanders
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 3 April 2008, SALERNO -- Change-of-command ceremonies for Provincial Reconstruction Teams in southeastern Afghanistan's Regional Command-East took place last month, the US-led coalition said on 3 April. The four PRTs aiding Paktika, Paktia, Ghazni and Khost governments were relieved after spending a year in Afghanistan by incoming groups, which include a new one under the Czech leadership in the central Logar province. The teams promised to press on with efforts to provide governmental mentorship, construction projects, and infrastructure building.
Zabul government, PRT build partnerships for future
Source: ISAF/NATO 31 March 2008, KABUL, Afghanistan -- The governor of Zabul and his line ministry department directors met with members of the provincial reconstruction team recently to establish integrated teams, which marked the beginning of new partnerships between Zabul and U.S. government officials. Each division of the Zabul provincial government will integrate PRT members who can assist or provide insight into projects beneficial to people in the province.
ISAF delivers mosquito nets to fight malaria
Source: NATO 31 March 2008, KABUL, Afghanistan -- ISAF logistics teams in southern Afghanistan airlifted six tons of mosquito nets to Helmand and Uruzgan Provinces 28 March to help fight malaria. The nets will be used in towns and villages in the south, where malaria is a seasonal threat to the lives of thousands of Afghans.
Muslim troops help win Afghan minds
Source: BBC 28 March 2008-- Arab soldiers have been taking part in dangerous missions alongside US troops in Afghanistan. Troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been delivering humanitarian aid to their fellow Muslims and, on occasion, fighting their way out of Taleban ambushes. Though Jordanian forces have been carrying out some base security duties, the UAE's troops are the only Arab soldiers undertaking full-scale operations in the country. Until now, their deployment has been kept so secret that not even their own countrymen knew they were here. But what is really winning hearts and minds is the Islamic connection. These are hearts-and-minds operations at their most effective - drinking tea with Afghans, discussing what help can be provided. The Emirati approach is to meet their fellow Muslims' religious needs first, then build schools and clinics later.
NATO, Russia agree on transit deal
Source: AFP 4 April 2008, BUCHAREST, Romania - Russia has agreed to a deal with NATO to allow the alliance to ship non-lethal freight across its territory to military forces in Afghanistan, diplomats said on 4 April. Sergei Ryabkov, chief of the Russian Foreign Ministry's department for European cooperation, said the agreement shows the two sides can cooperate, despite their differences.
Reinforced Canada vows to stay in Afghanistan
Source: Reuters 3 April 2008, BUCHAREST -- Canada pledged on 3 April to keep its troops in Afghanistan after France offered to bolster the NATO force there, and other world leaders said they were committed to the country for the long haul.
Kouchner sees 3,000 French troops in Afghanistan
Source: Reuters 11 April 2008, DUSHANBE -- French troops operating in Afghanistan will number about 3,000, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said on 11 april. French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced last week that Paris would send an extra 700 troops to Afghanistan, which would bring France's contribution to NATO's fight against the Taliban and al Qaeda there to roughly 2,300 men.
Afghan ForcesAfghan ArmyKarzai pledges role for Afghan forces
Source: Pak Tribune 5 April 2008, BUCHAREST: Afghan troops will be ready to take over security responsibilities from NATO soldiers in Kabul from July, President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan said. The offer from Mr Karzai was delivered in a meeting in Bucharest with leaders of countries providing troops for the NATO force in Afghanistan, together with, Ban Ki-Moon, secretary-general of the United Nations and José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission. NATO officials said an evaluation of the proposal by NATO’s military commanders would be necessary before a handover was agreed, and it was not clear whether Mr Karzai was also proposing Afghan responsibility for sensitive sites such as the airport and fuel dumps.Desertion rate drops in Afghanistan: NATO
Source: Pak Tribune 1 April 2008, BRUSSELS: There has been a dramatic fall in the number of trained Afghan soldiers leaving the Afghan National Army (ANA) over last couple of years, according to Robert W. Cone, the commanding general of Combined Security Transition - Afghanistan. Addressing international journalists hrough a video link-up with Kabul, he said, "Probably 18 months to two years ago we had an AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave) rate that was over 20 percent,. . . . Today, I think that number is actually below eight percent." "We call it a managed leave programme where every Afghan soldier, just like every western soldier, knows when his next break is going to be and then can take it. . . .The police problem is much more complicated in its nature because it’s constantly in interaction with the people and frankly there are many more opportunities for corruption and inappropriate activity.Afghan Police
Afghanistan Opens New Civil Order Police Training Center
Source: Special to American Forces Press Service ADRESKAN, Afghanistan, April 8, 2008 -- Afghan and American leaders celebrated the grand opening of a new facility for training Afghan National Civil Order Police in Adreskan on 7 April. Afghan Interior Minister Abdul Zarar Moqbal and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commanding general of Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, participated in a grand opening ceremony then toured the Herat province facility with other CSTC-A and Afghan National Police personnel. The opening of the Adreskan training center “means a greater capacity to train ANCOP, especially out here in the west,” said Army Col. Mark Russo, Regional Police Advisory Team West commander.
Security ThreatsTalibanAfghans and Pakistanis "squeezing" Taliban and al Qaeda
Source: Reuters 14 April 2008, KABUL -- Al Qaeda and Taliban militants on the Afghan-Pakistani border are increasingly facing pressure on two fronts and they can be squeezed with more coordination between the neighbors, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher, said on 14 April. Relations between the neighbors have been dogged by Afghan complaints Pakistan is not doing enough to wipe out Taliban sanctuaries and stop the flow of fighters and arms into Afghanistan. But Boucher cited what he called renewed energy in relations between the two countries. "What I have found in our discussions is a real commitment to work together, to coordinate with each other ... more intensely," he said.Rebel commander killed in Kunduz
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 4 April 2008, KUNDUZ CITY -- A militant commander was eliminated in an encounter with policemen in the northeastern Kunduz province, local security officials and Taliban said on 4 April. Mullah Janan's death represents a grievous blow to the insurgent movement, which has lost a number of senior commanders over the last couple of years in engagements with Afghan and foreign forces. The militant was shot dead during an overnight firefight that erupted in the Chehla Mazar area.Narcotics
Poppy eradication drive begins in Herat
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 14 April 2008, HERAT CITY -- Residents of Robate Sangi district in western Herat province resisted poppy eradication, however the officials continue to eradicate poppy. The poppy eradication started from Chahel Dokhtran village of the district near Torghondi port of Turkmenistan on 14 April. The residents of the district resisted to the delegation headed by Sayed Hussian Anwari, Herat governor and complained over the eradication of poppy cultivations.
Mine Eradication
Mine removal a dangerous, endless task in Afghanistan
Source: Pak Tribune 8 April 2008, KABUL: People in Afghanistan continue efforts to clear thousands of unexploded mines in their country. Up to sixty per cent of the land is too dangerous to walk on, littered with landmines and unexploded shells, the legacy of 30 years of conflict. The United Nations declared April 4 its third annual International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance on Mine Action. Canadian funding, $80-million worth of removal work over the next four years, helps to pay the salary of some 9,000 Afghan deminers.
DEMOCRACY & JUSTICE
UN
UN envoy seeks bigger Afghan role
Source: AP 3 April 2008, BUCHAREST, Romania -- The United Nations should take a bigger role in Afghanistan and work harder with NATO to boost efforts to stabilize the country, new U.N. envoy Kai Eide said 3 April.
Governance
Governance linked to defeating insurgency
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 16 March 2008, BRUSSELS -- Defeating the insurgency in Afghanistan will depend heavily on the government's ability to improve security, deliver effective governmental services and expand development opportunities, National Intelligence Director Michael McConnell said. At a Congressional hearing at the Capitol Hill, McConnell added: Efforts to improve governance and extend economic development were hampered by a lack of security in some areas and sheer limitation in government's capacity to do so.
Afghanistan's presidential poll set for late 2009
Source: Reuters 9 April 2008, KABUL -- Afghanistan plans presidential elections in late 2009 and parliamentary polls around the middle of the following year, the country's election body said on 9 April. The election commission, the U.N. and President Hamid Karzai had proposed holding the polls simultaneously to reduce the cost and due to the prevailing security situation in Afghanistan. However, Zekria Barakzai, spokesman for the commission, said due to political disagreement among the parties and politicians in parliament, it was decided to hold separate elections.
Afghan leader hints at re-election bid
Source: AP 6 April 2008, KABUL, Afghanistan -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai hinted on 6 April that he plans to run for a second term, saying he has goals left to accomplish. The comments were his first public indication that he will stand for re-election in 2009.
Governors make effective presentations in the US
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 1 April 2008, NEW YORK -- The eight provincial governors -- Arsallah Jamal (Khost), Mohammad Akram Khpalwak (Paktika); Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi (Kunar), Enayatullah Enayat (Samangan), Dr. Assadullah Hamdam (Uruzgan), Sultan Ali Orzgani (Dai Kundi), Abdul Haq Shafaq (Samangan) and Bahloul Bahij (Panjshir)-- concluded the Washington-leg of their trip on 1 April during which they met senior Congressmen, top officials in Administration and President Bush himself. During all these meetings, these Governors effectively articulated the case of their country and what needs to be done by the international community, in particular the US, so as to not only defeat the Taliban, but also lead towards self-reliance and capacity building of the country.The governors also made it clear that the funding given to Afghanistan in last six years is lower than those given to other post-war countries like Bosnia.
Joya challenges her suspension
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 5 April 2008, KABUL -- Almost a year after she was kicked out of Parliament for using abusive language against the august institution, Malalai Joya vowed on 5 April she would fight her way back to the Wolesi Jirga. Under Article 70 of the Lower House Rules of Business, she pointed out an elected MP could not be suspended for more than 24 hours. "This (her suspension) was a patently illegal action by Parliament," she insisted.
Regional Relations
Tripartite coordination centre opened on Pak-Afghan border
Source: Pak Tribune 2 April 2008, KABUL: Afghanistan, Pakistan and ISAF troops celebrated the opening of the newly-constructed Khyber Border Coordination Centre during a ceremony on the border connecting Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province with the tribal areas of Landi Kotal on the Pakistan side. Located in the historic and strategically important Khyber Pass, the Khyber Border Coordination Centre marks the first of six coordination centres planned for construction, said the statement. "This centre will give the opportunity to our officers on both sides to talk to each other every day about the activities of the enemy," said Afghan Defence Ministry operations chief Lieutenant General Sher Muhammad Karimi.
Afghan to strengthen defence ties with India
Source: Pak Tribune 10 April 2008,NEW DELHI: In an effort to strengthen defence ties with New Delhi, Afghanistan said it was considering sending its armed forces officers for specialised training in Indian counter insurgency warfare institutions. During the 45-minute long meeting with his Indian counterpart, Afghanistan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said his country would seek New Delhi’s help in operationalising some Soviet era Helicopter gunships and medium helicopters to provide logistical support to its armed forces.
Afghan FM condemns sabotage of Iran-Afghan ties
Source: Pak Tribune 9 April 2008, LONDON: Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta has condemned sabotage of Tehran-Kabul ties Islamic Republic News Agency reported. In a meeting with Iran’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Fada-Hossein Maleki, he said domestic and foreign ill-wishers are against promotion of bilateral relations between the two neighboring states. He further praised Iran’s assistance to his country and people both in the past and present. For his part, the Iranian envoy called for boost in all-out relations between the two countries.
Afghanistan Applies for CIS Membership
Source: Pak Tribune 8 April 2008, ST.PETERSBURG: The General Secretary of the CIS Parliamentary Assembly Mikhail Krotov said that Afghanistan was aspiring for membership in the Commonwealth. Membership in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) offers new opportunities to Afghanistan itself. First, it will better the chances of integration into regional organizations like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and Eurasian Economic Cooperation Organization. Second, an armed conflict in Central Asia will make it necessary for the regional countries to launch a process of energetic integration even up to establishment of a common state for the purpose of dealing with the common threat. Experts say that there is only one country under whose aegis this integration may take place, and this country is Russia.
PILLAR II: RELIEF, RECOVERY AND RECONSTRUCTION
Reconstruction & Aid
Over 400,000 people receive food aid amid soaring prices
Source: IRIN KABUL, 13 April 2008 -- To counter growing food insecurity in the country, more than 400,000 Afghans have so far been assisted through a joint UN and government "safety net" programme over the past two months, the World Food Programme (WFP) said. Average wheat prices in Afghanistan have increased by 67 percent over the past 12 months and Afghans who are not involved in agriculture now spend on average 75 percent of their income on food, WFP reported on 11 April. With rising prices of staples such as wheat and rice having caused food riots in a number of countries around the world, the government and aid agencies in Afghanistan are keen to prevent any escalation of social unrest in the war-ravaged country.
Relief supplies reach northern Afghanistan after worst winter in 25 years
Source: ActionAid 3 April 2008 -- Blankets, warm clothing and other essential supplies are being distributed to 42,000 people recovering from extreme winter weather in Jawzjan province in northern Afghanistan. With the onset of spring, international development agency ActionAid has started a relief and rehabilitation programme in 179 villages in the province with over Euros 370,000 (£290,000) funding from the European Union.
Education
Hope for the future: Afghanistan's future in its children's hands
Source: e-Ariana 14 April 2008: If you spend time around Afghan children, it is hard not to have hope for the future. They are bright (many of them speak many English phrases and make an effort to engage you in conversation), energetic and focused. Cell phones, music and the Internet are helping many of them view the world in new ways. Some are impatient and want things better today. Another reason for optimism with the next generation of Afghans is education. Whereas the adult illiteracy rate here is more than 70 percent, the Afghan minister of education recently announced a record 7 million Afghan children are now attending school. Nearly one-third of them are girls. Education is always a key to progress, and the Afghan youths are pursuing it with a real hunger.
Culture
Week-long exhibition of Afghan sculptures opens at UN
Source: Pajhwok Afghan News 8 April 2008, UNITED NATIONS -- A week-long exhibition of sculptures, paintings, medals and designs by eminent Afghan artist Amanullah Haiderzad was inaugurated at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on 8 April. Members from the diplomatic corps, including US Ambassador to UN Zalmay Khalilzad, were present at the exhibition.
Media
Concerns as Government in Afghanistan bows to hardline pressure
Source: e-Ariana 12 April 2008, KABUL -- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its associate, the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA), in expressing growing concern about the Government of Afghanistan bowing to pressure from hardliners seeking to obstruct Afghan journalists’ hard-won right to freedom of expression and an independent media. AIJA’s call comes after the Ministry of Information and Culture warned four private television stations this week to stop broadcasting five Indian soap operas by April 15. The ban was instituted after a meeting of clerics, members of parliament and television station owners following alleged complaints from the public, AIJA reported.
Refugees
10,000 Afghan refugees return home from Pakistan in one month: UNHCR
Source: Pak Tribune 1 April 2008, KABUL: About 10,000 Afghan refugees have returned home with the support of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) since resuming voluntary repatriation over the past one month, the body’s country representative Salvatore Lombardo said 1 April. Voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees living in the neighboring Pakistan began first in March and the figure of returnees presented by the UNHCR dignitary is about four times less than the figure returned at the same time last year.
Economy
Afghanistan economy grew nearly 14 percent in 2007, new report says
Source: IHT 2 April 2008, KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan's legal economy grew nearly 14 percent in fiscal year 2007, but the surge was hampered by corruption, insecurity and the lack of electricity, a new report said on 2 April. The country's economic growth is expected to drop to 9 percent annually in 2008 and 2009, so long as foreign donor support continues and there is not another drought, according to the report by Asian Development Bank. The government's ability to run the country effectively is seriously affected by pervasive corruption at all levels of administration, as well as by challenges posed by Taliban and other insurgents, especially in the country's south.
Ahadi: Afghanistan's Economic Fortunes
Source: CFR 15 April 2008 -- Afghanistan remains a country at war facing huge economic development challenges. But Finance Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi, in Washington for the spring IMF/World Bank meetings, says in the event of improved security and reforms in foreign aid, the country has prospects for steady long-term gains. He points to the natural resources sector as a prime revenue source, citing China’s investment in copper mines as a recent example. Yet he says that crucial foreign assistance programs are poorly managed and need greater Afghan oversight. The country’s nascent tax system also is strained, and it will be a number of years "before we can really depend on our own resources to finance the developmental projects." He also cites resistance to transitioning from an opium-based economy, especially in the south, where Taliban support for poppy cultivation is strong.Labels: Positive News: Afghanistan |
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