Posted 1 day ago
Last month, Afghan President Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani agreed to boost joint efforts to make peace with the Taliban.
Some Afghans argue the Taliban are too closely aligned with foreign governments and cannot be a trusted partner for peace.
In violence Thursday, a NATO service member died following a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan. The nationality of the soldier was not released.
In eastern Logar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and recovered seven tons of ammonium nitrate used in homemade bombs.
Some Afghans argue the Taliban are too closely aligned with foreign governments and cannot be a trusted partner for peace.
In violence Thursday, a NATO service member died following a bomb blast in southern Afghanistan. The nationality of the soldier was not released.
In eastern Logar province, Afghan and coalition forces detained two insurgents and recovered seven tons of ammonium nitrate used in homemade bombs.
Group of US Lawmakers Seeks End to Combat Mission in Afghanistan
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 11:05 pm UTC
Posted 1 day ago
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers has called on President Barack Obama and the Pentagon to draw up plans for an accelerated withdrawal of all U.S. combat troops from Afghanistan.
At a news conference Thursday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers said that one of the primary reasons for invading Afghanistan in 2001 was to kill or capture al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and that the objective has been fulfilled.
A number of Democrats have been calling for a speedy end to U.S. military operations in Afghanistan for some time and it appears that bin Laden's killing is likely to boost those calls. But most Republican lawmakers support staying as long as necessary, arguing this is not the time to back away from U.S. commitments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Last year, Mr. Obama announced he plans to begin pulling out U.S. troops in July 2011, but that the pace of the drawdown will be dictated by events on the ground.
Also Thursday, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michele Flournoy, made the first on-the-record comments from the department about the implications of bin Laden's demise. She said it could spur reconciliation in Afghanistan, but it also poses new challenges for U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Flournoy said that many steps are needed, including help interpreting the information from bin Laden's compound, cooperation on ways to put pressure on al-Qaida, and efforts to improve stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
She said she had candid conversations with the Pakistani officials about those steps, as well as the future of bilateral relations, when she hosted U.S.-Pakistan security consultations Monday, just hours after bin Laden's killing.
Flournoy said his death dealt a severe blow to al-Qaida, and expressed hope that more Taliban leaders will accept Afghan President Hamid Karzai's terms and join the reconciliation process.
At a news conference Thursday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers said that one of the primary reasons for invading Afghanistan in 2001 was to kill or capture al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and that the objective has been fulfilled.
A number of Democrats have been calling for a speedy end to U.S. military operations in Afghanistan for some time and it appears that bin Laden's killing is likely to boost those calls. But most Republican lawmakers support staying as long as necessary, arguing this is not the time to back away from U.S. commitments in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Last year, Mr. Obama announced he plans to begin pulling out U.S. troops in July 2011, but that the pace of the drawdown will be dictated by events on the ground.
Also Thursday, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michele Flournoy, made the first on-the-record comments from the department about the implications of bin Laden's demise. She said it could spur reconciliation in Afghanistan, but it also poses new challenges for U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Flournoy said that many steps are needed, including help interpreting the information from bin Laden's compound, cooperation on ways to put pressure on al-Qaida, and efforts to improve stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
She said she had candid conversations with the Pakistani officials about those steps, as well as the future of bilateral relations, when she hosted U.S.-Pakistan security consultations Monday, just hours after bin Laden's killing.
Flournoy said his death dealt a severe blow to al-Qaida, and expressed hope that more Taliban leaders will accept Afghan President Hamid Karzai's terms and join the reconciliation process.
US, Afghan Opposition Diverge Over Taliban
Thursday, May 5th, 2011 at 2:40 pm UTC
Posted 1 day ago
The top U.S. diplomat to Kabul and Afghan opposition leaders are at odds over what to do about the Afghan Taliban.
U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry told a news conference in Kabul Thursday that the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden could give new momentum to efforts at reconciliation. He said it gives the Taliban – long allied with al-Qaida – another chance to join the peace process.
Also Thursday, opposition leaders rallied supporters to criticize attempts to reintegrate the Taliban into Afghan society.
Opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah told hundreds of supporters in Kabul Thursday reconciling with the Taliban is a mistake. He also said that while the Afghan people want peace, they do not want peace at any cost.
There have been no formal talks but the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been reaching out to the Afghan Taliban. Karzai has promised insurgents they can be reintegrated into society if they renounce violence and accept the Afghan constitution.
The United States has also backed reconciliation efforts with the Afghan Taliban, even as the U.S.-led military coalition continues to fight Taliban insurgents across the country.
Last month, Afghan President Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani agreed to boost joint efforts to make peace with the Taliban.
Some Afghans argue the Taliban are too closely aligned with foreign governments and cannot be a trusted partner for peace.
U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry told a news conference in Kabul Thursday that the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden could give new momentum to efforts at reconciliation. He said it gives the Taliban – long allied with al-Qaida – another chance to join the peace process.
Also Thursday, opposition leaders rallied supporters to criticize attempts to reintegrate the Taliban into Afghan society.
Opposition leader Abdullah Abdullah told hundreds of supporters in Kabul Thursday reconciling with the Taliban is a mistake. He also said that while the Afghan people want peace, they do not want peace at any cost.
There have been no formal talks but the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai has been reaching out to the Afghan Taliban. Karzai has promised insurgents they can be reintegrated into society if they renounce violence and accept the Afghan constitution.
The United States has also backed reconciliation efforts with the Afghan Taliban, even as the U.S.-led military coalition continues to fight Taliban insurgents across the country.
Last month, Afghan President Karzai and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani agreed to boost joint efforts to make peace with the Taliban.
Some Afghans argue the Taliban are too closely aligned with foreign governments and cannot be a trusted partner for peace.
Report: Afghanistan is World’s Worst Place for Mothers
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 at 11:00 pm UTC
Posted 2 days ago
An independent organization that helps children worldwide says Afghanistan is the world's worst place to be a mother.
This assessment comes from Save the Children in its 12th annual Mothers' Index, a report comparing the situation of mothers and children in 164 countries. The group bases the rankings on indicators related primarily to health, nutrition and education, along with economic and political status.
According to the group's research, Afghanistan has the highest lifetime risk of maternal mortality, and the lowest female life expectancy in the world. Afghanistan also places second-to-last in several areas, including the frequency of having skilled attendants at births, its under-5 mortality rate, and gender disparity in primary education.
Last year, Afghan officials reported that a woman dies every 30 minutes in the country from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
To improve the situation, the Afghan government launched its second mortality study in 2010 and expanded efforts to increase the number of skilled birth attendants — midwives, nurses and physicians — to assist deliveries.
Save the Children ranks Norway as the best place to be a mother. The group says the Scandinavian nation performed as well as or better than other countries in the rankings on all indicators.
It credited Norway's highest ratio of female-to-male earned income, the highest contraceptive prevalence rate, one of the lowest under-5 mortality rates, and one of the most generous policies on maternity leave in the developed world for helping it top the list.
Seven other European countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, are listed among the 10 best places to be a mother.
The United States ranked 31st among the list's more-developed countries, in part because it has the highest rate for maternal mortality of any industrialized nation.
According to Save the Children, the 10 worst places to be a mother, apart from Afghanistan and Yemen, are all in Africa.
This assessment comes from Save the Children in its 12th annual Mothers' Index, a report comparing the situation of mothers and children in 164 countries. The group bases the rankings on indicators related primarily to health, nutrition and education, along with economic and political status.
According to the group's research, Afghanistan has the highest lifetime risk of maternal mortality, and the lowest female life expectancy in the world. Afghanistan also places second-to-last in several areas, including the frequency of having skilled attendants at births, its under-5 mortality rate, and gender disparity in primary education.
Last year, Afghan officials reported that a woman dies every 30 minutes in the country from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth.
To improve the situation, the Afghan government launched its second mortality study in 2010 and expanded efforts to increase the number of skilled birth attendants — midwives, nurses and physicians — to assist deliveries.
Save the Children ranks Norway as the best place to be a mother. The group says the Scandinavian nation performed as well as or better than other countries in the rankings on all indicators.
It credited Norway's highest ratio of female-to-male earned income, the highest contraceptive prevalence rate, one of the lowest under-5 mortality rates, and one of the most generous policies on maternity leave in the developed world for helping it top the list.
Seven other European countries, along with Australia and New Zealand, are listed among the 10 best places to be a mother.
The United States ranked 31st among the list's more-developed countries, in part because it has the highest rate for maternal mortality of any industrialized nation.
According to Save the Children, the 10 worst places to be a mother, apart from Afghanistan and Yemen, are all in Africa.
NATO Soldier, ‘Numerous’ Insurgents Killed in Afghanistan
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 at 9:40 pm UTC
Posted 2 days ago
NATO says a coalition service member died as a result of a non-battle related injury in southern Afghanistan Wednesday. It did not identify the soldier's nationality.
In eastern Paktia province, a joint NATO-Afghan force clashed Tuesday with insurgents during a search operation for a Haqqani network leader who allegedly intended to attack the provincial governor.
A NATO statement said numerous insurgents and one civilian were killed, and seven civilians were wounded in the battle.
In eastern Nangarhar province Tuesday, a combined Afghan and coalition security force searching for a Taliban leader came under insurgent fire, killing several militants.
Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition forces detained numerous insurgents and reported finding several weapons caches across the country.
In eastern Paktia province, a joint NATO-Afghan force clashed Tuesday with insurgents during a search operation for a Haqqani network leader who allegedly intended to attack the provincial governor.
A NATO statement said numerous insurgents and one civilian were killed, and seven civilians were wounded in the battle.
In eastern Nangarhar province Tuesday, a combined Afghan and coalition security force searching for a Taliban leader came under insurgent fire, killing several militants.
Elsewhere, Afghan and coalition forces detained numerous insurgents and reported finding several weapons caches across the country.
US Envoy: Afghanistan, Pakistan Say Bin Laden’s Death ‘Shared Achievement’
Wednesday, May 4th, 2011 at 2:50 am UTC
Posted 3 days ago
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Grossman's discussions with Pakistani officials also included trade and economic integration, as well as continued cooperation to build a more prosperous Pakistan.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
US Envoy: Afghanistan, Pakistan Say Bin Laden’s Death ‘Shared Achievement’
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 9:35 pm UTC
Posted 3 days ago
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Grossman's discussions with Pakistani officials also included trade and economic immigration, as well as continued cooperation to build a more prosperous Pakistan.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
US Envoy: Afghanistan, Pakistan Say Bin Laden’s Death ‘Shared Achievement’
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 9:00 pm UTC
Posted 3 days ago
The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan says both nations agree with the United States that the killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is a “shared achievement” because all three sides want to end violent extremism.
Marc Grossman made the comment Tuesday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, after a meeting with Pakistan's foreign minister and Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister.
Grossman said the al-Qaida chief committed “murderous acts against civilians and violently subverted democratic governments in the region,” and was an enemy of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Salman Bashir said after the meeting that his country has engaged in “robust cooperation” in counterterrorism and has “sacrificed immensely” in the campaign. He stressed that Pakistan will not allow terrorists to use Pakistani soil. And he said the bin Laden issue is “history” and that Pakistan is looking forward to a new chapter of relations with the United States and Afghanistan.
Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin said Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States should cooperate to achieve peace and stability in the region.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Grossman's discussions with Pakistani officials also included trade and economic immigration, as well as continued cooperation to build a more prosperous Pakistan.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
Marc Grossman made the comment Tuesday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, after a meeting with Pakistan's foreign minister and Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister.
Grossman said the al-Qaida chief committed “murderous acts against civilians and violently subverted democratic governments in the region,” and was an enemy of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Salman Bashir said after the meeting that his country has engaged in “robust cooperation” in counterterrorism and has “sacrificed immensely” in the campaign. He stressed that Pakistan will not allow terrorists to use Pakistani soil. And he said the bin Laden issue is “history” and that Pakistan is looking forward to a new chapter of relations with the United States and Afghanistan.
Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin said Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States should cooperate to achieve peace and stability in the region.
In Washington, State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Grossman's discussions with Pakistani officials also included trade and economic immigration, as well as continued cooperation to build a more prosperous Pakistan.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. reports about the raid that killed him. He said, “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad early Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the world's most wanted terrorist. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance.
US Envoy: Afghanistan, Pakistan Believe Bin Laden’s Killing is ‘Shared Achievement’
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 3:55 pm UTC
Posted 3 days ago
The U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan says both nations agree with the United States that killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden is a “shared achievement” of the three countries.
Marc Grossman made the comment Tuesday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, after a joint meeting with Pakistan's foreign minister and Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister.
Grossman says the three nations believe bin Laden's death is a “shared achievement” because they share a commitment to end violent extremism. He says the al-Qaida chief was an enemy of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan who committed “murderous acts against civilians” and “violently subverted democratic governments in the region.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad on Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the terrorist mastermind. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance, indicating a lack of trust between the two governments, whose relations have become strained in recent months.
In a joint news conference after the meeting, Pakistani Foreign Minister Salman Bashir said “who did what” in Monday's raid was “beside the point.” He said the bin Laden issue is “history” and Pakistan is looking forward to a new chapter of relations with the United States and Afghanistan.
Bashir said Pakistan has engaged in “robust cooperation” in counterterrorism and “sacrificed immensely” in the campaign. He said the Pakistani government will not allow terrorists to use Pakistani soil.
Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told the news conference that Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States should cooperate to achieve peace and stability in the region.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. claims about the raid that killed him. The U.S. envoy said: “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
Marc Grossman made the comment Tuesday in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, after a joint meeting with Pakistan's foreign minister and Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister.
Grossman says the three nations believe bin Laden's death is a “shared achievement” because they share a commitment to end violent extremism. He says the al-Qaida chief was an enemy of the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan who committed “murderous acts against civilians” and “violently subverted democratic governments in the region.”
U.S. special forces killed bin Laden in a raid on his compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad on Monday, ending a near decade-long manhunt for the terrorist mastermind. The United States says it did not inform Pakistan of the raid in advance, indicating a lack of trust between the two governments, whose relations have become strained in recent months.
In a joint news conference after the meeting, Pakistani Foreign Minister Salman Bashir said “who did what” in Monday's raid was “beside the point.” He said the bin Laden issue is “history” and Pakistan is looking forward to a new chapter of relations with the United States and Afghanistan.
Bashir said Pakistan has engaged in “robust cooperation” in counterterrorism and “sacrificed immensely” in the campaign. He said the Pakistani government will not allow terrorists to use Pakistani soil.
Deputy Afghan Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin told the news conference that Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States should cooperate to achieve peace and stability in the region.
Grossman also dismissed conspiracy theories circulating among Pakistanis who say the lack of visual evidence of bin Laden's death leads them to doubt U.S. claims about the raid that killed him. The U.S. envoy said: “You can have as many conspiracies as you wish. He's dead, it's good.”
NATO Investigating Reports of Airstrike Killing 8 Afghan Security Guards
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 at 2:20 pm UTC
Posted 3 days ago
NATO officials in Afghanistan says they are investigating reports that a coalition airstrike mistakenly killed at least eight Afghan security guards in the center of the country.
Afghan police officials say Tuesday's airstrike killed security guards working for the Watan Risk company as they escorted a supply convoy for NATO troops in the Gelan district of Ghazni province.
Coalition spokesman Major Michael Johnson told VOA that coalition forces called in the airstrike after spotting a group of suspected insurgents who appeared to be setting up an ambush site. He says there was no NATO supply convoy in the area at the time.
Johnson says coalition forces who inspected the site of the airstrike reported that one suspected insurgent was killed and several other people were wounded. He says the wounded were given medical treatment. Weapons also were found at the site, including a rocket propelled grenade.
Johnson says the NATO force is trying to reconcile the conflicting accounts of the incident. He noted that both Afghan security guards and insurgents would have been carrying weapons. He also said insurgents in Afghanistan have worn a variety of uniforms in the past.
Elsewhere, Afghan officials say their security forces attacked a group of foreign fighters in the Barg-e-Matal district of eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province Tuesday, killing and wounding 25 of them. Nuristan Governor Jamaluddin Badr says the insurgents included Arabs, Chechens and Pakistanis who infiltrated the area from neighboring Pakistan.
The Taliban says its fighters battled Afghan and coalition forces in the district. Major Johnson said he has no information about coalition involvement in the fighting.
In other violence, NATO says a bomb attack killed a coalition service member in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday. It did not identify the soldier's nationality or say exactly where the attack took place.
Afghan police officials say Tuesday's airstrike killed security guards working for the Watan Risk company as they escorted a supply convoy for NATO troops in the Gelan district of Ghazni province.
Coalition spokesman Major Michael Johnson told VOA that coalition forces called in the airstrike after spotting a group of suspected insurgents who appeared to be setting up an ambush site. He says there was no NATO supply convoy in the area at the time.
Johnson says coalition forces who inspected the site of the airstrike reported that one suspected insurgent was killed and several other people were wounded. He says the wounded were given medical treatment. Weapons also were found at the site, including a rocket propelled grenade.
Johnson says the NATO force is trying to reconcile the conflicting accounts of the incident. He noted that both Afghan security guards and insurgents would have been carrying weapons. He also said insurgents in Afghanistan have worn a variety of uniforms in the past.
Elsewhere, Afghan officials say their security forces attacked a group of foreign fighters in the Barg-e-Matal district of eastern Afghanistan's Nuristan province Tuesday, killing and wounding 25 of them. Nuristan Governor Jamaluddin Badr says the insurgents included Arabs, Chechens and Pakistanis who infiltrated the area from neighboring Pakistan.
The Taliban says its fighters battled Afghan and coalition forces in the district. Major Johnson said he has no information about coalition involvement in the fighting.
In other violence, NATO says a bomb attack killed a coalition service member in eastern Afghanistan Tuesday. It did not identify the soldier's nationality or say exactly where the attack took place.
