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General Details Pentagon Tensions With Obama on Afghanistan
New York Times By MICHAEL R. GORDON January 5, 2013
WASHINGTON - In a memoir, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the former American commander in Afghanistan, writes that tensions between the White House and the Pentagon were evident in the Obama administration from its opening months in office.
The beginning of President Obama’s first term “saw the emergence of an unfortunate deficit of trust between the White House and the Department of Defense, largely arising from the decision-making process on Afghanistan,” General McChrystal writes. “The effects were costly.”
The book by General McChrystal, who was fired from his post in 2010 after an article in Rolling Stone quoted him and his staff making dismissive comments about the White House, is likely to disappoint readers who are looking for a vivid blow-by-blow account of infighting within the administration.
The book, titled “My Share of the Task: A Memoir,” does not provide an account of the White House meeting at which Mr. Obama accepted the general’s resignation. General McChrystal’s tone toward Mr. Obama is respectful, and he notes that his wife, Annie, joined the crowd at Mr. Obama’s inauguration. The book is to be released on Monday.
An advance copy of the book provides revealing glimpses of the friction over military planning and comes as Mr. Obama is weighing, and perhaps preparing to overrule, the troop requests that have been presented by the current American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John R. Allen.
The account is all the more noteworthy since General McChrystal, who retired from the Army, remains a respected voice within the military and teaches a course on leadership at Yale.
According to the book, the tensions began before General McChrystal took command in Kabul, Afghanistan, and were set off by a request from his predecessor, Gen. David D. McKiernan, for 30,000 additional troops at the end of the Bush administration.
Instead of approving the entire request, in February 2009, Mr. Obama decided that 17,000 would be sent, adding that decisions on additional deployments would be based on further analysis.
From the White House perspective, General McChrystal writes, “this partial decision was logical.” After less than a month, the president had increased American forces in Afghanistan by 50 percent. Though Mr. Obama had cast the conflict in Afghanistan as a “war of necessity,” as a candidate he was nonetheless wary about a prolonged American military involvement there.
But the Pentagon pressed for an additional 4,000 troops, fearing that there was little time to reverse the Taliban’s gains before the August elections in Afghanistan.
“The military felt a sense of urgency, seeing little remaining time if any forces approved were to reach Afghanistan in time to improve security in advance of the elections,” he wrote.
The White House later approved the 4,000 troops, but the dispute pointed to a deeper clash of cultures over the use of force that continued after General McChrystal took command.
“Military leaders, many of whom were students of counterinsurgency, recognized the dangers of an incremental escalation, and the historical lesson that ‘trailing’ an insurgency typically condemned counterinsurgents to failure,” he writes.
In May 2009, soon before he assumed command in Kabul, General McChrystal had a “short, but cordial” meeting with Mr. Obama at which the president “offered no specific guidance,” he notes.
The next month, General McChrystal was surprised when James L. Jones, Mr. Obama’s first national security adviser, told him that the Obama administration would not consider sending more forces until the effect of arriving units could be fully evaluated.
That contradicted the guidance that General McChrystal had received from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that he should submit an assessment in August of the additional forces that might be required, he writes.
At an Oct. 8, 2009, video conference with Mr. Obama’s National Security Council, differences again emerged when General McChrystal outlined his goals: “Defeat the Taliban. Secure the population.”
That prompted a challenge by a Washington-based official, whom General McChrystal does not name, that the goal of defeating the Taliban seemed too ambitious and that the command in Kabul should settle instead for an effort to “degrade” the Taliban.
At the next video conference, General McChrystal presented a slide showing that his objectives had been derived from Mr. Obama’s own speeches and a White House strategy review. “But it was clear to me that the mission itself was now on the table for review and adjustment,” he wrote.
After General McChrystal determined that at least 40,000 additional forces were needed to reverse the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Mr. Obama provided 30,000 and said he would ask allied nations to contribute the rest.
General McChrystal acknowledges that he had concerns that Mr. Obama’s decision to announce a date for beginning the withdrawal of the additional “surge” forces might embolden the Taliban. But the general writes that he did not challenge the decision.
“If I felt like the decision to set a withdrawal date would have been fatal to the success of our mission, I’d have said so,” he writes.
General McChrystal has little to say about the episode that led to the article in Rolling Stone. He writes that the comments attributed to his team were “unacceptable” but adds that he was surprised by the tone of the article, which he had expected would show the camaraderie among the American, British, French and Afghan officers.
As the controversy over the article grew, General McChrystal did not seek advice before offering his resignation. The book does not say if he was disappointed when Mr. Obama accepted it at a brief White House meeting.
Returning to his quarters at Fort McNair after that White House meeting, he broke the news to his wife: “I told her that our life in the Army was over.”
Three Killed In Afghan Suicide Bombing
January 6, 2013 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
At least three people have been killed in southern Afghanistan after two suicide bombers stormed a government compound during a meeting of tribal elders.
Officials in the town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar Province said the militants killed a compound guard before driving their car onto the compound and detonating an explosive from inside the vehicle.
A spokesman for Provincial Governor Javeed Saisal said three people were killed and 15 wounded in the attack.
Kandahar, which lies near the Pakistani border, is a major corridor for Taliban militants and drugs and weapons smugglers.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Afghan army recruits say they’ll be ready to go solo
By David Zucchino Los Angeles Times January 6, 2013
KABUL, Afghanistan — Rahmatullah, an illiterate young man with a wispy beard and remnants of teenage acne, may represent the last, best hope for Afghanistan’s national army.
Wearing an old Russian-style helmet and firing an American M-16 automatic rifle, he squinted as his hissing rounds found their target on a firing range at the national training academy. At his elbow was his first cousin Azizullah, a functionally illiterate Pashtun tribesman who crouched to fire his own M-16.
The cousins decided in fall to join the Afghan National Army, which for a decade has struggled to mold itself into an effective fighting force. Both were encouraged to join by their fathers and uncles, Pashtuns from a nearby hilltop village where support for Afghan security forces is strong and hatred of Taliban insurgents runs deep.
Rahmatullah, 21, and Azizullah, 20, freely admitted that their own motives were more base: Soldiering pays about $155 a month for recruits and about $230 a month after they join a unit, better than anything they can find in their hardscrabble village. The food is plentiful and the beds are warm.
Oh yes, each recruit added, almost as an afterthought, “And I want to serve my country and protect it from its enemies,” meaning the Taliban.
The two callow Pashtun villagers and 1,400 fellow recruits in 1st Battalion, 4th Company, 1st Platoon, are the vanguard of a deeply flawed force that must fight the Taliban on its own after U.S. troops withdraw by the end of 2014. Their 18 weeks of training here will be tested in Afghanistan’s deserts and mountains, where hardened Taliban insurgents are poised to attack.
Five weeks into training, the cousins were off to a good start. Rahmatullah put 20 of 20 shots into the center of target cutouts 25 yards away. Azizullah hit 18 of 20. Neither man had ever fired a gun before — or so they claimed.
“They are motivated and they learn fast,” said the platoon instructor, 1st Sgt. Haga Mohammed. “They’ll be ready to fight when they leave here; all our guys will be ready, believe me.”
Everyone at the sun-baked Kabul Military Training Center — the recruits, the training cadre, the mustachioed Afghan commanding general, and the soft-spoken Canadian chief adviser — spouts the same line: The Afghan army is unified, with no ethnic divisions. It will be fully capable of fighting off the Taliban when U.S. forces are gone.
That, of course, is what a long parade of Afghan generals and Western advisers has been assuring training center visitors for nearly a decade — even as the army remained poorly led and ill-equipped.
“We like the Americans, and we feel stronger if we’re with them,” Rahmatullah said in his barracks, amid the sour stench of unwashed bodies. “But we’ll be ready 100 percent to fight on our own in 2014.”
Rahmatullah’s brother, 1st Sgt. Nazir Ahmad, who has fought the Taliban and is now a trainer at the center, said U.S. Marines taught him discipline under fire. “We have the lead now, but we’re a poor country and we still need weapons and equipment from the Americans,” he said.
At the front, the Afghan army’s shortcomings are obvious, and a source of constant complaint among front-line American troops.
For all the enthusiasm and bravery of individual soldiers, the army has not weaned itself from air support, artillery, fuel, weapons, ammunition, communications and combat medical aid provided by U.S. and coalition forces. Drug use, theft, corruption and desertion are common. Discipline is improving, but remains erratic.
The desertion rate is 10 percent to 15 percent, said Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaher Azimi, and no deserters have been punished. “Well, it’s a volunteer army,” he said.
The army is also undercut by ethnic tension, and by Taliban infiltrators and disaffected soldiers who shoot and kill Western troops and civilian contractors. At the command level, ethnic Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and others fight bitterly for influence.
Afghan Brig. Gen. Aminullah Patyani, the academy commander, says any such problems can be addressed through rigorous training. As academy commander, Patyani is bullish on the army.
What about so-called insider attacks, which have caused 130 coalition deaths since 2007, including 61 in 2012? There hasn’t been a single such incident at the training center, Patyani said.
Recruits’ phony IDs and fake letters of recommendation from village elders? Increased vigilance, with fresh help from the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, has the problem under control, Patyani said.
The washout rate? No such thing. Every recruit graduates, the general said, even if they have to keep repeating their courses.
Patyani said the Afghan army was nearing its goal of 195,000 soldiers. Troop strength was expected to reach 187,000 by the end of 2012. But the academy must churn out 50,000 new soldiers a year to help keep pace with desertions, casualties and retirements.
Col. Peter J. Williams, a wiry Canadian who commands a 320-member, eight-nation adviser team, said advisers directed hands-on training in the academy’s early years. The focus was on delivering large numbers of recruits. Today, he said, advisers stand back and observe, offering quiet advice later.
“They’re getting the quantity they want,” Williams said. “Now’s the time to focus on quality.”
Williams has recommended extending the basic training course from nine weeks to 12. (Recruits take another nine-week “collective training” course after graduation.) A pilot 12-week class was this day in an elaborate ceremony featuring martial music, goose-stepping and fiery speeches.
The graduates carried no rifles. Every visitor to the ceremony, from recruits to senior officers, was searched for explosives or weapons. Armed Afghan, Canadian and private security guards stood watch, all on alert for an insider attack.
The ceremony played out without incident as Rahmatullah and Azizullah returned from the firing range. Rahmatullah was stunned to learn that his father, Azizullah’s uncle, was pacing outside the academy gate.
A Los Angeles Times reporter had phoned the father, Qandi Gul, to request an interview. His wife, Ashad Bibi, was convinced that the call meant her son had been wounded or killed. At her insistence, Gul drove his ancient rickshaw motorcycle down a mountain road to the academy.
Gul waited for hours, seeking permission for his son to speak with him. At last, the young recruit emerged. He buried his head in his father’s arms as the older man showered him with kisses.
“Call your mother right now,” Gul ordered. Rahmatullah grabbed his father’s cellphone and walked to a lonely spot along a barbed-wire fence.
Later, in the mud-walled village of Qalai Mohsen, Gul described how he had practically ordered his son, and his nephew too, to join the army. Gul served six years as an Afghan police officer. Three sons, including Rahmatullah, are in the security forces. So are three nephews.
Most of the men in the village, in fact, are in the army or police. Gul’s compound overlooks the national police training academy. On display inside his home is a photo of his eldest son in uniform.
Over a meal of steaming lamb, rice and spinach spread out on his floor, Gul says the village is rabidly anti-Taliban. They are Pashtuns, like most of the Taliban, but Gul calls the insurgents “devils and thieves.”
When he was a police officer, a pro-Taliban mullah told him he wasn’t a real Muslim because he served the U.S.-backed government.
“I told him, ‘I’m a true Muslim and an Afghan patriot who serves his country, and I’ll send all my sons to serve their country,’ ” Gul said.
“The army, the government, will stand against the Taliban, and against Pakistan, even after the Americans are gone,” Gul said, sucking on a cracked lamb bone.
Beside him was another son, Ruhollah. Thin and dark-eyed, Ruhollah said he tried to join the army in 2011, but was rejected because he wasn’t yet 18. He had just turned 18 and planned to sign up soon.
In Gul’s lap was his youngest son, Haroon, 21/2. The boy gurgled and stuffed a wad of rice into his mouth.
His father took the boy in his arms and nuzzled him with his bearded chin.
“One day,” he said, squeezing Haroon, “another soldier for the army.”
Los Angeles Times special correspondent Hashmat Baktash contributed to this report.
Taliban commander among 16 killed in U.S. drone strike in NW Pakistan
By Zhang Qi, Raheela Nazir
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- An important Taliban commander was among the 16 people kill in Sunday's U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of South Waziristan, local media reported.
Wali Muhammad, alias Toofan Mehsud, who was in charge of Pakistani Taliban's suiciders' wing, was believed to be killed in the strike, local Urdu TV channel Geo quoted unidentified sources as saying.
However, there is no official confirmation about the death of Wali Muhammad either from the government sources or from the Taliban side.
U.S. drones on Sunday launched a massive strike at a stronghold of militants in the Babar Ghar area of South Waziristan, in which at least eight missiles were fired at different targets, leaving three militant hideouts destroyed and at least 16 militants killed.
The strike also injured several other militants.
Five U.S. drones were reportedly involved in the attack.
Sunday's U.S. drone strike is the third of its kind in Pakistan since the beginning of this year and also the largest over the last couple of months.
In the wee hours of Thursday morning, U.S drones fired four missiles at a target in South Waziristan, leaving at least 10 militants killed, including Taliban commander Mullah Nazir. Later in the day, U.S. drones launched another strike in the neighboring tribal area of North Waziristan, killing at least four militants.
Following the strikes, thousands of tribesmen staged a rally in protest against the U.S. drone strikes in Waziristan on Saturday and Pakistan foreign office spokesman also condemned the strikes.
However, the U.S. side has turned a deaf ear to the protests and condemnation and continues to press ahead with its drone strike in the country's northwest tribal areas of North and South Waziristan along the Afghan border.
U.S. insists that drone strike is an effective way to wipe out the militants hiding along the Afghan border in Pakistan, who often launch cross-border attacks on the U.S.-led NATO troops and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.
News Analysis: Will Taliban release lead to Afghan national reconciliation?
By Abdul Haleem
KABUL, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government has sped up the release of Taliban detainees over the past couple of months in hopes of accelerating the peace process and national reconciliation ahead of 2014 withdrawal of NATO-led troops from the militancy-ridden Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Taliban detainees held formerly by the U.S. military in Bagram, the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan, have been freed over the past two months. The latest batch composed of 129 people were set free in Taliban former stronghold Kandahar province on Saturday.
At the request of Afghan government, Pakistan has also set free more than two dozen Taliban detainees including senior Taliban leader Mawlawi Noorudin Tarabi and commander Anwarul Haq Mujahid since November, which was praised by Kabul as a step forward to facilitate talks with Taliban.
Officials in Kabul believe that the freed Taliban would serve as intermediaries between Afghan administration and the Taliban leadership allegedly sheltering in Pakistan.
Afghan Presidential Spokesman Aimal Faizi has welcomed the release of Taliban detainees by Pakistan, saying the government of Afghanistan supports the former detainees and would provide security for them if they return to Afghanistan.
However, Afghan observers doubt the capability and goodwill of the former Taliban detainees to conduct peace talks in Afghanistan. "Since the released Taliban leaders have not joined the government of Afghanistan, I don't think their release could serve peace process in the country," said legislator Bilqis Roshan in a television panel discussion.
None of the former detainees have formally joined the government-backed peace process in Afghanistan. Nor has Pakistan formally handed over any released Taliban element to Kabul.
However, Afghan officials believe the release of Taliban prisoners would bolster the government-initiated national reconciliation. "We are sure their release could further help the government efforts seek peace and it will support the peace and reconciliation process in the country," said Mohammad Yar Barakzai, an official of Afghan Defense Ministry who set free 129 Taliban detainees in Kandahar on Saturday.
More than 350 prisoners have been released from Bagram detention center over the past couple of days. "What the released Taliban have done towards peace and national reconciliation so far?" parliamentarian Zalmai Zabuli questioned in the television panel discussion, adding the freed Taliban would have no role in bringing about peace and security in the country.
The Taliban outfit has vowed to continue Jihad or holy war against the NATO-led troops stationed in Afghanistan. "Those have been set free would either go home or rejoin the Taliban rank to fight the government," former Afghan diplomat and political analyst Ahmad Sayedi told Xinhua.
US troops interpreters misbehave with Afghan civilians
By Sajad Khaama Press January 6, 2013
According to reports US special forces based in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan are conducting operations without coordinating with the local officials and Afghan security forces.
The US special forces and their Afghan interpreters have also been accused of humiliating innocent local residents in Nerkh distict.
The issue was discussed during the national secuirty council meeting led by president Hamid Karzai on Sunday where Afghan defense minister shared the issue.
Afghan presidential media office following a statement said, “Based on the information collected from the individuals who were humiliated and according to reports of the delegation appointed to investigate the issue, around 7 to 8 Afghan interpreters of the US special forces who are using Afghan commandos uniforms during the operations and local residents are complaining regarding their bad behaviours.”
Defense minister quoted in the presidential palace statement said, “When we asked NATO forces to hand over the interpreters, they told us that they are not here and have fled the area.”
The national security council of Afghanistan appointed a delegation to strictly follow the incident and called on coalition officials in Kabul to introduce those involved behind the misbehaviours with the innocent civilians to judiciary institutions.
Afghan interior ministry was also ordered to follow the reports and take necessary actions for disarming irresponsible individuals.
Taliban vow war if US stay in Afghanistan after 2014
AFP January 6, 2013
KABUL - The Taliban on Saturday warned of a prolonged war in Afghanistan if any foreign troops stay after the end of 2014, as Kabul and Washington prepare to discuss the "residual" US security presence.
President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai will hold talks in the US next week on a long-term security pact between the two countries, with US troops remaining in Afghanistan at the top of the agenda.
"If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length," the Taliban said in a statement.
"If Karzai and the Kabul regime agree with the presence of even a single American soldier then, just as presently, they shall also be responsible for all future hostilities, casualties and destruction."
The latest media reports suggest the US Department of Defense has prepared plans that leave either 3,000, 6,000 or 9,000 troops in the country, focused on striking at Al-Qaeda militants.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the slimmed-down force would focus on preventing Al-Qaeda, which was sheltered by the 1996-2001 Taliban government, from regaining a foothold in the war-shattered nation.
Troops would also continue training the Afghan army and police, who will be responsible for national security more than a decade after a US-led alliance ousted the Taliban regime.
General John Allen, commander of US and NATO forces, had earlier suggested leaving up to 15,000 troops, and the new forecasts would mean scrapping a plan for diplomatic posts across Afghanistan, the Wall Street Journal said.
Fewer soldiers would also heighten US reliance on drones to monitor and target militants after most manned aircraft and their pilots pull out, the paper added.
The NATO coalition, which has been fighting an insurgency by Taliban Islamists since 2001, reduced troop numbers by about 30,000 in 2012 and is due to end its mission by the end of 2014. The 100,000 international forces still in Afghanistan are mentoring the army and police to gradually take over all security duties, while the Afghan government has appointed negotiators to open peace talks with the Taliban.
Defence Ministry Hopes Karzai Visit Addresses Equipment, Air Force
TOLOnews.com By Sharif Amiry Saturday, 05 January 2013
The ministry of national defense said Saturday that it hopes that issues related to equipping the Afghan army and building the air force will be addressed during President Karzai's visit to Washington.
Spokesman of the defense ministry said that although the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are capable of holding their own in 2014, equipping and providing them with air support will remain critical.
"One of the important topics at the talks is equipping the national army. And concerns about the air force will be a priority," said Gen. Zahir Azimi, defence ministry spokesman.
Previously, head of the Afghan Transition Coordination Commission -- the body responsible for handling the security transition from Isaf to Afghan forces -- had warned that Afghanistan risked losing its "national identity" after 2014 if the troops aren't adequately prepared.
Afghan civil society also emphasizes a responsive, corruption-free government as critical to Afghanistan's stability post-2014.
"If a healthy, accountable and corruption-free system is put together, I think it will give Afghanistan a national identity. But if interference by neigbouring countries continues, it will definitely cause problems," said Mir Ahmad Joyanda, head of the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society.
Reacting to President Karzai's Washington trip, the Taliban have warned that they would continue to fight if following the visit, the sides agreed upon the presence of US troops after 2014.
There will be no agreements as a result of the trip, but the future US military presence will be discussed, according to the ministry of foreign affairs.
2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher
With foreign troops leaving, a presidential election edging closer and a potential peace deal with the rebels still far from certain, a crucial phase in the struggle for Afghanistan's future is set to unfold.
Global Post By Chris Sands January 5, 2013
KABUL, Afghanistan - When a female member of the Afghan police shot dead a US contractor last month, another grim new marker was laid down in the war.
The killing in Kabul was the first insider attack by a woman since the conflict began. It brought a tough year to a fitting end and served as an early signpost for what could be an even harder 2013.
American and NATO officials have been eager to talk about significant progress being made here, but for most people these are worrying times.
With foreign troops leaving, a presidential election edging closer and a potential peace deal with the rebels still far from certain, a crucial phase in the struggle for Afghanistan's future is set to unfold.
In certain corners of the country that fight is already well underway. Mountainous and remote, Nuristan is a small example of what could happen post-occupation.
Eight American soldiers were killed there in an October 2009 attack by hundreds of insurgents. Soon afterwards the US made what seemed like a hasty retreat — closing outposts and bases in the province.
Although periodic military operations have occurred in the area since then, only the rebels appear to pay it constant attention.
Hafiz Abdul Qayum represents Nuristan in the Afghan senate. He told GlobalPost the police there often only exist on paper, with corrupt local officials exaggerating the numbers to enrich themselves on money meant to pay for officers.
He claimed even the center of the province — a district called Parun — is divided into three part: the government, the Taliban and a rival insurgent group, Hizb-e-Islami.
"It is very difficult to remove anyone who sets up a position in Nuristan," Qayum said. "This was the reason the Russians were not able to capture the territory and it was the same with the Americans."
Unless the government pays more attention to the province, he added, rebels will use it as a staging post to spread further into the north and east.
Nuristan's isolation and historical reputation for being fiercely independent means the situation there could be viewed as an anomaly. However, some analysts see similar scenarios developing elsewhere.
A report published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last September predicted the insurgents will start to make important gains this spring and summer.
"The coalition is likely underestimating the extent of the Taliban advance in 2013," the report said. It warned that within two years about a quarter of Afghanistan's districts could fall totally under militant control. Most of the others will be exposed to their activities.
Success will eventually mean they can "free up forces and focus on their next objective — the capture of provincial capitals."
One man who agrees the insurgents are capable of victory is Mohammed Hasan Wolusmal, a veteran journalist who met the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar several times in the years prior to the 2001 US-led invasion.
He believes the war will escalate in the months ahead as regional powers exert growing influence on the ground and popular support against NATO and the government gathers momentum.
"When the Americans and their allies came to Afghanistan the people were very happy, including me," he said. "But with lots of sorrow I say the Americans have drowned themselves and us."
The US Department of Defense takes a different stance. In a December 2012 report it claimed the rebels were losing “territory overall."
Insider attacks, government corruption and militant safe havens in Pakistan were acknowledged as problems, but the report said, "The coalition continued to make measured progress toward achieving its strategic goals."
It added that NATO would carry on redeploying troops and closing bases during the next six months in preparation for withdrawal at the end of 2014.
Before then Afghan forces are due to take the lead in combat operations across the country later this year. How stable the political situation will be throughout such a crucial period is a matter of some debate.
Attempts to negotiate with the insurgents have proved unsuccessful so far, but there are tentative signs that could change.
Ghulam Jelani Zwak, director of the Afghan Analytical and Advisory Center, told GlobalPost there was a strong chance of the Hizb-e-Islami rebel faction declaring its backing for a candidate in the build up to the April 2014 presidential election.
"I don't know if [the group's leader] Gulbuddin Hekmatyar will come and participate in the election or support someone. I think [he] will support someone," he said.
The main reason for this, Zwak explained, is a fear among the predominantly Pashtun insurgents that if they oppose the election, a candidate from one of the country's ethnic minorities could triumph.
Who that may be is still unclear as the old Northern Alliance movement that fought the Taliban in the 1990s is now divided.
Many Afghans fear these differences will cause the country to again descend into civil war. Although Zwak doubts that will happen, he does not expect a halt to the bloodshed anytime soon.
"There is hope for negotiations but the gaps between the Taliban, the United States and [the government] are very big. It's not easy to jump over these hurdles," he said.
Sediq Sediq recalled from India for his comments on Pakistan
By Jawed Rostapoor Khaama Press January 6, 2013
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi was summoned by interior minister Mojtaba Patang while he was attending a 7 days seminar in India.
He returned to Kabul after the attending the seminar only for two days and was reportedly called back by interior minister following his comments regarding Pakistan.
A source in interior ministry speaking on condition of anonymity told Khaama Press, “Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi, a day before leaving for India and during his interview with a foreign news agency informed of continued interference by Pakistan in Afghanistan affairs and accused the Pakistani government for supporting the Taliban militants.”
The source further added, “Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omer Daudzai was summoned by Pakistan foreign ministry a day after Mr. Sediqi’s comments and asked him to clarify the comments of interior ministry spokesman sediq Sediqi.”
The official also added, “Afghan ambassador in Islamabad informed Afghan presidential palace regarding his impeachment by Pakistan foreign ministry which led to instructions by president office to Mojtaba Patang in order to query Mr. Sediqi regarding his interview and attempt to break agreement between the two nations.”
This comes as the two nations recently agreed to prevent conspiracies by the government spokesmen however Pakistani officials are saying that Mr. sediqi has breached the agreement.
In the meantime political observers believe that Mr. Sediqi was recalled from India by presidential palace officials since Pakistan has a considerable influence inside the president office. They are also saying that individuals working inside the presidential palace are under the influence of neighboring Pakistan and Iran who are not prepared to tolerate comments against the two neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile it is yet not clear if Mr. Sediqi will be able to continue as interior ministry spokesman or not, since the observers believe that he might become victim of the influential individuals working for the neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
Iran wants all “aliens” out of Afghanistan after 2014
January 6, 2013 The Hindu
As Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai prepares for a visit to the United States, Iran has made it plain that it opposes the presence of American troops on Afghan soil after a formal exit in 2014.
Using a convoluted formulation, the visiting head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said in Kabul that not only should “aliens” leave the country, Afghanistan’s national sovereignty must also always be respected. Mr. Jalili — fresh from his visit to India where Afghanistan’s transition post-2014 was a salient topic for discussion — praised the Afghan people’s “historical background in not accepting aliens”. He added that this was Afghanistan’s “big asset” that imparted a powerful impulse to preserve “national sovereignty”.
The New York Times reported that the Obama administration was considering maintaining a force of 3,000 to 9,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014. It noted that the U.S. and Afghanistan began talks in November on a possible agreement that would authorise an American troop presence in Afghanistan after 2014.
“Any force that remains is expected to have several missions. It would include Special Operations forces, which would be assigned to carry out raids against Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that are deemed to threaten American interests,” said the report. The write-up also observed that “troops would also advise and mentor the Afghan Army and police in conjunction with forces from other NATO nations”.
On the contrary, Mr. Jalili signalled a regional approach, free from foreign presence, for providing security and enabling nation-building in Afghanistan.
“He [Mr. Jalili] expressed pleasure with process of formation and consolidation of national government in Afghanistan and expressed Iran’s readiness to transfer its experiences in different fields for more security development, progress and prosperity for Afghan people,” reported the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) following Mr. Jalili’s meeting with Mr. Karzai on Saturday.
Apart from the Iranians, the Russians have also declared their opposition to the presence in Afghanistan of American forces that are not mandated by the United Nations Security Council. In an interview with Afghan website Tolonews, Russian Foreign Minister stated that he found it “strange that while insisting that in 2014 the American troops, NATO troops I assume, would leave Afghanistan, at the same time Washington discusses with Afghanistan very purposefully the establishment of four five military bases for the post 2014 period”. He added: “I don’t think why this should be done this way because if you need the military presence, then you continue the implement the mandate of the Security Council. If you don't want to implement the mandate of the Security Council or you believe that you have implemented the mandate already, but still want to establish and keep the military bases, I don’t think it's logical.”
Separately, the Taliban has issued a statement berating Mr. Karzai for undertaking his journey to Washington “to sign a security pact which would pave the way for the presence of American troops in Afghanistan and through which America would continue its crooked policies in the region”. The Talban warned Washington that if it believes “it can implement its malicious policies and find a secure base for itself by leaving a residual troops presence then we clearly state that these dreams are only dreams which can and will not materialise just as they failed to materialise in the past eleven years”.
During his visit, Mr. Jalili also discussed with Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Afghanistan’s national security advisor, the expansion of the transit corridor from the Iranian port of Chabahar into Afghanistan — a move that would reduce the landlocked country’s dependence on Pakistani ports for its trade.
Pakistani Religious Scholar Dies
VOA News January 6, 2013
Prominent Pakistani religious scholar Qazi Hussain Ahmed has died at the age of 74.
He was the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan's leading religious group, for 22 years before stepping down in 2009.
In November, Ahmed escaped unhurt from an assassination attempt when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near him.
He was a strong critic of the U.S.-NATO participation in the civil war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Ahmed died Sunday morning in Islamabad. He had suffered from heart disease for years.
Pakistan Closes Torkham Border Again
TOLOnews.com By Milad Sekandari Saturday, 05 January 2013
Pakistan closed the Torkham border to Afghan citizens without visas and refugee cards, Pakistani border officials said Saturday.
They added that the order came from the federal government to restrict cross-border traffic only to people with Pakistani visas.
Afghan citizens, who are stranded at the border and facing the winter cold, have asked the government to help resolve the issue.
"Thousands of sick people with serious conditions are stranded on the border. Afghan citizens face more difficulties than Pakistanis. There are no Pakistani women or children on the border -- all are Afghan," an Afghan woman told TOLOnews.
Afghans travel frequently to Pakistan for medical visits, usually for cases more serious than Afghan medical facilities can handle. They also frequently travel across the border for business and to meet families.
The Afghan consul general in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistani province where Torkham border is located, said talks with Pakistani officials are underway.
"Border officials said that we do not allow those who have not extended their refugee cards. But when we called Pakistani officials, they said that Afghans who have refugee cards should be allowed to cross the border," said Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimi.
Millions of Afghans lived in Pakistan during the period of conflict in Afghanistan. Their cross-border has been largely unimpeded except for periods of border closures.
The current closure comes after another recent border closure two weeks ago when Pakistani truck drivers complained of mistreatment in Afghanistan. More than a dozen people, mostly Afghans, were reported to have died in the two-day period because of the cold and not receiving timely medical attention.
Afghanistan's Saffron Export Increases 14%
TOLOnews.com By Shahla Murtazaie Saturday, 05 January 2013
Saffron exports in the first nine months of 2012 increased by around 14% compared to the year before, said the Afghanistan Raisin, Fruits and Vegetable Promotion Agency on Saturday.
Around 1,600 kilograms of saffron were exported in the first nine months of 2012, which is around 200 kilograms more than the preceding year.
The Agency also said the exports of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, celery and other vegetables increased by more than 2,000 tonnes compared to the first nine months of 2011.
Most of Afghanistan's onion exports goes to neighboring Pakistan, while its potato exports are consumed in the Middle East, according to the Agency.
The increase in the exports of saffron is welcome news for Afghanistan, which has been promoting saffron as an alternative crop to opium poppy. Saffron is suited to the Afghan climate and has been adopted in Herat and Ghazni provinces.
The ministry of agriculture, irrigation and livestock plans to promote it more widely.
Kabul Airport Opens VIP Saloon for International Guests
TOLOnews.com By Hazim Arash Saturday, 05 January 2013
A VIP saloon with a capacity for 100 international guests opened at the Kabul Airport with a cost of $50,000, said the ministry of foreign affairs.
The ministry added that the saloon was built after a decision made by the National Security Council.
"The saloon is built according to international standards," said Zalmai Rasool, minister of foreign affairs.
A second VIP lounge will be built for the presidents of other countries visiting Afghanistan, the ministry added.
"In the near future, there will be a special saloon built by the foreign ministry upon the president's decree," Rasoul added.
www.afghanistannewscenter.com
New York Times By MICHAEL R. GORDON January 5, 2013
WASHINGTON - In a memoir, Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the former American commander in Afghanistan, writes that tensions between the White House and the Pentagon were evident in the Obama administration from its opening months in office.
The beginning of President Obama’s first term “saw the emergence of an unfortunate deficit of trust between the White House and the Department of Defense, largely arising from the decision-making process on Afghanistan,” General McChrystal writes. “The effects were costly.”
The book by General McChrystal, who was fired from his post in 2010 after an article in Rolling Stone quoted him and his staff making dismissive comments about the White House, is likely to disappoint readers who are looking for a vivid blow-by-blow account of infighting within the administration.
The book, titled “My Share of the Task: A Memoir,” does not provide an account of the White House meeting at which Mr. Obama accepted the general’s resignation. General McChrystal’s tone toward Mr. Obama is respectful, and he notes that his wife, Annie, joined the crowd at Mr. Obama’s inauguration. The book is to be released on Monday.
An advance copy of the book provides revealing glimpses of the friction over military planning and comes as Mr. Obama is weighing, and perhaps preparing to overrule, the troop requests that have been presented by the current American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John R. Allen.
The account is all the more noteworthy since General McChrystal, who retired from the Army, remains a respected voice within the military and teaches a course on leadership at Yale.
According to the book, the tensions began before General McChrystal took command in Kabul, Afghanistan, and were set off by a request from his predecessor, Gen. David D. McKiernan, for 30,000 additional troops at the end of the Bush administration.
Instead of approving the entire request, in February 2009, Mr. Obama decided that 17,000 would be sent, adding that decisions on additional deployments would be based on further analysis.
From the White House perspective, General McChrystal writes, “this partial decision was logical.” After less than a month, the president had increased American forces in Afghanistan by 50 percent. Though Mr. Obama had cast the conflict in Afghanistan as a “war of necessity,” as a candidate he was nonetheless wary about a prolonged American military involvement there.
But the Pentagon pressed for an additional 4,000 troops, fearing that there was little time to reverse the Taliban’s gains before the August elections in Afghanistan.
“The military felt a sense of urgency, seeing little remaining time if any forces approved were to reach Afghanistan in time to improve security in advance of the elections,” he wrote.
The White House later approved the 4,000 troops, but the dispute pointed to a deeper clash of cultures over the use of force that continued after General McChrystal took command.
“Military leaders, many of whom were students of counterinsurgency, recognized the dangers of an incremental escalation, and the historical lesson that ‘trailing’ an insurgency typically condemned counterinsurgents to failure,” he writes.
In May 2009, soon before he assumed command in Kabul, General McChrystal had a “short, but cordial” meeting with Mr. Obama at which the president “offered no specific guidance,” he notes.
The next month, General McChrystal was surprised when James L. Jones, Mr. Obama’s first national security adviser, told him that the Obama administration would not consider sending more forces until the effect of arriving units could be fully evaluated.
That contradicted the guidance that General McChrystal had received from Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates that he should submit an assessment in August of the additional forces that might be required, he writes.
At an Oct. 8, 2009, video conference with Mr. Obama’s National Security Council, differences again emerged when General McChrystal outlined his goals: “Defeat the Taliban. Secure the population.”
That prompted a challenge by a Washington-based official, whom General McChrystal does not name, that the goal of defeating the Taliban seemed too ambitious and that the command in Kabul should settle instead for an effort to “degrade” the Taliban.
At the next video conference, General McChrystal presented a slide showing that his objectives had been derived from Mr. Obama’s own speeches and a White House strategy review. “But it was clear to me that the mission itself was now on the table for review and adjustment,” he wrote.
After General McChrystal determined that at least 40,000 additional forces were needed to reverse the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, Mr. Obama provided 30,000 and said he would ask allied nations to contribute the rest.
General McChrystal acknowledges that he had concerns that Mr. Obama’s decision to announce a date for beginning the withdrawal of the additional “surge” forces might embolden the Taliban. But the general writes that he did not challenge the decision.
“If I felt like the decision to set a withdrawal date would have been fatal to the success of our mission, I’d have said so,” he writes.
General McChrystal has little to say about the episode that led to the article in Rolling Stone. He writes that the comments attributed to his team were “unacceptable” but adds that he was surprised by the tone of the article, which he had expected would show the camaraderie among the American, British, French and Afghan officers.
As the controversy over the article grew, General McChrystal did not seek advice before offering his resignation. The book does not say if he was disappointed when Mr. Obama accepted it at a brief White House meeting.
Returning to his quarters at Fort McNair after that White House meeting, he broke the news to his wife: “I told her that our life in the Army was over.”
Three Killed In Afghan Suicide Bombing
January 6, 2013 Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
At least three people have been killed in southern Afghanistan after two suicide bombers stormed a government compound during a meeting of tribal elders.
Officials in the town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar Province said the militants killed a compound guard before driving their car onto the compound and detonating an explosive from inside the vehicle.
A spokesman for Provincial Governor Javeed Saisal said three people were killed and 15 wounded in the attack.
Kandahar, which lies near the Pakistani border, is a major corridor for Taliban militants and drugs and weapons smugglers.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Afghan army recruits say they’ll be ready to go solo
By David Zucchino Los Angeles Times January 6, 2013
KABUL, Afghanistan — Rahmatullah, an illiterate young man with a wispy beard and remnants of teenage acne, may represent the last, best hope for Afghanistan’s national army.
Wearing an old Russian-style helmet and firing an American M-16 automatic rifle, he squinted as his hissing rounds found their target on a firing range at the national training academy. At his elbow was his first cousin Azizullah, a functionally illiterate Pashtun tribesman who crouched to fire his own M-16.
The cousins decided in fall to join the Afghan National Army, which for a decade has struggled to mold itself into an effective fighting force. Both were encouraged to join by their fathers and uncles, Pashtuns from a nearby hilltop village where support for Afghan security forces is strong and hatred of Taliban insurgents runs deep.
Rahmatullah, 21, and Azizullah, 20, freely admitted that their own motives were more base: Soldiering pays about $155 a month for recruits and about $230 a month after they join a unit, better than anything they can find in their hardscrabble village. The food is plentiful and the beds are warm.
Oh yes, each recruit added, almost as an afterthought, “And I want to serve my country and protect it from its enemies,” meaning the Taliban.
The two callow Pashtun villagers and 1,400 fellow recruits in 1st Battalion, 4th Company, 1st Platoon, are the vanguard of a deeply flawed force that must fight the Taliban on its own after U.S. troops withdraw by the end of 2014. Their 18 weeks of training here will be tested in Afghanistan’s deserts and mountains, where hardened Taliban insurgents are poised to attack.
Five weeks into training, the cousins were off to a good start. Rahmatullah put 20 of 20 shots into the center of target cutouts 25 yards away. Azizullah hit 18 of 20. Neither man had ever fired a gun before — or so they claimed.
“They are motivated and they learn fast,” said the platoon instructor, 1st Sgt. Haga Mohammed. “They’ll be ready to fight when they leave here; all our guys will be ready, believe me.”
Everyone at the sun-baked Kabul Military Training Center — the recruits, the training cadre, the mustachioed Afghan commanding general, and the soft-spoken Canadian chief adviser — spouts the same line: The Afghan army is unified, with no ethnic divisions. It will be fully capable of fighting off the Taliban when U.S. forces are gone.
That, of course, is what a long parade of Afghan generals and Western advisers has been assuring training center visitors for nearly a decade — even as the army remained poorly led and ill-equipped.
“We like the Americans, and we feel stronger if we’re with them,” Rahmatullah said in his barracks, amid the sour stench of unwashed bodies. “But we’ll be ready 100 percent to fight on our own in 2014.”
Rahmatullah’s brother, 1st Sgt. Nazir Ahmad, who has fought the Taliban and is now a trainer at the center, said U.S. Marines taught him discipline under fire. “We have the lead now, but we’re a poor country and we still need weapons and equipment from the Americans,” he said.
At the front, the Afghan army’s shortcomings are obvious, and a source of constant complaint among front-line American troops.
For all the enthusiasm and bravery of individual soldiers, the army has not weaned itself from air support, artillery, fuel, weapons, ammunition, communications and combat medical aid provided by U.S. and coalition forces. Drug use, theft, corruption and desertion are common. Discipline is improving, but remains erratic.
The desertion rate is 10 percent to 15 percent, said Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaher Azimi, and no deserters have been punished. “Well, it’s a volunteer army,” he said.
The army is also undercut by ethnic tension, and by Taliban infiltrators and disaffected soldiers who shoot and kill Western troops and civilian contractors. At the command level, ethnic Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras and others fight bitterly for influence.
Afghan Brig. Gen. Aminullah Patyani, the academy commander, says any such problems can be addressed through rigorous training. As academy commander, Patyani is bullish on the army.
What about so-called insider attacks, which have caused 130 coalition deaths since 2007, including 61 in 2012? There hasn’t been a single such incident at the training center, Patyani said.
Recruits’ phony IDs and fake letters of recommendation from village elders? Increased vigilance, with fresh help from the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, has the problem under control, Patyani said.
The washout rate? No such thing. Every recruit graduates, the general said, even if they have to keep repeating their courses.
Patyani said the Afghan army was nearing its goal of 195,000 soldiers. Troop strength was expected to reach 187,000 by the end of 2012. But the academy must churn out 50,000 new soldiers a year to help keep pace with desertions, casualties and retirements.
Col. Peter J. Williams, a wiry Canadian who commands a 320-member, eight-nation adviser team, said advisers directed hands-on training in the academy’s early years. The focus was on delivering large numbers of recruits. Today, he said, advisers stand back and observe, offering quiet advice later.
“They’re getting the quantity they want,” Williams said. “Now’s the time to focus on quality.”
Williams has recommended extending the basic training course from nine weeks to 12. (Recruits take another nine-week “collective training” course after graduation.) A pilot 12-week class was this day in an elaborate ceremony featuring martial music, goose-stepping and fiery speeches.
The graduates carried no rifles. Every visitor to the ceremony, from recruits to senior officers, was searched for explosives or weapons. Armed Afghan, Canadian and private security guards stood watch, all on alert for an insider attack.
The ceremony played out without incident as Rahmatullah and Azizullah returned from the firing range. Rahmatullah was stunned to learn that his father, Azizullah’s uncle, was pacing outside the academy gate.
A Los Angeles Times reporter had phoned the father, Qandi Gul, to request an interview. His wife, Ashad Bibi, was convinced that the call meant her son had been wounded or killed. At her insistence, Gul drove his ancient rickshaw motorcycle down a mountain road to the academy.
Gul waited for hours, seeking permission for his son to speak with him. At last, the young recruit emerged. He buried his head in his father’s arms as the older man showered him with kisses.
“Call your mother right now,” Gul ordered. Rahmatullah grabbed his father’s cellphone and walked to a lonely spot along a barbed-wire fence.
Later, in the mud-walled village of Qalai Mohsen, Gul described how he had practically ordered his son, and his nephew too, to join the army. Gul served six years as an Afghan police officer. Three sons, including Rahmatullah, are in the security forces. So are three nephews.
Most of the men in the village, in fact, are in the army or police. Gul’s compound overlooks the national police training academy. On display inside his home is a photo of his eldest son in uniform.
Over a meal of steaming lamb, rice and spinach spread out on his floor, Gul says the village is rabidly anti-Taliban. They are Pashtuns, like most of the Taliban, but Gul calls the insurgents “devils and thieves.”
When he was a police officer, a pro-Taliban mullah told him he wasn’t a real Muslim because he served the U.S.-backed government.
“I told him, ‘I’m a true Muslim and an Afghan patriot who serves his country, and I’ll send all my sons to serve their country,’ ” Gul said.
“The army, the government, will stand against the Taliban, and against Pakistan, even after the Americans are gone,” Gul said, sucking on a cracked lamb bone.
Beside him was another son, Ruhollah. Thin and dark-eyed, Ruhollah said he tried to join the army in 2011, but was rejected because he wasn’t yet 18. He had just turned 18 and planned to sign up soon.
In Gul’s lap was his youngest son, Haroon, 21/2. The boy gurgled and stuffed a wad of rice into his mouth.
His father took the boy in his arms and nuzzled him with his bearded chin.
“One day,” he said, squeezing Haroon, “another soldier for the army.”
Los Angeles Times special correspondent Hashmat Baktash contributed to this report.
Taliban commander among 16 killed in U.S. drone strike in NW Pakistan
By Zhang Qi, Raheela Nazir
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- An important Taliban commander was among the 16 people kill in Sunday's U.S. drone strike in Pakistan's northwest tribal area of South Waziristan, local media reported.
Wali Muhammad, alias Toofan Mehsud, who was in charge of Pakistani Taliban's suiciders' wing, was believed to be killed in the strike, local Urdu TV channel Geo quoted unidentified sources as saying.
However, there is no official confirmation about the death of Wali Muhammad either from the government sources or from the Taliban side.
U.S. drones on Sunday launched a massive strike at a stronghold of militants in the Babar Ghar area of South Waziristan, in which at least eight missiles were fired at different targets, leaving three militant hideouts destroyed and at least 16 militants killed.
The strike also injured several other militants.
Five U.S. drones were reportedly involved in the attack.
Sunday's U.S. drone strike is the third of its kind in Pakistan since the beginning of this year and also the largest over the last couple of months.
In the wee hours of Thursday morning, U.S drones fired four missiles at a target in South Waziristan, leaving at least 10 militants killed, including Taliban commander Mullah Nazir. Later in the day, U.S. drones launched another strike in the neighboring tribal area of North Waziristan, killing at least four militants.
Following the strikes, thousands of tribesmen staged a rally in protest against the U.S. drone strikes in Waziristan on Saturday and Pakistan foreign office spokesman also condemned the strikes.
However, the U.S. side has turned a deaf ear to the protests and condemnation and continues to press ahead with its drone strike in the country's northwest tribal areas of North and South Waziristan along the Afghan border.
U.S. insists that drone strike is an effective way to wipe out the militants hiding along the Afghan border in Pakistan, who often launch cross-border attacks on the U.S.-led NATO troops and Afghan forces in Afghanistan.
News Analysis: Will Taliban release lead to Afghan national reconciliation?
By Abdul Haleem
KABUL, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan government has sped up the release of Taliban detainees over the past couple of months in hopes of accelerating the peace process and national reconciliation ahead of 2014 withdrawal of NATO-led troops from the militancy-ridden Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Taliban detainees held formerly by the U.S. military in Bagram, the main U.S. military base in Afghanistan, have been freed over the past two months. The latest batch composed of 129 people were set free in Taliban former stronghold Kandahar province on Saturday.
At the request of Afghan government, Pakistan has also set free more than two dozen Taliban detainees including senior Taliban leader Mawlawi Noorudin Tarabi and commander Anwarul Haq Mujahid since November, which was praised by Kabul as a step forward to facilitate talks with Taliban.
Officials in Kabul believe that the freed Taliban would serve as intermediaries between Afghan administration and the Taliban leadership allegedly sheltering in Pakistan.
Afghan Presidential Spokesman Aimal Faizi has welcomed the release of Taliban detainees by Pakistan, saying the government of Afghanistan supports the former detainees and would provide security for them if they return to Afghanistan.
However, Afghan observers doubt the capability and goodwill of the former Taliban detainees to conduct peace talks in Afghanistan. "Since the released Taliban leaders have not joined the government of Afghanistan, I don't think their release could serve peace process in the country," said legislator Bilqis Roshan in a television panel discussion.
None of the former detainees have formally joined the government-backed peace process in Afghanistan. Nor has Pakistan formally handed over any released Taliban element to Kabul.
However, Afghan officials believe the release of Taliban prisoners would bolster the government-initiated national reconciliation. "We are sure their release could further help the government efforts seek peace and it will support the peace and reconciliation process in the country," said Mohammad Yar Barakzai, an official of Afghan Defense Ministry who set free 129 Taliban detainees in Kandahar on Saturday.
More than 350 prisoners have been released from Bagram detention center over the past couple of days. "What the released Taliban have done towards peace and national reconciliation so far?" parliamentarian Zalmai Zabuli questioned in the television panel discussion, adding the freed Taliban would have no role in bringing about peace and security in the country.
The Taliban outfit has vowed to continue Jihad or holy war against the NATO-led troops stationed in Afghanistan. "Those have been set free would either go home or rejoin the Taliban rank to fight the government," former Afghan diplomat and political analyst Ahmad Sayedi told Xinhua.
US troops interpreters misbehave with Afghan civilians
By Sajad Khaama Press January 6, 2013
According to reports US special forces based in Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan are conducting operations without coordinating with the local officials and Afghan security forces.
The US special forces and their Afghan interpreters have also been accused of humiliating innocent local residents in Nerkh distict.
The issue was discussed during the national secuirty council meeting led by president Hamid Karzai on Sunday where Afghan defense minister shared the issue.
Afghan presidential media office following a statement said, “Based on the information collected from the individuals who were humiliated and according to reports of the delegation appointed to investigate the issue, around 7 to 8 Afghan interpreters of the US special forces who are using Afghan commandos uniforms during the operations and local residents are complaining regarding their bad behaviours.”
Defense minister quoted in the presidential palace statement said, “When we asked NATO forces to hand over the interpreters, they told us that they are not here and have fled the area.”
The national security council of Afghanistan appointed a delegation to strictly follow the incident and called on coalition officials in Kabul to introduce those involved behind the misbehaviours with the innocent civilians to judiciary institutions.
Afghan interior ministry was also ordered to follow the reports and take necessary actions for disarming irresponsible individuals.
Taliban vow war if US stay in Afghanistan after 2014
AFP January 6, 2013
KABUL - The Taliban on Saturday warned of a prolonged war in Afghanistan if any foreign troops stay after the end of 2014, as Kabul and Washington prepare to discuss the "residual" US security presence.
President Barack Obama and President Hamid Karzai will hold talks in the US next week on a long-term security pact between the two countries, with US troops remaining in Afghanistan at the top of the agenda.
"If America wants to leave a small or large number of its troops for whatever length of time then it means war and destruction will continue in the region for that same length," the Taliban said in a statement.
"If Karzai and the Kabul regime agree with the presence of even a single American soldier then, just as presently, they shall also be responsible for all future hostilities, casualties and destruction."
The latest media reports suggest the US Department of Defense has prepared plans that leave either 3,000, 6,000 or 9,000 troops in the country, focused on striking at Al-Qaeda militants.
US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has said the slimmed-down force would focus on preventing Al-Qaeda, which was sheltered by the 1996-2001 Taliban government, from regaining a foothold in the war-shattered nation.
Troops would also continue training the Afghan army and police, who will be responsible for national security more than a decade after a US-led alliance ousted the Taliban regime.
General John Allen, commander of US and NATO forces, had earlier suggested leaving up to 15,000 troops, and the new forecasts would mean scrapping a plan for diplomatic posts across Afghanistan, the Wall Street Journal said.
Fewer soldiers would also heighten US reliance on drones to monitor and target militants after most manned aircraft and their pilots pull out, the paper added.
The NATO coalition, which has been fighting an insurgency by Taliban Islamists since 2001, reduced troop numbers by about 30,000 in 2012 and is due to end its mission by the end of 2014. The 100,000 international forces still in Afghanistan are mentoring the army and police to gradually take over all security duties, while the Afghan government has appointed negotiators to open peace talks with the Taliban.
Defence Ministry Hopes Karzai Visit Addresses Equipment, Air Force
TOLOnews.com By Sharif Amiry Saturday, 05 January 2013
The ministry of national defense said Saturday that it hopes that issues related to equipping the Afghan army and building the air force will be addressed during President Karzai's visit to Washington.
Spokesman of the defense ministry said that although the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) are capable of holding their own in 2014, equipping and providing them with air support will remain critical.
"One of the important topics at the talks is equipping the national army. And concerns about the air force will be a priority," said Gen. Zahir Azimi, defence ministry spokesman.
Previously, head of the Afghan Transition Coordination Commission -- the body responsible for handling the security transition from Isaf to Afghan forces -- had warned that Afghanistan risked losing its "national identity" after 2014 if the troops aren't adequately prepared.
Afghan civil society also emphasizes a responsive, corruption-free government as critical to Afghanistan's stability post-2014.
"If a healthy, accountable and corruption-free system is put together, I think it will give Afghanistan a national identity. But if interference by neigbouring countries continues, it will definitely cause problems," said Mir Ahmad Joyanda, head of the Foundation for Culture and Civil Society.
Reacting to President Karzai's Washington trip, the Taliban have warned that they would continue to fight if following the visit, the sides agreed upon the presence of US troops after 2014.
There will be no agreements as a result of the trip, but the future US military presence will be discussed, according to the ministry of foreign affairs.
2012 was a tough year for Afghanistan. 2013 will be tougher
With foreign troops leaving, a presidential election edging closer and a potential peace deal with the rebels still far from certain, a crucial phase in the struggle for Afghanistan's future is set to unfold.
Global Post By Chris Sands January 5, 2013
KABUL, Afghanistan - When a female member of the Afghan police shot dead a US contractor last month, another grim new marker was laid down in the war.
The killing in Kabul was the first insider attack by a woman since the conflict began. It brought a tough year to a fitting end and served as an early signpost for what could be an even harder 2013.
American and NATO officials have been eager to talk about significant progress being made here, but for most people these are worrying times.
With foreign troops leaving, a presidential election edging closer and a potential peace deal with the rebels still far from certain, a crucial phase in the struggle for Afghanistan's future is set to unfold.
In certain corners of the country that fight is already well underway. Mountainous and remote, Nuristan is a small example of what could happen post-occupation.
Eight American soldiers were killed there in an October 2009 attack by hundreds of insurgents. Soon afterwards the US made what seemed like a hasty retreat — closing outposts and bases in the province.
Although periodic military operations have occurred in the area since then, only the rebels appear to pay it constant attention.
Hafiz Abdul Qayum represents Nuristan in the Afghan senate. He told GlobalPost the police there often only exist on paper, with corrupt local officials exaggerating the numbers to enrich themselves on money meant to pay for officers.
He claimed even the center of the province — a district called Parun — is divided into three part: the government, the Taliban and a rival insurgent group, Hizb-e-Islami.
"It is very difficult to remove anyone who sets up a position in Nuristan," Qayum said. "This was the reason the Russians were not able to capture the territory and it was the same with the Americans."
Unless the government pays more attention to the province, he added, rebels will use it as a staging post to spread further into the north and east.
Nuristan's isolation and historical reputation for being fiercely independent means the situation there could be viewed as an anomaly. However, some analysts see similar scenarios developing elsewhere.
A report published by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last September predicted the insurgents will start to make important gains this spring and summer.
"The coalition is likely underestimating the extent of the Taliban advance in 2013," the report said. It warned that within two years about a quarter of Afghanistan's districts could fall totally under militant control. Most of the others will be exposed to their activities.
Success will eventually mean they can "free up forces and focus on their next objective — the capture of provincial capitals."
One man who agrees the insurgents are capable of victory is Mohammed Hasan Wolusmal, a veteran journalist who met the Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar several times in the years prior to the 2001 US-led invasion.
He believes the war will escalate in the months ahead as regional powers exert growing influence on the ground and popular support against NATO and the government gathers momentum.
"When the Americans and their allies came to Afghanistan the people were very happy, including me," he said. "But with lots of sorrow I say the Americans have drowned themselves and us."
The US Department of Defense takes a different stance. In a December 2012 report it claimed the rebels were losing “territory overall."
Insider attacks, government corruption and militant safe havens in Pakistan were acknowledged as problems, but the report said, "The coalition continued to make measured progress toward achieving its strategic goals."
It added that NATO would carry on redeploying troops and closing bases during the next six months in preparation for withdrawal at the end of 2014.
Before then Afghan forces are due to take the lead in combat operations across the country later this year. How stable the political situation will be throughout such a crucial period is a matter of some debate.
Attempts to negotiate with the insurgents have proved unsuccessful so far, but there are tentative signs that could change.
Ghulam Jelani Zwak, director of the Afghan Analytical and Advisory Center, told GlobalPost there was a strong chance of the Hizb-e-Islami rebel faction declaring its backing for a candidate in the build up to the April 2014 presidential election.
"I don't know if [the group's leader] Gulbuddin Hekmatyar will come and participate in the election or support someone. I think [he] will support someone," he said.
The main reason for this, Zwak explained, is a fear among the predominantly Pashtun insurgents that if they oppose the election, a candidate from one of the country's ethnic minorities could triumph.
Who that may be is still unclear as the old Northern Alliance movement that fought the Taliban in the 1990s is now divided.
Many Afghans fear these differences will cause the country to again descend into civil war. Although Zwak doubts that will happen, he does not expect a halt to the bloodshed anytime soon.
"There is hope for negotiations but the gaps between the Taliban, the United States and [the government] are very big. It's not easy to jump over these hurdles," he said.
Sediq Sediq recalled from India for his comments on Pakistan
By Jawed Rostapoor Khaama Press January 6, 2013
Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi was summoned by interior minister Mojtaba Patang while he was attending a 7 days seminar in India.
He returned to Kabul after the attending the seminar only for two days and was reportedly called back by interior minister following his comments regarding Pakistan.
A source in interior ministry speaking on condition of anonymity told Khaama Press, “Interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi, a day before leaving for India and during his interview with a foreign news agency informed of continued interference by Pakistan in Afghanistan affairs and accused the Pakistani government for supporting the Taliban militants.”
The source further added, “Afghan ambassador to Pakistan Omer Daudzai was summoned by Pakistan foreign ministry a day after Mr. Sediqi’s comments and asked him to clarify the comments of interior ministry spokesman sediq Sediqi.”
The official also added, “Afghan ambassador in Islamabad informed Afghan presidential palace regarding his impeachment by Pakistan foreign ministry which led to instructions by president office to Mojtaba Patang in order to query Mr. Sediqi regarding his interview and attempt to break agreement between the two nations.”
This comes as the two nations recently agreed to prevent conspiracies by the government spokesmen however Pakistani officials are saying that Mr. sediqi has breached the agreement.
In the meantime political observers believe that Mr. Sediqi was recalled from India by presidential palace officials since Pakistan has a considerable influence inside the president office. They are also saying that individuals working inside the presidential palace are under the influence of neighboring Pakistan and Iran who are not prepared to tolerate comments against the two neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
Meanwhile it is yet not clear if Mr. Sediqi will be able to continue as interior ministry spokesman or not, since the observers believe that he might become victim of the influential individuals working for the neighboring countries of Afghanistan.
Iran wants all “aliens” out of Afghanistan after 2014
January 6, 2013 The Hindu
As Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai prepares for a visit to the United States, Iran has made it plain that it opposes the presence of American troops on Afghan soil after a formal exit in 2014.
Using a convoluted formulation, the visiting head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Saeed Jalili said in Kabul that not only should “aliens” leave the country, Afghanistan’s national sovereignty must also always be respected. Mr. Jalili — fresh from his visit to India where Afghanistan’s transition post-2014 was a salient topic for discussion — praised the Afghan people’s “historical background in not accepting aliens”. He added that this was Afghanistan’s “big asset” that imparted a powerful impulse to preserve “national sovereignty”.
The New York Times reported that the Obama administration was considering maintaining a force of 3,000 to 9,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014. It noted that the U.S. and Afghanistan began talks in November on a possible agreement that would authorise an American troop presence in Afghanistan after 2014.
“Any force that remains is expected to have several missions. It would include Special Operations forces, which would be assigned to carry out raids against Al Qaeda and other terrorist groups that are deemed to threaten American interests,” said the report. The write-up also observed that “troops would also advise and mentor the Afghan Army and police in conjunction with forces from other NATO nations”.
On the contrary, Mr. Jalili signalled a regional approach, free from foreign presence, for providing security and enabling nation-building in Afghanistan.
“He [Mr. Jalili] expressed pleasure with process of formation and consolidation of national government in Afghanistan and expressed Iran’s readiness to transfer its experiences in different fields for more security development, progress and prosperity for Afghan people,” reported the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) following Mr. Jalili’s meeting with Mr. Karzai on Saturday.
Apart from the Iranians, the Russians have also declared their opposition to the presence in Afghanistan of American forces that are not mandated by the United Nations Security Council. In an interview with Afghan website Tolonews, Russian Foreign Minister stated that he found it “strange that while insisting that in 2014 the American troops, NATO troops I assume, would leave Afghanistan, at the same time Washington discusses with Afghanistan very purposefully the establishment of four five military bases for the post 2014 period”. He added: “I don’t think why this should be done this way because if you need the military presence, then you continue the implement the mandate of the Security Council. If you don't want to implement the mandate of the Security Council or you believe that you have implemented the mandate already, but still want to establish and keep the military bases, I don’t think it's logical.”
Separately, the Taliban has issued a statement berating Mr. Karzai for undertaking his journey to Washington “to sign a security pact which would pave the way for the presence of American troops in Afghanistan and through which America would continue its crooked policies in the region”. The Talban warned Washington that if it believes “it can implement its malicious policies and find a secure base for itself by leaving a residual troops presence then we clearly state that these dreams are only dreams which can and will not materialise just as they failed to materialise in the past eleven years”.
During his visit, Mr. Jalili also discussed with Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, Afghanistan’s national security advisor, the expansion of the transit corridor from the Iranian port of Chabahar into Afghanistan — a move that would reduce the landlocked country’s dependence on Pakistani ports for its trade.
Pakistani Religious Scholar Dies
VOA News January 6, 2013
Prominent Pakistani religious scholar Qazi Hussain Ahmed has died at the age of 74.
He was the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan's leading religious group, for 22 years before stepping down in 2009.
In November, Ahmed escaped unhurt from an assassination attempt when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near him.
He was a strong critic of the U.S.-NATO participation in the civil war in neighboring Afghanistan.
Ahmed died Sunday morning in Islamabad. He had suffered from heart disease for years.
Pakistan Closes Torkham Border Again
TOLOnews.com By Milad Sekandari Saturday, 05 January 2013
Pakistan closed the Torkham border to Afghan citizens without visas and refugee cards, Pakistani border officials said Saturday.
They added that the order came from the federal government to restrict cross-border traffic only to people with Pakistani visas.
Afghan citizens, who are stranded at the border and facing the winter cold, have asked the government to help resolve the issue.
"Thousands of sick people with serious conditions are stranded on the border. Afghan citizens face more difficulties than Pakistanis. There are no Pakistani women or children on the border -- all are Afghan," an Afghan woman told TOLOnews.
Afghans travel frequently to Pakistan for medical visits, usually for cases more serious than Afghan medical facilities can handle. They also frequently travel across the border for business and to meet families.
The Afghan consul general in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, the Pakistani province where Torkham border is located, said talks with Pakistani officials are underway.
"Border officials said that we do not allow those who have not extended their refugee cards. But when we called Pakistani officials, they said that Afghans who have refugee cards should be allowed to cross the border," said Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimi.
Millions of Afghans lived in Pakistan during the period of conflict in Afghanistan. Their cross-border has been largely unimpeded except for periods of border closures.
The current closure comes after another recent border closure two weeks ago when Pakistani truck drivers complained of mistreatment in Afghanistan. More than a dozen people, mostly Afghans, were reported to have died in the two-day period because of the cold and not receiving timely medical attention.
Afghanistan's Saffron Export Increases 14%
TOLOnews.com By Shahla Murtazaie Saturday, 05 January 2013
Saffron exports in the first nine months of 2012 increased by around 14% compared to the year before, said the Afghanistan Raisin, Fruits and Vegetable Promotion Agency on Saturday.
Around 1,600 kilograms of saffron were exported in the first nine months of 2012, which is around 200 kilograms more than the preceding year.
The Agency also said the exports of onions, potatoes, tomatoes, celery and other vegetables increased by more than 2,000 tonnes compared to the first nine months of 2011.
Most of Afghanistan's onion exports goes to neighboring Pakistan, while its potato exports are consumed in the Middle East, according to the Agency.
The increase in the exports of saffron is welcome news for Afghanistan, which has been promoting saffron as an alternative crop to opium poppy. Saffron is suited to the Afghan climate and has been adopted in Herat and Ghazni provinces.
The ministry of agriculture, irrigation and livestock plans to promote it more widely.
Kabul Airport Opens VIP Saloon for International Guests
TOLOnews.com By Hazim Arash Saturday, 05 January 2013
A VIP saloon with a capacity for 100 international guests opened at the Kabul Airport with a cost of $50,000, said the ministry of foreign affairs.
The ministry added that the saloon was built after a decision made by the National Security Council.
"The saloon is built according to international standards," said Zalmai Rasool, minister of foreign affairs.
A second VIP lounge will be built for the presidents of other countries visiting Afghanistan, the ministry added.
"In the near future, there will be a special saloon built by the foreign ministry upon the president's decree," Rasoul added.
www.afghanistannewscenter.com