NATO's International Security Assistance Force said it was aware of an explosion near a military base but didn't know how many casualties there were.
Eyewitnesses at the scene of the attack said two German SUVs were driving on a gravel road when a mine exploded. Helicopters arrived at the scene and took three bodies away, the eyewitnesses said.
Later, French troops with anti-mine equipment and
Western journalists are being warned that terrorists might be planning to take them hostage in
Western intelligence agencies have credible reports indicating that terrorists plan to lure journalists with offers of interviews.
It warns that anyone travelling by road in the country should only do so with armed protection.
There are unconfirmed reports that Korean government has paid four million dollar for the release of two of the 21 kidnapped Koreans.
Since the Korean hostage crisis Taliban has repeatedly said that they are very happy with their abduction strategy and they will reinforce it.
A Polish officer was killed during an attack on a military convoy in eastern Afghanistan on Tuesday, making him the first soldier from Poland to be killed in the Afghan mission, the defense minister said.
2nd Lt. Lukasz Kurowski, 28, was killed in an exchange of fire some 20 kilometers (12 miles) southeast of a base in the city of Gardez, Aleksander Szczyglo said on TVN24 television.
Kurowski was immediately taken to a hospital, but died on the way, Szczyglo said.
He is the first fatality among the 1,200 troops that Poland has stationed in Afghanistan as part of a NATO mission. In Iraq, Poland has reported the deaths of 21 soldiers.
Polish troops are stations in Paktya and Ghazni province in eastern Afghanistan.
A battle group of B company is stationed in Andare district of southern Ghazni. Polish troops are laying on Taliban and Alqaida communication line. Most of Taliban foreign supporters are entering Afghanistan from waziristan of Pakistan. Their route to southern Afghanistan goes pass southern paktia and andare district of Ghazni.
Polish forward basis are not under direct pressure from local Taliban but patrol remains a challenge. Going out on patrol means a good chance of coming across a militant caravan.
i am also hearing reports that there was an attack on foreign troops in kabul. according to kabul police cheif the attack happened fifteen minutes ago and three german soldiers has been killed
it's unclear yet, if it was a mine or a suicide attack.
We would like to take this opportunity to bring to your kind attention Kamran Mir Hazar’s case, after his unlawful arrest by the NDS on 4th July 2007 he was referred to media complaints and violation commission for assessment of the alleged violation. The commission issued its verdict on Thursday 9th Aug and sent their conclusion to Kamran on the same day.
On that same day Kamran was kidnapped by NDS again for questioning and intimidation. This is despite the resolution of media commission which didn’t find Kamran in direct violation of the law.
If the Afghan government and the media commission do not take any action, the journalists will have no option but to launch mass protest at national and international level against NDS, in the framework of Afghan law.
بنام خداوند جان و خرد
به جلالتماب رئیس حامد کرزی رئیس جمهور افغانستان
وزير محترم اطلاعات و فرهنگ کشور
کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای
با عرض سلام نگاشته می شود که دوسيه ی کامران ميرهزار، خبرنگار راديو سلام وطندار و سردبير سايت اينترنتی کابل پرس، پس از بازداشت غير قانونی توسط امنيت ملی در تاريخ 13 سرطان سال روان، به کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای ارسال شد که اين کميسيون روز 5 شنبه 18 اسد به صورت رسمی فيصله خود را به دفتر کامران ارسال نمود. متاسفانه علی رغم اينکه دوسيه بعد ازتخلف قانونی آشکار توسط امنيت ملی افغانستان، به کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای ارجاع شد و نيز اتحاديه ی ملی ژورناليستان افغانستان ضمانت ايشان را بر عهده داشت،ايشان در همان روز 5 شنبه 18 اسد سال روان، دوباره به صورت غير قانونی توسط نيروهای امنيت ملی ربود شد. در طی يک ماه اخير نيز آقای کامران ميرهزار باز هم به صورت غير قانونی تحت نظارت و تعقيب نيروهای امنيت ملی قرار داشت.
متاسفانه علی رغم اينکه وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ و کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای، وظيفه ی حفاظت و نگهداری از قانون رسانه های همگانی و آزادی بيان را بر عهده دارد اما در واکنش به سه مورد تخلف آشکار امنيت ملی افغانستان (بازداشت غيرقانونی اول و دوم و نيز تعقيب و گريز غير قانونی در طول يکماه) از خود هيچ واکنشی نشان نداده است. بدينوسيله خبرنگاران افغانستان از رئیس جمهور افغانستان محترم حامد کرزی، وزارت محترم اطلاعات و فرهنگ و همچنين کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای می خواهد بنابر وظيفه ی قانونی خود، نسبت به سه مورد اقدام غير قانونی رياست امنيت ملی افغانستان، واکنش کاملا جدی، اکيد و اعتراض آميز نشان داده و مانع از ادامه ی اقدامات غير قانونی در آينده شود.
در صورتی که دولت افغانستان، وزارت اطلاعات و فرهنگ و کميسيون بررسی شکايات و رسيدگی به تخلفات رسانه ای، نسبت به اين موارد تخلف آشکار، بی توجهی نشان دهند، خبرنگاران افغانستان ناچار خواهند بود که دست به اعتراضات گسترده در سطح داخلی و بين المللی، در چوکات قانون، بزنند.
با احترام
خبرنگاران افغانستان
Your Excellency!
I am pleased to have the opportunity to have a glance at your country and to write some lines about your attitude because the principles within the Qur’an are facts and realities that should be expressed without being scared of cruelty. You are the captain of a wrecked ship which has made efforts over time to get to shore. You have fought the deadly storms and now the cruise has come to an end.
The wildness of night, fear of waves, roars of the crocodiles in the ambush and worried passengers [aboard the ship] tell the story of the depth of this deadly tragedy and there is no end to the night, thus no signs of the shore. In this period of time, it is only you who can figure out the fate of the journey sometimes by expedience and knowledge and sometimes by carelessness and ignorance. It is a fact, you have only one option. You will either follow the Babul status breaker or Azer status seller. You go to the war of Pharaoh or you worship the golden goat of the Samaritans [the speaking calf which was raised at the time of Moses]. Whether you bow to the status of shame or you join the Ashab-e Kahf, whether you become enamoured to the insults of Satan or you receive the mercy of God, these all relate to your decision.
Only today is yours, who knows about tomorrow? What was the result to the nation from your yesterday and many years of endeavours? Unfortunately, not only are they not satisfied, but they are miserable. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban are stronger than ever, more drugs and NATO and American armies ruder and more obstinate than the Nazis. They threaten all that one has, life has turned into death and freedom is crucified.
Mr. Karzai!
People never trust the government and government departments anymore because each person has turned each place to his personal farm. They say/think that the customers in the government departments are their servants, asking from them bribes and money under different means. Then they feel pride and term themselves the nobles of society.
Mr. Karzai!
The establishment of guest houses and night clubs, the import of commonplace films, clips and serials…they insult the values of thousands of years of age. The poppy which is oozing mainly from places where British forces are stationed does not mean anything but revenge, because Britain has lost its great empire as the result of the strong [actions] of Afghans so that today they have returned to seek a reckoning with us.
President!
If you want to succeed then you should refer to the nation and ask them for solutions to the problems even though they are poor, with bare feet and broken hearted, but the very nation trusted you and voted for you. If you believe that the problems of
حوالی ساعت 2 شب کذشته ولسوالی میدا وردک از سوی مخالفین دولت مورد هدف فیر راکت قرار گرفت که طی این حمله رادیو یووالی غژ میدان وردک کاملا حریق شده است.
ولسوال ولایت میدان وردک ضمن تایید این خبر به آژانس خبررسانی روزگفت:
طالبان حوالی ساعت 2 دیشب بالای تعمیر ولسوالی حمله نمودندکه مورد مقاومت نیروهای پولیس قرارگرفت .
وی می افزاید: "در نتیجه این حمله یک راکت بالای تعمیر رادیو یووالی غژ اصابت نموده که تعمیر رادیومذکور کاملا حریق گردیده است."
حضرت الدین نصرت مسوول رادیو یووالی غربه روز چنین می گوید:
در نبرد دیشب میان طالبان ونیروی پولیس ملی یک راکت از سوی طالبان فیر وبه تعمیر رادیواصابت نموده که تعمیر رادیونامبرده با 40 هزار دالرامریکایی تجیزات آن کاملا حریق شده است.
نصرت می افزاید:
رادیویووالی مدت 3 سال می شود که با 12 نفر پرسونل درولسولی سیدآباد میدان وردک شروع به نشرات نموده است.
To reaffirm and further strengthen the resolve of two brotherly countries to bring sustainable peace in the region, Afghan - Pak Joint Peace Jirga was convened in
The main recommendations made by the first Joint Peace Jirga are summarized as follows:
1. Joint Peace Jirga strongly recognizes the fact that terrorism is a common threat to both countries & the war on terror should continue to be an integral part of the national policies and security strategies of both countries. The participants of this jirga unanimously declare to an extended, tireless and persistent campaign against terrorism and further pledge that government and people of
2. The Joint Peace Jirga resolved to constitute a smaller Jirga consisting of 25 prominent members from each side that is mandated to strive to achieve the following objectives:
a. Expedite the ongoing process of dialogue for peace and reconciliation with opposition.
b. Holding of regular meetings in order to monitor and oversee the implementation of the decisions /recommendations of the Joint Peace Jirga.
c. Plan and facilitate convening of the next Joint Peace Jirgas.
d. Both countries will appoint 25 members each in the committee.
3. The Joint Peace Jirga once again emphasizes the vital importance of brotherly relations in pursuance of policies of mutual respect, non-interference and peaceful coexistence and recommends further expansion of economic, social, and cultural relations between the two countries.
4. Members of the Joint Peace Jirga in taking cognizance of the nexus between narcotics and terrorism condemn the cultivation, processing and trafficking of poppy and other illicit substances and call upon the two governments to wage an all out war against this menace. The Jirga takes note of the responsibilities of the international community in enabling
5. The governments of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Islamic Republic of Pakistan, with the support of the international community, should implement infrastructure, economic and social sector projects in the affected areas.
6. The comprehensive and important recommendations made by the five working committees of the Joint Peace Jirga for implementation are attached as annexure and form part and parcel of this joint declaration.
Photo by Fardin Waezi
Today is the last day of the four-day peace jirga between
Radio Yawali Ghag of Sayedabad district was burned down by Taliban last night.
A large number of Taliban fighters attacked the southern district of Sayedabad in Wardak province at around 02:00 AM today. A fierce battle broke out between police and Taliban using small arms and RPGs. The fight continued for three hours until the dawn, Taliban fled when Army reinforcements arrived from
In the first hour of attack, a group of ten or twelve came to the radio station, tied up and beaten the guard. “they took one computer and the guard with them, but burned down everything else” said Hazratuddin Nosrat manager of yawalighag radio station. The guard was later found alive in the mountains.
Radio Yawalighag is a community radio station and an affiliate of Salam Watandar network. The station was broadcasting around ten hours a day, including four hours of salam watandar. The radio station board adopted an editorial policy inline with the local culture. “we had appropriate programs. In sayedabad we have to strictly adhere with Islamic principles” said Hazratuddin Nosrat. The radio station since its establishment has managed a good community relation. it was never threaten by Taliban or any other group. The destruction of the station wasn’t a deliberate target but rather an opportunistic sabotage action. According to radio station guard, the Taliban could have been local, they had a wardak accent.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is shocked to learn of the detention under murky and suspicious circumstances of Kamran Mir Hazar, chief editor for a popular news website in
According to information received from IFJ associates in
IFJ associates the Afghan Independent Journalists’ Association (AIJA) and the Committee to Protect Afghan Journalists (CPAJ) have since made a number of inquiries with the ANSD, only to be met with a flat denial that the agency has anything to do with Mr Hazar’s abduction.
The Ministry of Information has yet to either confirm or deny his arrest.
The IFJ learns that Mr Hazar was taken for “questioning” one month back by the ANSD, following a number of media reports critical of high-ranking Afghan government officials. Following his release after four days of detention, he was reportedly living inside the
Journalist organisations have referred that particular detention to the empowered body under Afghan media law, for an advisory opinion about its validity under law. The IFJ understands that no official determination has yet been made and the reasons for his first detention remain unaccounted.
“We have heard from reliable sources that the program Salam Watandar, or ‘Hello, Citizen’, has been making a significant contribution to enriching the public discourse in
“We stand as one with the community of journalists in
The IFJ lends its unconditional support to the AIJA, the CPAJ, and the emergency committee formed in defence of Kamran Mir Hazar.
A global body representing over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries, the IFJ fully endorses the demand made after a meeting of the emergency committee that Mr Hazar be released immediately, and that the men responsible for his abduction be identified and brought to account at once.
For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 114 countries
… I caught most of an interview of Khorshied Samad.
I have to say up front that when she was introduced as "Khorshied Samad, the wife of Afghan ambassador to Canada Omar Samad", it made me feel a little odd. I knew nothing of this woman, but surely if she is being interviewed on the radio then she has done something more important than just being "husband to" somebody. At least I hope so.
http://bradgagne.blogspot.com/2007/06/korshied-samad-on-sounds-like-canada.html
And then after a lengthy interview detailing the struggles of women in
Great work there CBC.
At the ongoing grand peace jirga in
The six-page document — titled “Pak-Afghan Jirga: Draft Declaration” — says that
The document, which was distributed among the delegates of the jirga, said there was no military solution to the current conflict in
It calls for the creation of a tribal council or a peace and reconciliation jirga, comprising 25 representatives each from
The tribal council, it says, shall comprise only tribesmen and will not include any government representatives from the two sides.
The council, says the document, would solicit the response of the resistance and engage with the government in Kabul on how best to find common ground between the positions held by the two sides, keeping in mind the imperatives of the unity of Afghanistan, its territorial integrity, sovereignty and its fundamental character as an Islamic, democratic country.
It says that the tribal council would address all issues which impact on the impasse as far as negotiations between the government and resistance are concerned and seek a comprehensive resolution to the conflict within the framework of a united Afghanistan free of militancy and extremism and address the root cause of the conflict and violence including the question of the presence of coalition forces in that country.
The document says that as soon as the peace and conciliation jirga begins its consultations with the resistance, including the Taliban and the Hezb-i-Islami (Hekmatyar), a ceasefire should come into effect between the resistance and Afghan/coalition forces for a period to be mutually agreed upon.
“This would give a respite to both the resistance and the (Afghan) government to consider coolly and dispassionately the grave situation confronting the nation and the likely options on how best to resolve the conflict,” it says.
According to the draft declaration,
“All possible measures, therefore, must be adopted to ensure that this becomes a border of peace and friendship bringing the two countries closer together” and those crossing the border with ulterior motives must be confronted by institutions and systems rooted in the culture of the area.
The draft declaration also seeks to call upon the governments of
According to the draft declaration,
From DAWN
Afghan Ambassador Omar Samad and Panamanian envoy Romy Vasqez de Gonzales have been voted the sexiest heads of mission among the diplomatic corps in 
His wife, Khorshied Samad, was also voted sexiest spouse of an ambassador–impressiv
Still in the sexy category, this time for male heads of mission, Austrian 
For females, Ambassador Beatriz Valle of 
Vasela Mrden Korac took third place.
best-dressed male ambassador category. "I am very flattered as my family is incredulous that I should be considered well dressed," he said. "My success in this category can only be attributed to my high commission's savvy in manipulating the poll."
Following behind Mr. Cary's coattails were Italian Ambassador Gabriele Sardo, Bahamian High Commissioner Philip Smith, and French Ambassador Daniel
Jouanneau.
Siguté Jakstonyté of
With Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent open criticism of
humour. Ambassadors Georgiy Mamedov of
Interestingly, Messrs Mamedov and Wilkins also share the dubious title of ambassador with the corniest jokes, garnering a larger percentage of votes in this category than the Best Sense of Humour one.
The American ambassador scored well in a number of other categories, including most discreet ambassador, envoy with the most influence–won by a whopping 75.5 per cent– and runner up for hardest working ambassador. He also got high marks for best hair, sexiest male ambassador and knowing the best political gossip. His wife, Susan Wilkins, was voted ambassador's spouse with the most influence, and came behind Mrs. Samad as most high profile spouse of an ambassador.
Men tend not to fuss about their hair as much as women do, unless of course their hairlines are receding. But if the votes are anything to go by, one might assume that Norwegian ambassador Tor Berntin Naess spends a fair amount of time at the hairdresser. Regardless, survey respondents thought
the Nordic gentleman has a pretty impressive set of locks, and crowned him s the male ambassador with the best hair in town.
For Caucasians, women with blonde hair have always had a special allure, so it was no surprise that in the female with best hair category, Mrs. Korac of
If there is anything that defines diplomats, it's their knack for throwing parties and lunches, where a suit and tie is the formal dress code. So what is a diplomat without the cocktail parties and the lunches? In that regard, Embassy thought it would be wise to include a category called ambassador with the best business lunches.
Not withstanding the fact that
"I have been in the [diplomatic] business for over a quarter of a century. For me, I always do my homework," he said when told he's the best in hosting business lunches. However, the soft-spoken and modest diplomat said he's flattered as well as surprised at the honour because he's just been in
Embassy intern Paul Ovens conducted the first annual survey by phone, fax and email from July 4-27. After contacting all 125 foreign missions in
"Many respondents laughed out loud at the first questions [who is the sexiest male and female ambassador?]
Mr. Ovens said some respondents preferred answering questions on the opposite spectrum to what he asked.
Several female business owners from
The T. Boone Pickens Foundation, a charitable agency formed last year by
Beginning this month, 13 Afghan participants will go to
"It was incredible to see the work that these 13 women have accomplished in their country," said institute president Terry Neese. "Some of them have faced tremendous obstacles to operate their businesses."
The peace jirga is a great occasion to recite a couple of quotes from Malalai Joya.
Respected friends, over five years passed since the US-led attack on
The
The Western media talks about democracy and the liberation of
————————————————————————————–
The gang-rape of young girls and women by warlords belonging to the “
The only protests in
Kamran was released last night at 07:00. he was handcuffed and foot chained. He was told that NDS is there to ensure his security but they feel sorry for the journalists that they don’t realize it. He was told that he spoke of psychological torture and compared the place with guantanamo, after his first release, while he was well treated the first time, they wanted to show him what guantanamo could be like. One of NDS deputies spoke to him for several hours, using a combination of threat and suggestions. He was told only to write in favor of the government.
Just before Kamran was kidnapped we received a letter from the media complaints commission sent to attorney general and journalist union too. The letter was signed by the minister of information and culture, Khoram.
The commission resolution had more of a consulting tone, and do not outline any violation of the law and requires no apology or any other fine.
However the letter says he would be referred to the court and prosecutor office if any future complain surface.
I don’t think this is a smart statement to make if there is any future problem then the media commission should pick it and resolve it, just like this time. If a journalist is critical he shouldn’t be referred to the court. The commission job is not only to handle soft cases and use the court and prosecutor as a threat.
The letter also doesn’t mention of the five days detention. I think the commission, if it was truly an independent one, should have condemned the detention and should have directed NDS to leave kamran alone.
For a month NDS was spying on kamran and radio salam watandar we brought this issue several times to the attention of the commission and ministry of information and culture but nothing was done about it. journalists shouldn’t be chased and intimidated while conducting their professional work, as a matter of fact everybody has the right to privacy and NDS shouldn’t intrude, aggressively, into public privacy.
We have friends in the parliament, and we have many friends of friends. I think we should bring the media situation to their attention.
I think we should bring kamran’s issue in the general context of free expression to the parliament.
The government has been constantly violating the right to free expression, other cases include the cabinet approved media regulation. According to the civil servant media regulation, government employees are not allowed to talk with media that include, teachers, all civil and military personnel; and interviews in school and universities are ban. Government is basically forbidding hundreds of thousands of people if not millions of free expression. They can’t talk about their work and the incredible corruption surrounding it.
The ministry of information and culture issues letters from time to time telling media how to cover certain incidents. For example media has been told to respect leaders of Islamic
Kamran Mirhazar, (Salam Watandar journalist), has been detained by
Kamran does not have legal representation
Kamran has no mode of communication to anyone
Last time Kamran was detained NDS officers line of questioning focused largely on Kamran’s website Kabul Press http://www.kabulpress.org/ they were concerned that Kamran was funded by a source/agency that was working to undermine the government of Afghanistan.
