UN Envoy: Donor Aid Fragmenting Afghanistan
20 March 2009
'', The Associated Press, 19 March 2009
EXCERPT: "International donors are plowing as much as $1 billion into Afghanistan without going through the government, ultimately hurting the broader development effort, the U.N.'s top envoy to that nation said Thursday. Because of that, Afghan and U.N. officials lack an overall picture of how much aid is available or spent...
Read the post »
Afghan Clerics Call For Peace Talks
20 March 2009
'', AFP, 20 March 2009
EXCERPT: "Afghanistan's top religious council Friday called for a national conference including the Taliban to discuss ending the country's growing violence, with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah playing a role. The call is similar to one made by Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who has also appealed to the Saudi leader to help the war-ravaged country, where...
Read the post »
Official: Mullah Omar In Afghanistan
20 March 2009
'', The Associated Press, 20 March 2009
EXCERPT: "Taliban leader Mullah Muhammed Omar is not in Pakistan's southwestern Baluchistan province, a senior official said Friday, and urged the United States not to carry out missile attacks in the region. The New York Times reported this week that U.S. officials are weighing extending missile strikes into Baluchistan in pursuit...
Read the post »
US Courts Former Warlords For Stability
20 March 2009
'US Courts Former Warlords In Its Bid For Afghan Stability', The Wall Street Journal, 20 March 2009
EXCERPT: "Gov. Gul Agha Shirzai, a semiliterate former warlord, has an autocratic style, a reputation for doling out government contracts to family and friends, and a personal fortune allegedly amassed via corruption and the opium trade. Many in Afghanistan think he might also be the country's best hope for stability. As...
Read the post »