[Dawn] The United States' decision to designate the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization shows it is not sincere about peace efforts in Afghanistan, senior commanders of the group said on Friday. But somehow not putting them on the list isn't going to help it.
The move will also bring hardship for US Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is being held by the bad turbans, the commanders told Rooters by telephone from Qazi's guesthouse an undisclosed location.
The United States is designating the Pakistain-based Haqqani network, accused of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton ... sometimes described as For a good time at 3 a.m. call Hillary and at other times as Mrs. Bill, never as Another William H. Seward ... said on Friday, in a move that would trigger sanctions against the group and turn up the heat on Pakistain's government.
US officials have long accused Pakistain of supporting the network, an allegation Islamabad denies.
The Haqqanis, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban, are some of the most experienced fighters in Afghanistan and have carried out several high-profile attacks on Western targets.
Senior commanders from the network said the decision to designate the group as beturbanned goons could endanger efforts to reach a peaceful settlement to the Afghan conflict before most NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis.... combat troops withdraw by the end of 2014.
"It means the United States is not sincere in their talks. They are on the one hand claiming to look for a political solution to the Afghan issue while on the other they are declaring us terrorists," said one of the commanders.
"So how can peace talks succeed in bringing peace to Afghanistan?"
Whether or not to brand the group a terrorist organization has been the subject of intense debate within the administration of US President Barack Obama The campaign's over, John... , with some officials arguing it would have little real impact, but would risk setting back Afghan reconciliation efforts.
The New York Times ...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize... earlier reported that senior US officials who argued against blacklisting the group were concerned it could jeopardise the fate of Bergdahl, who disappeared from his base in southern Afghanistan in June 2009 and is believed to be being held by the bad turbans.
"Until now we treated him very well but this move by the United States will of course create hardships for him," another Haqqani commander told Rooters.
Posted by: Fred ||
09/08/2012 10:36 ||
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#1
What peace?
Posted by: Water Modem ||
09/08/2012 17:22 Comments ||
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A suicide bomber blew up explosives near the heavily barricaded NATO headquarters in Kabul on Saturday, killing six civilians.
The bomber, who was riding a motorcycle loaded with explosives, blew himself up near the entrance of Camp Eggers, the base that is home to 2,500 coalition personnel who train Afghan security forces.
Flesh and splattered blood lay on the street near the base, where small bodies were seen being lifted into ambulances. Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said that young children were among the dead.
The Taliban took credit for the attack, saying they had despatched a bomber to target the Kabul offices of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, "One of our mujahideen targeted an important intelligence office used for recruiting Americans and Afghans for spying."
WASHINGTON The planned withdrawal of more than 30,000 US "surge" troops from Afghanistan will be completed ahead of an end-of-month target date, officials said Friday.
President Barack Obama ordered in reinforcements in December 2009 and last year promised to have the additional troops withdrawn before the end of 2012.
Commanders had aimed to have the troops out by the end of September and defense officials say the drawdown is ahead of schedule.
US troop levels in Afghanistan, which rose to about 100,000 at the peak of the surge, are now down to 77,000, according to a Pentagon tally.
When all the surge forces are withdrawn, the American contingent will be down to 68,000 troops.
ISLAMABAD: The United States decision to designate the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization shows it is not sincere about peace efforts in Afghanistan, senior commanders of the group said on Friday.
The move will also bring hardship for US Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, who is being held by the militants, the commanders told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.
The United States is designating the Pakistan-based Haqqani network, accused of high-profile attacks in Afghanistan, as a terrorist organization, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Friday, in a move that would trigger sanctions against the group and turn up the heat on Pakistans government.
US officials have long accused Pakistan of supporting the network, an allegation Islamabad denies.
The Haqqanis, who are allied with the Afghan Taliban, are some of the most experienced fighters in Afghanistan and have carried out several high-profile attacks on Western targets.
On the day that Prince Harry returned to Afghanistan, where he will spend four months flying Apache attack helicopters, senior Taliban commanders said they would use Afghan army recruits to either kidnap or assassinate the prince.
Speaking on the telephone from somewhere within Helmand, Maulvi Ahmadullah Ahmadyar said: "It's good news for us as we are always in search for such precious birds. Our priority will be to kidnap him at any cost as we have our informers at the military base being used by the British troops here in Helmand."
#4
While I enjoyed learning what a stand up guy he was going back to Afghanistan, I felt it so wrong to broadcast it. Putting not just him but the guys with him in added danger.
Posted by: Jan ||
09/08/2012 11:23 Comments ||
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#5
agree. works in favor of the Brits. I'm sure they are smart enough to use it.
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The United States' decision to designate the Haqqani network as a terrorist organization shows it is not sincere about peace efforts in Afghanistan, senior commanders of the group said on Friday.
Hillary Clinton
