I need help! Re: Afganistan

[Texasgal]

Can someone please provide me with some back- up on the perils that are still happening in Afganistan? I am cyber fighting with a freako wing-nut. He say's everything in Afganistan is all roses. I know my fellow DU'er's will help me stomp this asshole down.

[likesmountains 52]

1. Afghanistan

Doctors Without Borders left Afghanistan (after 24 years of delivering medical care there) in July due to lack of security...

[Texasgal]

2. Ohhhhh..... that's a good one.

Anymore out there???

[kikiek]

4. It's a mess. I heard it is ready to implode. No troops there.

#1 trader of heroin again. Here is a link from yesterday. Might require registration though. http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-drugs1sep01,1,3699137.story?coll=la-headlines-world

[kikiek]

5. here is another link with several stories.

http://www.afghanistan.org/news.asp

[Victimerican]

17. you can use bugmenot for sites like these

www.bugmenot.com </shameless plug>

[kikiek]

18. Very cool. Thanks.

[sam sarrha]

3. Afghanistan is a total mess because *ush detoured $250,000,000 from

Afghanistan's rebuilding funds to prepare for the Iraq war, in Kuwait. I believe that the media is covering up the Heroin epidemic caused by giving control of Afghanistan to the war lords because o lack of funds to do anything else... Kabul is the only place it is safe to walk the streets.

[Maine-i-acs]

7. I think that was 700 million dollars diverted -

From the Afghanistan rebuilding to the pre-invasion planning for Iraq. It was in R. Clarke's book. And it's most likely unconstitutional.

[sam sarrha]

14. That was an impeachable offense.. Congress can only allocate tax money

which makes me think that Afghanistan in the new Iran/Contra shipping Heroin all over the world.. a lot will go here.. cause we have no rehab to treat so our addicts are doomed for life on the street or in jail..

[Texasgal]

6. Thanks everyone

I am drafting my e-mail now.....

[manic expression]

8. Try the Guardian Unlimited

Special Report: Afghanistan.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/0,1284,548335,00.html

Also: Eurasianet.org
try this link:

http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/afghanistan/index.shtml

Hope those links work.

[Fleshdancer]

9. All I know is that my brother was sent back there recently

It's hard to imagine that more Special Forces would be sent there this late in the game if everything was all roses. I know Karzi has had issues of assassination attempts, but it's hard when the news pretty much ignores that area now.

I have to be pretty proactive to figure out what the hell is going on over there and it's not fair to me or all the other family members with relatives fighting in the area.

On edit: Is this the definition of "roses"? I certainly don't think so:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46818-2004Aug30.html

U.S. Warns Citizens in Afghanistan
Americans Told to Avoid High Profile Locations After Bombing

By Pamela Constable
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, August 30, 2004; 2:41 PM

KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 30 -- American officials warned all U.S. citizens Monday to avoid high-profile locations and government facilities in the Afghan capital after Sunday's car bombing outside the office of an U.S. security firm here. Officials said the blast killed at least six people, including three Americans.

Spokesmen for the Taliban militia, the armed Islamic extremist group that claimed responsibility for the attack, vowed Monday to step up violence in Kabul and other cities where U.S. military forces and civilian projects are operating.

[sangh0]

10. Links

Security Tightened in Kabul After Bombing
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/31/international/asia/31afghan.html

7 Killed in Kabul as Bombing Rips a U.S. Contractor
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/30/international/asia/30afghan.html

Political Bid to Quell Unrest in Afghanistan
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/29/international/asia/29afghan.html

Act of Voting a Truth Test for Afghans
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/28/international/asia/28afghan.html

THE REACH OF WAR: PROTECTING AFGHAN VOTE; Pakistan Vows to Stop Taliban; Westerners Just Scoff
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50617FF3E5A0C778EDDA10894DC404482

U.S. Ambassador Helps to Negotiate Cease-Fire in Afghan Fighting
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30E11F63B5B0C7B8DDDA10894DC404482

Afghan Forces Retake Air Base
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401EFD6123FF935A2575BC0A9629C8B63

THREATS AND RESPONSES: THE OVERVIEW; New Leaders Are Emerging For Al Qaeda
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F40F11FD35580C738DDDA10894DC404482

Pakistan Lets Taliban Train, Prisoner Says
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B1EFC3F580C778CDDA10894DC404482

[Fleshdancer]

11. Here's another story regarding the acts of terrorism:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0830/dailyUpdate.html?s=ent2


World > Terrorism & Security
posted August 30, 2004, updated 10:30 a.m.

The terror factor in Afghanistan, Iraq

Fresh kidnappings, bombings targeting foreigners prompt new level of concern.

by Tom Regan | csmonitor.com


The US government is warning its citizens in Afghanistan to "keep a low profile" after a car bombing Sunday at the offices of a US private security contractor in Kabul killed 11 people, including three Americans. The Associated Press reports it was the deadliest attack in the capital city in more than two years.

On Monday, the US Embassy e-mailed Americans in Kabul to tell them to limit their movements, take strict security measures and avoid 'potential target areas' such as government offices, NATO bases and restaurants. UN staff were also ordered to keep off the streets as much as possible.

The Guardian reports that Afghan officials blamed the act on "terrorists." When pressed to identify a group, Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali, said, "Terrorists are terrorists. That's their identity." Reuters reports that a "senior Taliban commander" said one of its members had denotated the bomb, and that any city in Afghanistan with a Western presence was a potential target, leading up to the landmark Oct. 9 presidential elections.

Ordinary Afghans seemed as angry at outsiders as they were at the Taliban for the attack. "It was a very, very big explosion, and there were a lot of injured," said Ahmad Emal, a young shopkeeper. "These foreigners should leave the residential areas." Over the past year, more than 1,000 people have died in violence in Afghanistan, including "militants, soldiers, civilians, aid workers, and election officials."

[auburngrad82]

12. search google news for Afghanistan

http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?id=16661&siteSection=1

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002023298_afghanistan02.html

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Junkies think it's doing great.

"Afghanistan retook its place as the world's leading producer of heroin last year, after US-led forces overthrew the Taleban which had banned cultivation of opium poppies." - from the BBC.

So do the warlords that have taken over the country.

[seemslikeadream]

15. Please take a look here lots of info

Rivals Gang Up on Karzai, Seek a Champion


Agencies, Arab News

KABUL, 27 August 2004 — Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s rivals yesterday challenged him to quit the presidential race or face them in a public debate, even as they searched for a viable challenger to unite behind.

Karzai’s opponents believe the odds are unfairly stacked in his favor for an election on Oct. 9 that marks the climax of Afghanistan’s political transition, following the overthrow of the Taleban militia by US-led forces in late 2001.

“Since Karzai is abusing his position of power and monetary resources for the election, I and the council (of opposition candidates) support Karzai’s resignation,” Hamayoun Shah Asifi told a news conference flanked by 14 other challengers or their representatives.

Pedram said among those looking for an alternative to Karzai were the powerful governor of western Herat province, Ismail Khan and Defense Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim, both of whom are Tajiks, ethnic Uzbek general Abdul Rashid Dostum and Hazara leader Mohammad Mohaqiq.
http://www.aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2004%20News%...

Ismail Khan, Qasim Fahim, and Dostum, some of the top Butchers of Afghanistan, get behind a candidate.

Karzai urged to try Afghan renegade commander
Governor Ismail Khan, a legendary fighter in the war of liberation against the Soviet Union and one-time prisoner of the Taliban, is a Tajik, whereas Amanullah Khan, like Karzai, is from the country's Pashtun majority.

Ismail Khan told Reuters on Saturday he had not committed his support to anyone in an election that marks the end of the phase of interim and transitional governments headed by Karzai since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001.

Ismail Khan also played down talk by a Tajik presidential candidate, Latif Pedram, that he was part of a group of mujahideen leaders and the Uzbek general Abdul Rashid Dostum searching for a common candidate to field against Karzai.

"No, this is not true. I have not formed any coalition with Pedram, Dostum, Mohaqiq or Qanuni about this," he said.
more
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL4776.htm

Karzai taking advantage of his power: challengers

KABUL: Fifteen presidential candidates hoping to unseat President Hamid Karzai in October elections complained on Thursday that the Afghan leader is using his position to gain an advantage in the electoral campaign and called on him to step down at a joint press conference.

The challengers said Karzai was spending government money on his re-election drive, and also criticised a government edict that bars them from going to universities and schools to promote themselves until the campaign formally kicks off on September 9.

“Karzai should resign. At the very least he should respond to our complaints and reassure the international community,” said Hamayoon Shah Asifi, one of the candidates.

Yunus Qanooni, a former education minister in Karzai’s Cabinet who is considered one of the main challengers, also called on Karzai to step down, saying it was “the best way to ensure that government facilities are not used in the campaign.” “The government wants to kill democracy on its very first day of life,” Qanooni said.
more
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_27 -...

Karzai's opposition, however, doesn't like the way democracy has been scripted so far.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP297310.htm

Threads on Idema if anyone is interested
DEBKAfile reporting a truck bomb at US Embassy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Rivals Gang Up on Karzai, Seek a Champion
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
'Petroleum lures dogs of war to Africa'
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
US vigilante says saved Bagram from bomb attack
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Man accused of running private Afghan jail had U.S. letter
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
UN rights expert berates US on Afghan detentions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Man arrested by FBI : "I was close to capturing bin Laden"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Round two for Kabul's trial of year
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Americans on trial in Afghanistan get FBI files
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
U.S. urged to protect Idema's rights
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Tables turn on US conman waging his own weird war on terror
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Idema role: rogue or U.S. agent?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
9-11 attacks spurred Idema to action
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Crusader confronts a world of trouble
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Wild-card charged in Afghan imprisonments has murky history with media, go
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Family seeking info on Fortuna man arrested in Afghanistan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Rumsfeld knew all about me, says American 'jailer' held in Kabul
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Outsourcing War Crimes
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
The Case of Keith Idema
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Dispatch From Afghanistan
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Americans accused of torturing Afghans in private jail go on trial
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Pride, prison shadow Idema
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
'Freelance' US fighter identified
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
Americans Arrested in Kabul Abused Prisoners in Private Jail, Officials Say
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...




post #36 go here for links
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=785328

[FormerOstrich]

16. when dealing with the rose crowd

..I just simply ask when they are planning on taking their family there for vacation.

[Tahoe Mom]

19. Here you go....

Go to http://www.doyouknow.org and there, on the front page, you will find a new report on the Afghanistan situation.

It's a hell hole.

[librechik]

20. 4 Americans killed by car bomb attack 2 days ago

women and girls back to the veil, biggest poppy harvest EVER and the warlords are back in charge everywhere but Kabul.

Sure, it's perfect!