Another Taliban commander captured: Who is prevailing – NATO or Taliban?

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Another Taliban commander has reportedly been captured by the Afghan soldiers in Afghanistan. The Taliban on the other hand has been claiming to have insurgents and suicide bombers ready to flood the army bases with violence. It is not clear which one of the two forces will come out as the stronger one, but the tug-of-war sure seems to be getting tougher and more competitive. A senior Taliban commander has been captured by the Afghan forces at a checkpoint on Tuesday. It comes hand in hand with the NATO and Afghan forces launching a massive attack on the Taliban forces in the Afghan town of Helmand. However, the Taliban have been making claims regarding their increased number of insurgents and suicide bombers who are raring to go. Will the NATO and the Afghan troops be able to control this coming surge of insurgency, or will the Taliban be successful in coming back to power as the Afghan security crumbles? Mullah Mahmood, who is accused of helping the Taliban detonate suicide bombs, was caught Tuesday in Kandahar province while wearing the all-encompassing Islamic veil traditionally worn here by women. He was reportedly trying to leave the Panjwayi area of Kandahar province. According to Maj. Gen. Ton van Loon, the southern commander of NATO-led troops, The capture of this senior Taliban extremist is another indicator that a more normal life is returning to the Zhari and Panjwayi districts and a testament to the great work the (Afghan army) is achieving. In the midst of such conflicting reports by both the Western troops and the Taliban themselves, it is hard to figure out who is the stronger party. Will the people of Afghanistan have to be once again under the rule of the fundamentalist Taliban, or will Afghanistan be able to secure a democratic future? Via: Associated Press

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More than 1,100 journalists killed in a decade: Iraq tops the charts

Posted on April 7, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

In a study conducted by the International News Safety Institute (INSI), a coalition of media organisations, press freedom groups and humanitarian campaigners, it was found that Iraq was the most dangerous place to be. Iraq was followed by Russia and then Columbia. It is apalling when one tries to comprehend the number of journalists that get abducted and killed every month. The study by the above set of institutions has compiled all of this information, in order to make one realise how big the figure actually is. According to the report, more than 1,100 journalists and support staff have been killed carrying out their work in the past decade and the annual toll has jumped since 2003, the year of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. In today’s age, when we so depend on journalists in all parts of the world to bring us the news we then base our opinions and views on, little do we realise how much danger these journalists actually face while doing their job. In Iraq and Afghanistan, and other such war-ravaged parts of the world, we do not even try to imagine the hardships these reporters go through. For us, reading war news sitting in the comfort of our homes or offices is very easy, but one must be aware of how much effort actually goes into every little piece of information we recieve. In fact even in our own countries, news reporters face an extreme amount of danger given the controversial nature of their jobs. Facts of the report Worldwide, last year was the worst for media workers with 167 killed worldwide, up from 149 in 2005 and 131 in 2004. That compares with 94 in 2003, 70 in 2002 and 103 in 2001. The report discovered that the total tally since the start of 1996 was 1,101. Nearly half were shot and the vast majority — at least 657 people — were murdered covering news during peacetime in their own country. What is even more apalling is that in two thirds of cases the killers were not identified and convictions have been obtained in only 27 cases. This figure shows that killing a journalist is almost risk free and a miniscule number of them get identified and an even smaller number actually ever get convicted for the crime they commit. Richard Sambrook, global news director at the British Broadcasting Corporation, who led the inquiry said that “Ongoing impunity for the killers of journalists, who put themselves in harm’s way to keep world society informed, shames not only the governments who are responsible for their own lack of action but also the democracies that stand aside in silence.” The overall figure includes journalists, support workers such as drivers, translators, engineers and office personnel. It also includes those killed in accidents while working. With 138 deaths, Iraq was the most dangerous country for journalists. Within this figure, it was found that more than 70 percent of casualties were Iraqis. It is shocking how many local reporters are actually planned to be murdered. It is also believed that armed forces, regular or irregular, police and officials were responsible for nearly a quarter of all killings. Russia was second after Iraq with 88 deaths over the past 10 years, followed by Colombia on 72 and the Philippines — which had the highest death toll outside Iraq in 2005 — with 55. Action must be taken In addition to bringing such gory details to light, the report furthermore stressed that governments should take active action regarding these killings. It is the responsiblity of the governments to protect these servicemen, and that their deaths must not go unnoticed. The report also urged institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund not to ignore the number of journalists killed in a particular country while assessing the amount of aid that should be given out to these respective countries. In all, assertive action has to be called upon. Journalists for us today are extremely important, they are the lifeline that hold together the global village in a sense, because they are the ones who are responsible for making sure news from one part of the globe reaches the other. We must not ignore their contributions. From my behalf, this article is an ode to all those journalists. Via: Reuters

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A step forward in Rwanda: Frees genocide prisoners

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Never in living history has such reckless brutality been inflicted by human beings on their fellow creatures as in Rwanda. Part of the horror of Rwanda is that we think of genocide as belonging to an age we had left behind. Rwanda is not taken for granted by most bystanders in the same way as other disasters, let alone the Holocaust of the Second World War. However, each time I remember the 1994 Rwandan genocide, I can’t help to address that world leaders allowed the deaths of more than 800,000 people – mostly Tutsis by feigning ignorance of what was taking place. The Belgians pulled out when they lost 10 soldiers. France, of course, did nothing. Moreover, the U.S. was very culpable, too. How many could have been saved and how many U.S. troops might have died is pure speculation. But what is certain is that the Clinton Administration and the Pentagon lacked the will to do anything – especially, after Mogadishu. Yes right, isn’t it already ancient history? Aren’t there all kinds of human catastrophes that no one much bothers with? Didn’t it take place in faraway Africa, in a country few people could find on a map? Wasn’t it just another case of Africans killing Africans? What does it have to do with us, anyway? How many of you think that these questions deserve answers. Above all, it is fundamentally true that there would have been no genocide had some Rwandans not decided for their own selfish reasons to annihilate many other Rwandans. However, once this truth is acknowledged, a powerful case for remembering Rwanda remains, and needs to be made. It does not suffice to apologize for the errors of the international community. We also have to show that we have learnt from the mistakes and will avoid them in the future. Still, no one is intervening in Sudan, despite ethnic cleansing and mass rapes. How long will it take the United Nations to use the G-word? How many more meetings and reports do we need until we can take up our responsibility? Today, almost twelve years after the fateful 100 days when hell broke loose in Rwanda, the government there is releasing more than 9,000 prisoners. This is the latest wave of releases under a 2003 presidential decree. About 60,000 inmates have been freed since. The government has said the releases are to ease overcrowding and foster reconciliation and most of the thousands released are the sick, elderly and children. The group that has been released excludes key masterminds of the genocide however, the genocide survivors, are outraged and accuse the released inmates of planning more ethnic crimes because some of them continue to harbor a genocide ideology. The current Rwandan government headed by Paul Kagame, himself a Tutsi, has done much to reconcile and unite the nation. Kagame must realize that he is presiding over a tribally sensitive nation. He should proceed seriously with his national reconciliation program by ensuring fair representation of all the ethnic groups in his government.

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Human rights violations on the rise in Iraq and Afghanistan: US report

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

In its annual report on human rights abuses, the US criticised Iraq and Afghanistan listing them as the most difficult challenges posed to the international community. The survey conducted by the US took into account a total of 193 countries, listing Iraq and Afghanistan as the most volatile amonst them all. The report laid down that the two countries were extremely challenging due to internal conflicts that “threaten or thwart advancements in human rights and democratic government”. Iraq and the human rights mayhem The report urged that even though the Iraqi government was consistent and committed in its efforts to foster national reconciliation and reconstruction, “both deepening sectarian violence and acts of terrorism seriously under cut human rights and democracy progress during 2006.” The report held not only Al-Qaeda to be responsible in part for the abuses, but also members of militia allied to the government. Afghanistan and the civilian bloodshed We have already been reading about the killings of civilians by troops in Afghanistan. Although the report obviously did not touch upon this factor, it said that Afghanistan had made a huge comeback in terms of human rights guarantees since the fall of the Taliban. However, the report felt that the process had been stalled “mainly due to weak central institutions and a deadly insurgency” involved stepped up attacks by Taliban remnants, the Al-Qaeda movement and other groups. In case of Afghanistan as well, the report noted serious human rights offences on part of the officials. The report however went on to welcome a decision by President Hamid Karzai to launch a Transitional Justice Action plan aimed at addressing human rights issues. The problem of human rights violation is more serious than we may imagine it to be. The civilians in war damaged countries like Iraq and Afghanistan go through a lot of emotional and physical trauma linked to terroristic activities, or even official acts of violation against them. Their needs to be an active forum where such exploitations are fully recognised, and are sought to be corrected or duly punished. Via: The News International

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Taliban and Al-Qaeda breathing in Pakistan’s safe havens: Robert Gates

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

The US Defence Secretary has once again reiterated that they have compelling evidence leading them to be certain that the Taliban and the Al-Qaeda are surviving inside Pakistan, taking advantage of its ‘safe havens’. The US official asserted that the US is dead sure about these terroristic organisations using Pakistan’s tribal areas particularly north Waziristan to regroup, and that the US is trying to address this issue with Islamabad. Mr Gates told mediapersons at the Pentagon that: I would say the Taliban and Al-Qaida have been able to use the areas around particularly north Waziristan to regroup and it is a problem. We are working together with Pakistan to address that problem. Possibility of US troops moving into Pakistan When asked about whether the US would actually move into Pakistan and clear out its tribal areas that are infected by these militants, Mr Gates replied that if the Pakistani government is unsuccessful in handling the situation, somebody will have to, even if that means us. The unrest at the Pakistan-Afghanistan problem has been recieving wide international attention recently, especially by the US. It seems that the US is hell-bent on giving this issue its best shot. Solving the problem in Afghanistan seems to be on top of the US list at the moment. Whether that is because it wants to forget the failure in Iraq, or if it wants to secure a stronger hold over South Asia, we do not know. Via: The Times of India

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Darfur peace accord gets a severe blow, rebels attack AU peacekeepers, 2 killed

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

350 Ugandan troops of the African Union peacekeeping force arrived in Mogadishu on Tuesday in order to replace Ethiopian troops which have been stationed in Somalia since January helping the government maintain law and order in the volatile country. In an insurgency attack however, these Ugandan troops were struck at their camp near the airport. Uganda, which has about 1,600 troops promised to Somalia, would now think twice before they could send in more troops. What does this entail for Somalia? The insurgency is seen to be on a rise. Insurgents also attacked a Somali government base on Tuesday, launching rocket-propelled grenades and firing machine guns for nearly an hour. The remnants of Islamic militias driven from Mogadishu by government forces and Ethiopian troops in December are probably the ones that are behind these multiple attacks. Although none of the troops were injured in the attacks, it reflects the nature of insurgency and anarchy prevalent in Somalia. Despite the efforts of present troops, the government has not been able to bring about much law and order. Even so, Uganda has committed 1,600 peacekeepers to help quell the daily violence in the volatile capital city of Mogadishu, as part of an intended 8,000 troop AU force. A span based timetable of the troops to arrive is not available as yet, but it is known that Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi and Burundi are all expected to send troops. However, only half of the needed AU forces for the mission have been committed. Other issues concern the shortage of money and equipment being faced by the African Union. This also brings the success and the effectiveness of the peace operations into serious consideration. So what does the future look like? The peacekeepers are the first in Mogadishu since an unsuccessful U.S. and U.N. operation ended in bloody battles and a withdrawal of troops in 1995. Also, although one cannot predict the effectiveness of this peacekeeping operation, it is nonetheless an optimistic start to what could be an African initiative to help bring peace in Somalia. Read UPDATE 1: Darfur gunmen kill 2 African Union peacekeepers and wound a third UPDATE 2: At Least 10 Somalis Killed After Ambush On African Union Troops

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U.S. Navy identifies the traitor

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

Hassan Abujihaad, a former U.S. Navy sailor has been charged with allegedly passing military secrets to al Qaeda-related Web sites during the spring of 2001. Hassan Abujihaad, formerly known as Paul R. Hall, allegedly passed information about U.S. Navy warship movements in the Straits of Hormuz in April 2001 while he was a member of the Navy. Hassan exposed the vulnerability of U.S. vessels, including susceptibility to small boat attacks by terrorists. Incindentally, USS Cole was attacked in Yemen just a month later. As per the complaint report, Hassan was an associate of Derrick Shareef, who allegedly tried to explode grenades at the CherryVale Mall outside Chicago, last December. Shareef was arrested on Dec. 6, 2006, following an FBI sting operation when he traded stereo speakers for dud grenades. Hassan’s arrest was an outcome of the investigation of Babar Ahmad- the suspect of developing radical Islamic Web sites popular with members of al Qaeda and other terrorist groups, who is currently battling his extradition to the United States in British courts. The earlier charges mentioned that Babar, who handled the operation of web sites of the infamous Azzam Publications, which used to carry propaganda for al Qaeda, including Bin Laden’s 1996 Declaration of War against the United States, had received critical information about ship movements from a U.S. Navy sailor, but the serviceman was not identified at the time. The Hassan Abujihaad case is being investigated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Connecticut, since some of the Web servers they allegedly used were based in Connecticut. With passing time, the holes in the U.S. Navy are surfacing and it is very important to get them sealed in time to avoid further instances of 9/11. Via: ABC News

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US panicks as Osama turns 50

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

As Osama Bin Laden turns 50 tomorrow, the US government seems to be panicking. It has been reported that it is dispatching additional CIA operatives and paramilitary officers to Pakistan to kill or capture the al-Qa’eda leader. Well, what was it doing for the last six years?? In a mission aiming to intensify pressure on the terrorist leader, the US has decided to send CIA assasins looking for him. Seriously, what was America doing uptil now if not this? He is widely believed to be hiding in the region bordering Afghanistan. Stephen Kappes, deputy director of the CIA provided alleged satellite snapshots and details of communications intercepts in order to persuade the Musharraf regime to assist the US more actively. Mr Kapped also visited Musharraf along with Vice President Dick Cheney. He made detailed presentation showing evidence of al-Qa’eda building its strength on Pakistani soil. Reports that the trail has gone stone cold are not correct,” an American official said afterwards. “We are very much increasing our efforts there. Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) and operatives from the CIA’s Islamabad station also met the US official to discuss co-ordinating efforts to track bin Laden. Also, reports indicate that last week Adml Mike McConnell, the new US Director of National Intelligence, told a Senate committee that bin Laden is in Pakistan for sure. This allays the actual intensity of the US belief regarding the presence of senior terrorists in Pakistan. In fact, a news item in the Telegraph reported that McConnell’s report was the most specific information about bin Laden given by a US official for several years and prompted speculation that surveillance photographs of the al-Qa’eda leader or his deputy might have been obtained. Speaking about the Pakistani tribal regions, McConnell stressed that to the best of our knowledge the senior leadership, Number One and Number Two, are there, and they are attempting to re-establish and rebuild and to establish training camps. Quick action required As the above information relays, the US intelligence officers are extremely certain about the presence of senior terrorists in Pakistan. However, if the US hasn’t done so yet, which seems surprising to say the least, it must take quick action now. Intelligence reports have previously shown that bin Laden usually choses March to switch locations, moving to hiding places in the mountains once the snow cover begins to melt. Also, he is likely to be at his most vulnerable when on the move. Via: The Telegraph

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Fugitive Afghan warlord and former PM Gudbuddin Hekmatyar is ‘ready for a dialogue’

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

The variuos groups of tribes in the remote regions of Afghanistan owe allegiance to warlords who are the de facto governors of these areas. The central government in Kabul has no choice but to accept their influence in all local affairs. Each Warlord has a following of a few hundreds to several thousands of fighters. The Taliban’s continuance as a major force depends on the loyalty of groups of fighters who in turn bear loyalty to the scores of Warlords. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a former prime minister of Afghanistan, is a leader of the powerful Pashtun tribe. When the USA invaded Afghanistan in September 2001, he opposed the invasion. He repeatedly warned America and Pakistan of Jihad but never openly formed alliance with the Taliban or the al-Qaeda, though he praised anyone who fought the American coalition. Hekmatyar, who is still in the hiding, has said that negotiations are the only solution to the Afghan problem. He can go for a dialogue with the Afghan president Hamid Karzai if a halt to the fighting is brought about and a conducive environment is created, he has said. Clearly, a viable solution to the Afghan problem lies in winning the support of the warlords who have been leading autonomous groups in different parts of the country. This will severely erode the base of the Taliban and pave the way to lasting peace. More

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Secret CIA detention centre in Poland discovered

Posted on April 6, 2012 by admin | Permalink 0

The CIA has had detention facilities set up in other countries for various reasons that include avoidance of US laws in transporting and detaining the prisoners. A soviet-era facility, which is now a Polish intelligence training school, has been utilized by the CIA for the detention and interrogation of prisoners. A remote and infrequently used airfield in the Northern Polish town of Szymany was used for transit flights that came from Afghanistan and the complex at nearby Stare Kiejkuty, a Soviet-era compound that was once used by German intelligence during World War II, was best known as the only Russian intelligence training school to operate outside the Soviet Union. According to British and Polish intelligence officials familiar with the arrangements, the secret plan had the approval of British and US authorities. The then Polish prime minister Mr Leszek Miller kept the information secret, even from his own government. It is no secret that the CIA has operated several detention centres in many countries as part of its own secret programmes. These centres are widely believed to be a network used for the ill-treatment and torture of suspected terrorists. But, the revelation of the centre in the Polish village has come as a shock to many. Paul Gimigliano, the spokesman of CIA neither confirmed nor denied any allegations about the Polish facility. He maintained that the rendition program was legal and conducted ‘with great care’. He said ‘the agency’s terrorist interrogation program has been conducted lawfully, with great care and close review’. Rendition, or extradition of a fugitive to another state for interrogation, is a lawful tool in the fight against terror, according to him. More Picture credit

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