InfoAnda - Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Indian Ocean former colony votes to become French | 30 March 2009
Rocket launch: SKorea fails to contact satellite | 26 August 2009
3 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan's south, east | 5 October 2010

Apple, Eminem may face trial over music downloads | Technology | | 23 September 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears AFP - Thursday, August 19 Send IM Story Print Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears KABUL (AFP) - – The Afghan government is standing firm on its plan to disband all private security firms despite widespread concerns that the four-month deadline is too tight and could ultimately be self-defeating. President Hamid Karzai's decree, issued on Tuesday, ordered the 52 private security contractors operating in the country, both Afghan and international, to cease operations by January 1, 2011. Deputy interior minister General Moneer Mangal sought on Wednesday to allay doubts that Afghanistan's own security forces were capable of stepping into the breach amid a Taliban-led insurgency dragging towards its 10th year. "I'm not saying that it's not difficult but we must overcome this. We'll do all we can to implement this plan," he told reporters. The contractors would be replaced by Afghan police and army, he said. The move aims "to better provide security for the lives and property of citizens, fight corruption, prevent irregularities and the misuse of arms, military uniforms and equipment by private security companies," the decree said. It would also prevent "heart-breaking and tragic incidents," it said, an apparent reference to some occasions where Afghan civilians have allegedly been killed or injured by private security contractors. Two ex-employees of a security firm owned by the company formerly known as Blackwater entered not guilty pleas in a US court on Tuesday to charges of killing two Afghans in Kabul in May 2009. A traffic accident in Kabul in late July involving a security firm, in which several Afghans died, led to a small riot in which the contractor's armoured vehicles were set ablaze. Private security firms in Afghanistan are employed by US and NATO forces, the Pentagon, the UN mission, aid and non-governmental organisations, embassies and Western media. The tenor of the decree was largely welcomed as the presence of tens of thousands of armed private guards is seen as potentially undermining government authority. Afghans criticise them as overbearing and abusive, particularly on the country's roads, and Karzai has complained they duplicate the work of the Afghan security forces, and divert much-needed resources. But the deadline and a lack of trained government forces has led to fears of a potential security crisis, with international organisations vulnerable and reconstruction projects and aid deliveries delayed. "What we'd see inevitably would be a slowing down of that (humanitarian) work so the real effect would be seen by the people we most want to help," Andy Bearpark, director general of the British Association of Private Security Companies, told the BBC. Washington described the timetable as "aggressive", and while US Senator John Kerry said Karzai was "right on target in wanting to minimise private security presence in his country," he also questioned the deadline. Around 26,000 registered armed personnel are employed across Afghanistan by the firms, roughly half of which are Afghan, authorities say, though a former deputy interior minister said there could be as many as 50,000. General Abdul Hadi Khaled said the Afghan police force would not be ready to take on the security firms' responsibilities for two or three years. "The timetable set for disbandment of the security companies is insufficient," he told AFP. "The interior ministry does not have enough training centres to train police for the security of NATO convoys and big businesses. Thinking the police will be able to take the job of private security companies in four months is no more than a dream," he said. The decree has also raised questions about Karzai's motivation, with Kate Clark of the Afghan Analysts Network noting the president's links to the security sector. As large Afghan security firms "are usually directly linked into the elite," she told BBC radio it was difficult to believe the directive would be honoured. "You've got firms connected to the son of the defence minister, various cousins of the president, and then you've got this plethora of very small-scale companies" whose ownership was difficult to determine. "The contracts for these security companies are very lucrative. We have strong evidence that Taliban are being paid off, that senior members of the government and police, some of them at least, are demanding payments. "You have to think of a situation where there are many people with their fingers in the pie... and so I find it difficult to imagine this pie being taken away," she said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Plane that crashed in China is N.Korean: Xinhua AFP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago Pakistan flood homeless toll put at over 4 million Reuters - 2 hours 14 minutes ago Latest China mudslides leave 14 dead, dozens missing AFP - Friday, August 20 Explosion in China's restive Xinjiang kills seven AFP - Friday, August 20 Myanmar opposition widens reach before poll AFP - Friday, August 20 News Search Top Stories US jobless claims jump to 500,000; nine-month high More Americans say Obama is Muslim Swann double checks Pakistan's progress GM files for landmark public share offering Over 200 mln US eggs recalled in salmonella scare More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Michael Douglas cancer fight, halts Hong Kong trip Most US students think Beethoven is a dog S.Korea archaeologists uncover 7,000-year-old oar Weather shifts behind disasters need 'urgent' probe: UN Obama tries to boost faith in US economic revival More Most Viewed » Obama endorses mosque plan near Ground Zero 40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity Visitors attack Taiwan 'haunted house' actors Massive ice island breaks off Greenland glacier Belgian man dies of South Asian superbug More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Asia Entertainment Photos World Cup 2010 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Thursday, 19 August 2010
Weather shifts behind disasters need 'urgent' probe: UN
Verizon eyes live TV app for tablets including iPad
Suicide car bomber kills 4 in southern Afghanistan
Criticism mounts over France's Roma expulsion
US-TECH Summary
Khamenei: Iran won't talk with U.S. in current climate |
Regulatory tensions dragging on US economy: NYSE chief
Eminem Recovers The #1 Spot On Billboard Albums Chart
Cuomo says 6 settle on hidden online shopping fees
"The Expendables" To Premiere On Spike TV
Japan analyzing damage to tanker in Hormuz Strait |
Party-Backed Kendrick Meek Leads Democratic Primary Race For Senate
WikiLeaks says US willing to talk about leaked papers
Proof of Extra-Terrestial Life in 25 Years Speculates Scientist
Justin Bieber, B.o.B. Performing At MTV Video Music Awards
Homeless NJ Man Discovered Living In Library Basement
Steven Tyler Reportedly Already Signed On For "Idol"
News Corp. Cites GOP's "Pro-Business Agenda" In $1 Million Donation
Deadly Russian heatwave declared over |
Former Bolivian dictator sent for drug rehabilitation |
CA Appeals Court Rules Shopping Mall Cannot Infringe On Free Speech Of Customers
Gaming giants bet on 3D for next big boost
Chicago Area Pickpocket Arrested For 58th Time
American-Filipino tenor's rise from rock to opera
U.N. secures more Pakistan flood relief funds
China warns U.S. military report threatens ties
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China lashes out at Pentagon military report
Child of shrinks recalls his childhood in memoir
US ballet troupe to dance in Cuba for first time in 50 years
T-Mobile USA plans high-speed Android phone |
Verizon eyes live TV app for iPad, other tablets |
Dr. Laura to end radio show after racial slurs
Cuomo says 6 settle on hidden online shopping fees |
Syria tourist numbers up over last year
Author Geraldine Brooks to receive Dayton literary prize
Foxconn holds morale-boosting exercise in China
Betty White books to reflect on sex, aging, animals
German robber nabbed after mocking police in email |
Former outsourcing tycoon 'bailed' in big fraud case
Model Macedonian school aims to bridge the ethnic divide
Gaming giants bet on 3D for next big boost
Reliance-CBS announce new TV channels for India, S.Asia
'Mr. Right' gets modern makeover in The Switch |
Dr. Laura to end radio talk show after racial slurs |
Betty White books to reflect on sex, aging, animals |
Author Geraldine Brooks to receive Dayton literary prize |
Man behind Bozo the Clown remembered in new book |
Pentagon says no to 'sanitized' WikiLeaks release
U.S. says troop numbers in Iraq at 56,000 |
Bull rams spectators in Spain, 30 injured
Facebook adds location-sharing feature
U.S. says troop numbers in Iraq at 56,000
Over 4 million homeless in flood-hit Pakistan: U.N. |
GM files for landmark public share offering
Criticism mounts over France's Roma expulsion
Khamenei: Iran won't talk with U.S. in current climate
HP names firm to spearhead CEO search
Eminem Recovers The #1 Spot On Billboard Albums Chart
China rescuers seek 90 missing after landslide |
Obama tries to boost faith in US economic revival
U.S. companies, others meet again on Internet traffic
Venezuela bans papers from printing violent photos |
Afghanistan, African countries top index for food insecurity
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition
Body of kidnapped mayor dumped in northern Mexico |
Verizon eyes live TV app for iPad, other tablets
T-Mobile USA plans high-speed Android phone
Wyclef Jean says threats won't deter candidacy |
North Korea confirms Chinese among detained fishermen |
Police detain suspect after blast kills 7 in Xinjiang |
Cuban dissidents denounce government harassment |
UN to meet on Pakistan as fears mount for survivors
Hairdresser defrauds Hollywood starlets
Indonesia's coral reefs dying at alarming rate
Kings of Leon reject "Glee" request
Last US combat brigade pulls out of Iraq
US base ruling risks new tensions for Colombia's president
HP names firm to spearhead CEO search |
Paroled US radical ordered back to prison in Peru
India finds a way to access BlackBerry emails: report |
Ernest Borgnine to be honored by Hollywood actors
U.S. Clarifies E-Mail Tough Talk With India Over Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Apple iPhone 4 may go on sale in China by Sept: report |
Man Racks Up $1 Million In PayPal Charges Over Phishing Attack
S.Korean tyre firm eyes Indonesia plant
US Releases Reply Letter Refusing To Negotiate With WikiLeaks
September 11 anniversary set for Muslim centre marches
Stocks Keep Gains For Second Day
Tata Motors targets 700 million dollar issue
Pentagon rules out Wikileaks negotiations
Asia's booming middle classes unmasked in new study
US opposes use of force in South China Sea dispute
Hairdresser defrauds Hollywood starlets
U.S. companies, others meet again on Internet traffic |
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition |
Seoul shares up for 3rd day on Hyundai Motor, Hynix
Muslim employee sues US Disneyland over headscarf ban
Another region in China raises minimum wage
CBS developing "Undercover Boss" companion series
Korea Hot Stocks
China starts trading Malaysian ringgit against yuan
Bret Michaels sues concert promoter for $5 million
China province shuts fireworks plants after blast
"Saw" veteran makes date for '11 11 11'
BRIEF-Moody's Korean telcos improve profitability
NZ consumer confidence edges higher in August-survey
Kings of Leon reject "Glee" request
Spoofs seek proof of life at box office
Year since bomber freed, Lockerbie tries to move on
Aerosmith singer Tyler joining "Idol": bandmate
Broadband network could switch Australian voters
Aerosmith singer Tyler joining Idol: bandmate |
Iceland aiming to be a global press freedom haven
Bret Michaels sues concert promoter for $5 million |
Lohan attorneys meet with judge, new hearing set |
Apple iPhone 4 may go on sale in China by Sept: report
Spoofs seek proof of life at box office |
CBS developing Undercover Boss companion series |
Kings of Leon reject Glee request |
Eric Clapton reunites with Sheryl Crow on album |
BBC News apologizes for weatherman gesture |
Saw veteran makes date for '11 11 11' |
Jersey Shore star Snooki pleads not guilty |
Analysis
Scores expelled in French crackdown on Roma
Seoul fights to block N.Korea's Twitter propaganda
South Africa police fire rubber bullets at strikers |
China says crashed North Korean jet had mechanical failure |
A year on, Lockerbie bomber casts a long shadow |
Alleged Paramount Leaked Email Reveals Upcoming Projects
Gaza-bound aid ship aims to leave Lebanon on Sunday |
Egg Recall Expanded to 380 Million Over Salmonella Outbreak
Mandela charity trustee quits over Campbell gems |
Betty White Inks Deal For Two Books
France expels radical cleric in anti-crime drive |
Afghanistan marks independence day
12-Year-Old Girl Busted In NYC Drug Raid
Wyclef Jean says threats won't deter candidacy |
Over 200 mln US eggs recalled in salmonella scare
Facebook "Places" lets users track friends and services
Appeals Court Rules Utah Roadside Crosses Unconstitutional
Short-Short Clad Women Cause Highway Pileup
Prenatal Exposure To Pesticides Linked To Attention Problems
Latest China mudslides leave 14 dead, dozens missing
Israel, Lebanon oppose border escalation: UN force
Georgia Cop Charged With Protecting Drug Dealers, Stealing
Explosion in China's restive Xinjiang kills seven
Pakistan flood homeless toll put at over 4 million
Early Life Events Impact Adult Mental Health
Kabul defiant on private security firms despite fears
Myanmar opposition widens reach before poll
Even Modest Weight Gain Could Harm Youngsters' Blood Vessels
Taliban attack road crew in south Afghanistan
US raises Myanmar heat with war crimes panel call
US service member killed in southern Afghanistan
Bangladesh shuts gas filling stations for Ramadan
Facebook Places lets users track friends and services |
US teen hopeful for peace after N.Korea visit
Japan's Ozawa may challenge PM in party vote
Dilmaboy and Twitter: Brazil election goes online |
N.Korea confirms it seized S.Korean fishing boat
Farmer suicide joke falls flat in Bollywood hit
Attack kills 7 in China's restive Xinjiang
Titanic to come to 3D life in scientific expedition |
Muslim employee: Disney banned her head scarf
Kosovo hurdles for Roma kids expelled from Germany
Operator of Wis. ride where girl fell is charged
Thais to rule on suspected arms dealer extradition
Myanmar pro-democracy leaders praise US decision
Rare double quake blamed for South Pacific tsunami
China Mobile profit lifted by economic growth
Japanese shares close higher on hopes of action
Indonesia railway launches women-only carriages
ADB prepares two billion dollar fund for Pakistan
India's BlackBerry formula amid security concerns
Seoul shares up for 3rd day on Hyundai Motor, Hynix
ADB offers flood-hit Pakistan $2 bln package
A Minute With: Emma Thompson as Nanny McPhee |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01