InfoAnda - Afghans want to be farmers, not fighters, says U.S. |

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

Gunmen kill Egyptian tribal leader and son in Sinai | | 13 August 2012
List of state immigration laws blocked in federal court grows longer | 29 June 2011
Fresh bailouts for smaller banks being weighed | 26 September 2009

Aguilera, Cee Lo to sing at Jackson tribute concert | | 12 August 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Afghans want to be farmers, not fighters, says U.S. |

Edition: U.S. Article Save Email Print Reprints Most Popular Most Shared Palin star of controversial Tea Party 03 Feb 2010 Dutch court will hear case against far-right MP 03 Feb 2010 Vegetative patient "talks" using brain waves 03 Feb 2010 Obama vows to get tough with China on currency | Video 1:08am EST UPDATE 1-US defends interrogation of airplane bomb suspect 03 Feb 2010 Gen. Powell backs Obama move on gays in military | Video 03 Feb 2010 Marines gear up for push into Afghan Taliban enclave 03 Feb 2010 Dutch court will hear case against far-right MP 03 Feb 2010 Bomb in Pakistan kills 3 U.S. soldiers, 3 children | Video 03 Feb 2010 Drunk driver had 49 children in 16-seat taxi 03 Feb 2010 Afghans want to be farmers, not fighters, says U.S. Sue Pleming WASHINGTON Wed Feb 3, 2010 4:10pm EST Related News Afghan drug lords look West via new routes Mon, Jan 25 2010 Specter of Afghan drought brings hunger, poppy fears Thu, Jan 14 2010 Afghan farmers press U.S. farm chief on aid Tue, Jan 12 2010 U.S. agriculture chief tours Afghan drug heartland Mon, Jan 11 2010 U.S. sees agriculture key to stabilizing Afghanistan Sun, Jan 10 2010 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Afghans would rather be farmers than fighters, the U.S. agriculture secretary said on Wednesday, highlighting a U.S. focus on farming jobs to lure people from the battlefield and curtail the opium trade. World Separate from the Afghan-led re-integration plan announced by President Hamid Karzai at a conference in London last week, Washington sees its agriculture program as a way of impeding the Taliban, said the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke. "This is going to really hurt the Taliban, no question about it," said Holbrooke. "Unlike, say, re-integration, which they can attack, it's harder to attack this one because the country is an agricultural country." U.S. agriculture chief Tom Vilsack visited Afghanistan last month, meeting farmers and looking at ways of reviving a sector that is the main income source for eight in 10 Afghans. "From my discussions with regular Afghans, they would much rather be farmers than fighters," said Vilsack. "This is an economic issue." A major goal, he said, was to show farmers that legitimate, high-value crops like pomegranates and grapes could ultimately be more profitable than growing opium poppies, whose proceeds fuel the insurgency. Neither Holbrooke nor Vilsack could provide firm numbers on how many new farming jobs could be created but Holbrooke said rough estimates -- and these could not be vouched for -- could be as many as 1 million new jobs, from working the fields to marketing and packaging goods. "The sky seems to be the limit," said Holbrooke, adding that boosting agriculture was an integral part of the Obama administration's counter-insurgency strategy. "It's going to help deny the Taliban a pool of alienated, unemployed youths who go out and get paid to shoot," he said. "In the classic parlance, it will dry up the swamp." PROBLEMS AHEAD But the program faces obstacles from insecurity to irrigation, a shortage of refrigerated storage for perishable items, a lack of experts in the Afghan agriculture ministry and getting goods to local and international markets. India offers the greatest potential for Afghan produce but problems in transporting goods across neighboring Pakistan have been a stumbling block in boosting sales of apples, pomegranates and nuts -- higher-value products being touted to pull farmers away from planting opium poppies. Holbrooke said trade-transit talks were ongoing between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with another round planned soon after meetings in Dubai at the end of last month. "We are down to just one or two issues but they are very complicated and they involve the equities and politics of both Afghanistan and Pakistan," he said, without elaborating. In the meantime, the United States is seeking to pull away farmers from growing opium poppies and switch to wheat or higher-value products like pomegranates and table grapes. Farmers have relied on the Taliban to offer credit facilities, paying up front before the poppy harvest comes in. To counter this, the United States is helping the Afghan government to stand up a defunct agricultural credit bank but details are still being worked out. One of Vilsack's favorite graphs shows net returns on opium per hectare at $2,390 last year compared with $12,828 per hectare of pomegranates. "The Taliban, as long as there is opium production, have a hook on those folks. They have the ability to control their livelihood," said Vilsack, himself a farmer and former governor of the grain-producing state of Iowa. (Editing by John O'Callaghan) World More from Reuters Toyota sees $2 billion hit from recall problems TOKYO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp expects costs and lost sales from its largest ever safety recall to total $2 billion for the year to March, but raised its outlook after posting its strongest operating profit in six quarters. | Video Shell profits collapse on weak refining, gas Obama vows to get tough with China on currency | Video Health spending to get bigger share of economy Sony posts first profit in five quarters, lifts outlook Pfizer sees strong growth in China » More Top News A frosty welcome for G7 Break out the dog sleds. Canada's decision to host the G7 in the frostbitten Arctic has speculators wondering if the meeting is still relevant. Full Article Canada hopes to refresh G7 Forex, financial reform on the agenda U.S. to G7: Austerity will come Economy She's the star of the Tea Party The first national Tea Party convention is set to kick off amid in-fighting and criticism. Can Sarah Palin transform the movement into a political machine? Full Article Sarah Palin's got Ohio on her mind Tea Party "warriors" take aim at Florida Tea party target: Its own convention Politics © Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters Editorial Editions: Africa Arabic Argentina Brazil Canada China France Germany India Italy Japan Latin America Mexico Russia Spain United Kingdom United States Reuters Contact Us Advertise With Us Help Journalism Handbook Archive Site Index Video Index Analyst Research Mobile Newsletters RSS Podcasts Widgets Your View Labs Thomson Reuters Copyright Disclaimer Privacy Professional Products Professional Products Support Financial Products About Thomson Reuters Careers Online Products Acquisitions Monthly Buyouts.com Buyouts Europe: Buyouts Conferences: Venture Capital Journal EVCJ International Financing Review International Securitisation Report Project Finance International PEhub.com PE Week Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.

Other News on Thursday, 4 February 2010
Italy's prime minister links Gaza war to Holocaust
EU places Greece under tough budget scrutiny
Italian developer takes down iMussolini application from store
Scientists 'grow' edible insects in Costa Rica
Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West
Egypt: 2 editors punished for dealing with Israel
Gunslinger reflex helps save lives: UK research
Iraq court delays ban on hundreds of candidates
Indian mobiles fall silent over tower dispute
West offers skeptical reaction to Iran nuke plan
Jackson doctor 'ready to surrender to police'
Nokia says it has more than one million navigation clients
Suicide attack on Shiite pilgrims kills 23 in Iraq
Hynix executive, others, held over alleged Samsung theft
Bill Clinton to coordinate Haiti aid efforts |
US debt to hit ceiling by end February: Treasury
US-TECH Summary
Yugoslav partisan who saved Jews in Holocaust dies
Hamas hosts Fatah leader for unity talks |
Comcast profit up on Internet, phone subscribers
Barred Iraq candidates allowed to stand: official
Iran government survival hinges on nuclear issue: Israel |
Uproar in Brazil over huge Amazon dam plan
Hamas gives U.N. response to Gaza war crimes report
Newly independent AOL reports profit
China welcomes foreign Internet firms: minister
European states keep Swiss bank secrecy under siege |
AOL posts profit, but subscribers dwindle
Ukraine PM cries foul days before presidential poll |
Berlusconi in Bethlehem: Wall? What wall? |
Hynix executive, others, held over alleged Samsung theft
Nokia says it has more than one million navigation clients
Syrian FM: US has nominated ambassador to Damascus
Asia bolsters defences as West feels pinch: IISS
A look at the 2010 Cadillac SRX
NKorean-flagged Libyan ship hijacked off Yemen: EU
Scandal-plagued Baltimore mayor says goodbye
China to beef up security in restive Xinjiang
Judge drops charges against 1 in 1975 AIM slaying
Japan political kingmaker to avoid indictment: reports
Some House Dems oppose plan for jobs tax credit
Judge dismisses suit filed by Alamo followers
Malaysian police probe PM's aide over race remarks
Oracle database can be hacked remotely: researcher |
Prelim delayed for alleged unruly passenger in Pa.
US Senate condemns hacking of Google in China
US sees 'spike' in Vietnam human rights issues
Court: Man can't sue prosecutor over terror case
Obama to meet Dalai Lama despite Chinese warnings
Ohio teen told police he raped woman along road
Pakistan school bombing kills US soldiers, children
Marines brace for new push in southern Afghanistan
Argentina has Hollywood in its 'Eyes' after Oscar nod
Taiwan carmaker touts new luxury sedan in China
Worst movies of all time led by Clooney's "Batman"
President Hu says China must change economic model
US 'disappointed' by limits on Japan auto incentives
New Zealand virgin auctions herself for tuition
Soros: US, China key to world financial regulation
Up a favorite in quality Oscar race for animation |
Toyota hit by over 100 Prius brake complaints
Leif Garrett arrested for heroin possession |
Sharp swings to profit in third quarter
Asia stocks up on Wall Street rise
Executives get down and dirty in Undercover Boss |
Sphinx-lined alley hints at wealth of Egypt's lost empires
Argentina has Hollywood in its 'Eyes' after Oscar nod
"Hair" back in Serbia after 40 years, minus nudity
Austria welcomes Oscar "hat-trick"
Jamaican scholar, choreographer dies in US at 76
UK model Katie Price weds cage-fighter boyfriend
Haiti charity single reworks REM's 'Everybody Hurts'
List of top 15 cable shows in Nielsen ratings
Worst movies of all time led by Clooney's "Batman"
Hamas wants talks with US, Europe: Haniya
Ukraine candidate accuses rival of 'swimming in mud'
Bomb in Pakistan kills 3 U.S. soldiers, 3 children |
Google, NSA may team up over cyberattacks: report
Fury heats up after new AIG bonuses
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010
Pakistani scientist guilty in US servicemen attacks
Inspectors 'failed to check runway' before Concorde crash
In new term, Bernanke calls for Fed to stay independent
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle
Netanyahu hopes for talks with Palestinians in weeks
New technique helps search for another Earth
Iran leader's nuclear comments surprise West
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround
Kremlin body proposes radical makeover for Russia
Monster gobbles HotJobs for 225 million dollars
Netanyahu: Peace talks could resume in weeks
Afghans want to be farmers, not fighters, says U.S. |
Cisco quarterly profit up 23 percent
Israel pushing Middle East to war: Syria's Assad |
Iraq court lifts ban on hundreds of candidates
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says
Mideast peace talks will resume in 'coming weeks': Netanyahu
Oracle database can be hacked remotely: researcher
2009 videogame sales dip eight percent in Britain, Japan, US
Iran says it launches satellite rocket
Iran sends rocket with animal menagerie into space
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010
Samsung aims to treble smartphone sales in 2010 |
Hong Kong tycoons' wealth soars: Forbes
Google, NSA may team up over cyberattacks: report |
Lurid testimony at Anwar trial closed to public
Video game makers look for 2010 turnaround |
Netezza teams up with NEC to battle Oracle |
1 year on, China stays silent on missing lawyer
RIM device development holds promise, analyst says |
N.Korea eases curbs on markets amid anger: Seoul
Obama nears end of Uighur Guantanamo nightmare
Philanthropist Evelyn Haas dies at age 92
Pa. woman convicted in pierced kittens case
Men at Work ripped off 'Kookaburra' riff: Aus court
Australia blocks Iran shipments over weapons fears: PM
Hollywood studios lose landmark Internet download battle
Gunman kills self in Ill. store, no others injured
Obama vows to get tougher on China trade
Motivational speaker charged in sweat lodge deaths
2 charged with Indonesia maid's murder in Malaysia
Prius brakes questioned; Toyota probe expands
'Bling ring' burglar says not guilty of LA thefts
Senate report: 'Dirty money' still entering US
Brown getting Kennedy's seat, but not his desk
Toyota posts $1.7B profit, raises annual forecast
Seoul shares rise on autos; banks, retailers fall
GM says China sales nearly double in January
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status |
AA gives high flyers helicopter ride to Narita
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart |
SKorean, US firms embroiled in chip espionage case
Who can afford Howard Stern? |
Jay-Z sues lender over loan for NYC property |
Lady Antebellum set to crush Lil Wayne on U.S. chart
PAKISTAN
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia |
Report: China investing $956M with UK's Apax
Balloon flown over highest peak in the Americas
S.Korea firm wins three billion dollar Iraq deal
Seoul shares turn down on banks; autos advance
HBO renews Big Love for fifth season |
Obama vows to get tougher on China trade
Who can afford Howard Stern?
R&B singer Jill Scott sued by record label |
Source: Jackson's doc to be arraigned Friday
Oscar contenders vie for underdog status
Scattered Palestinian protests reflect a fractured struggle
Stewart tells O'Reilly he's voice of sanity on Fox
Israeli Oscar nominee "Ajami" admirable, but dark
HBO renews "Big Love" for fifth season
Giacometti sculpture smashes auction world record: Sotheby's
Pakistan arrests 30 suspects in U.S. forces attack |
Ukraine's Tymoshenko street protests
US teen blogging nosedives
New scan 'reads mind' of brain-damaged patient
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy: China |
Foreign food aid trickles into Haiti's black market |
Assad will lose power if Syria goes to war: Israel
Shell fourth-quarter profit dives 75%
IMF chief says may quit early; eyes French politics? |
Israel mulls indirect talks with Palestinians
Hopes rise for N.Ireland solution as leader returns
India offers official talks with Pakistan |
New US export strategy eyes Asia
Iraq condemns lifting candidate ban, MPs to meet |
Exclave's 10,000-strong protest rocks Russian politics |
Israel envisages indirect talks with Palestinians |
New Iraqi media rules raise specter of muzzled past |
Threat of new Orange protests raises Ukraine tension |
Obama aunt due in court over Kenya deportation: report
Cops: NY driver used mannequin in car pool lane
Suu Kyi, brother in court over house dispute
Trump annoyed with park weddings next to golf club
NKorea eases market crackdown amid economic woes
70-year-old jailed after crashing into Nev. casino
Thai plan to return Karen to Myanmar draws protest
Stakes high for Calif. in health care reform
Lurid evidence in Malaysia opposition leader trial
Family of Pakistan scientist slam US guilty verdict
Indonesian Muslim leaders slam horror movie
Mass. certifies GOP's Brown as Kennedy successor
Security bloc considers adding Iran, Pakistan
Obama begins full day at National Prayer Breakfast
Pakistan arrests 30 suspects in U.S. forces attack
Sumo's 'bad boy' Asashoryu to retire
House faces tough vote on $1.9 trillion more debt
2 gangsters sentenced to death in China
Discussing Iran sanctions hinders diplomacy
SKorean, US firms embroiled in chip espionage case
Sony quarterly profit surges to $861 million
Pakistani o/n rates up; rupee eases; stocks higher
China launches WTO complaint against EU shoe levy
Debt-laden Dubai says new off-shore oil field found
Toyota weighs on Tokyo stocks
Hollywood loses key battle over illegal downloads
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
HSBC to open in S.Lanka former war zone
Sony books $870mln quarterly profit
Japan's Hitachi back to profit in December quarter
China rejects Obama pressure over currency
New art auction record may not be end, say experts |
Hollywood loses key battle over illegal downloads
T.O., Ochocinco start Super parties on South Beach
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer
Web-based mystery romance lures indie producer |
Sparks fly as Bollywood, cricket and politics collide
India's book restorers: saving the past for the future
Hollywood loses landmark copyright case in Australia
James Cameron hints at Avatar sequel
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