InfoAnda - NATO forces in race to secure Kandahar

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

Paper Company, California Cities Top "Green Power" List | 28 July 2009
Eurozone manufacturing expands in 17-month first | 3 November 2009
Russia seeks spy swap to free agents in U.S. | 7 July 2010

US customs detains Mexican human rights activist | 18 October 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : NATO forces in race to secure Kandahar

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 NATO forces in race to secure Kandahar By HEIDI VOGT,Associated Press Writer - Sunday, January 24 Send IM Story Print KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – U.S. and Canadian forces are rushing to train a police force capable of blunting a Taliban comeback in Kandahar, the major city in Afghanistan's volatile south, the militants' spiritual birthplace and the key to turning back the insurgency. It's part of a larger effort that also aims to deliver services such as electricity and clean drinking water that the Taliban cannot provide _ encouraging support for the government in a city that was once the Taliban's headquarters. "We have to do everything right, we have to be lucky and we have to be fast," said Bill Harris, who arrived in November to oversee the U.S. development effort in Kandahar. "The city is kind of up for grabs, and we intend to get there first," Harris said. Time is short. The 2,800 Canadian troops who oversee operations in Kandahar and the surrounding province are due to leave Afghanistan next year. Many of the 30,000 U.S. troops ordered to Afghanistan as part of the American surge are expected to be sent to Kandahar. But President Barack Obama has pledged to begin pulling out U.S forces in July 2011 too. Six months ago, NATO dispatched reinforcements into Kandahar, fearing the Taliban were encroaching on this city of 800,000 people and the main commercial center of the south, the primary battlefield of the Afghan war. At the same time, the international community launched a program of economic aid and development projects here. On the surface, Kandahar hardly looks like a city at war. Trucks rumble through its crowded streets overloaded with produce and consumer goods from Pakistan. Fruit and vegetable sellers clog busy avenues, competing for space with pedestrians and taxicabs stuffed with riders. Yet the Taliban presence is never far in this city where the movement was born in the early 1990s and whose population is overwhelmingly Pashtun _ the same ethnic group as the Taliban. Armed Taliban bands control villages around the city, and Taliban agents move through the city at night, delivering letters warning people against cooperating with the U.S.-backed government. International forces find homemade bombs almost daily as they patrol the city streets. Without a respected police force, U.S. officials believe it is unlikely that the population will feel confident enough in the government to resist the insurgents. Traditionally, however, the police are among the least-trusted people in Kandahar. "All the militia fighters and drug users are in the police department," said Ilyasuddin Agha, a middle-aged grocer in the west of the city. "People won't go to the police if they have a problem. They'll just demand money." Mindful of the challenge, the U.S. dispatched nearly 300 military police to Kandahar in August _ a six-fold increase over the small Canadian and U.S. force that had been training Afghan police. Instead of simply lecturing in the classroom, the Americans and Canadians now live and work alongside the 2,000-strong Afghan police force to mentor and lead by example. Soldiers on patrol chat with merchants and mullahs about their problems and ways to fix them, encouraging Afghan police to interact with the people instead of intimidating them. In one volatile neighborhood on the city's western outskirts, soldiers from the 293rd Military Police Company from Fort Stewart, Georgia, must prod the Afghans to venture out of their stations and go on patrols. All too often, Afghan police wave cars through checkpoints rather than search them for weapons and explosives, said Sgt. John Hunt. At the doorway of his mud compound, Masto Gull, 35 and unemployed, said security is better since the Americans arrived. At least the Afghan police won't steal food from people's gardens as long as the Americans are around, he said. "It's very much a mental game," said Canadian Master Cpl. Aaron Miller. "We're using our credibility to bolster them." Lt. Col. Carl Turenne, the commander of the 430 Canadian military troops operating in the city and its suburbs, said there has been a lot of progress _ especially considering where the police were previously. "Two and a half years ago they weren't even wearing uniforms," Turenne said. As recently as last year, Afghan police would disarm roadside bombs by shooting at them. Now they call in explosives demolition teams, he said. For their part, Afghan commanders appear more interested in better weapons, body armor and vehicles than training. In a recent meeting with Canadian and U.S. military commanders, provincial police commander Gen. Sardar Mohammad Zazai said his priority was building a guesthouse for his visitors and family members when they come to the city. "They don't know that they're not well-trained," Sgt. Hunt said of the police. "They want all this stuff and then they just sit here." Measuring success is difficult in a war where public support is as important as heavy weaponry in gaining the upper hand. Although many Kandaharis believe security is better now, the real test will come in the spring _ traditionally the beginning of fighting season in Afghanistan. There are subtle signs that some Kandaharis are hedging their bets. Capt. Mike Thurman, the commander of the 293rd Military Police Company, said his soldiers like to buy food from a kebab shop while on patrol. A few days after the troops' first visit, police found a bomb planted in the spot where the Americans parked their vehicle. Now, the owner asks them to park out of sight and send their Afghan translator to pick up the food. "He doesn't mind having us come by," said Thurman, 31, of Fremont, Nebraska. "But he doesn't want us where we can be spotted." ___ Associated Press writer Noor Khan contributed to this report from Kandahar. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Malaysian police arrest four over Muslim prayer hall attacks AFP - 2 hours 23 minutes ago Save the tiger: Pressure mounts for tougher action AP - Sunday, January 24 Aussies hopping mad at govt stance on toad-busting AP - Sunday, January 24 Car bomb attack kills four in Pakistan AFP - Sunday, January 24 29 killed in clashes, suicide attack in Pakistan AP - Sunday, January 24 News Search Top Stories Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head Bernanke fate in doubt as US Senate opposition swells Bank 'sheriff' Obama hits hard in Europe: analysts GE profit tops forecasts despite finance weakness Last decade warmest ever: NASA More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Bank 'sheriff' Obama hits hard in Europe: analysts Bernanke fate in doubt as US Senate opposition swells Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head Last decade warmest ever: NASA Haiti quake is a new warning of Latin America's faultline More Most Viewed » Huge tomb found at Egypt's Saqqara pyramid Woman who saved Anne Frank's diary dead at 100 Scientists praise Obama as Doomsday clock reset 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 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 24 January 2010
US Marines' Iraq command ends; Biden in Baghdad
Pope urges priests to make 'astute' use of Internet
U.S. to appeal dismissal of Blackwater charges
Glacier alarm 'regrettable error': UN climate head
Saudi claims Yemeni rebels linked to al Qaeda
Militants in Afghan killings, kidnapping
Saudi claims Yemeni rebels linked to al Qaeda |
Israel's Netanyahu seeks to calm nerves on Lebanon |
Putin seeks more jobs to stabilize North Caucasus |
Sudan ex-rebels say to boycott vote in oil state |
Save the tiger: Pressure mounts for tougher action
Plouffe to play expanded advisory role for Obama
Aussies hopping mad at govt stance on toad-busting
Calif. skies clear; snow piles up in N. Ariz, NM
Car bomb attack kills four in Pakistan
29 killed in clashes, suicide attack in Pakistan
Obama's State of the Union agenda: Yes, I get it
Chief backs 911 caller in Ohio roadside rape case
Biden says US to appeal Blackwater court decision
NATO forces in race to secure Kandahar
Crumbling cliffs don't deter Pacifica residents
Tax the rich? Ore. voters scratching their ballots
Dog surge along with troop surge in Afghan war
After a lousy week, Democrats hope to recover
Sri Lanka opposition warns of poll violence
Sri Lankan ruling party plans violence: opposition
Obamas head out to watch daughter play basketball
Japan political 'kingpin' denies fund allegations
Car bomb attack kills four in NW Pakistan
"Guys and Dolls" actress Jean Simmons dies at 80
India carmaker Maruti profit triples
NYPD Faces $2 Million Suit for Jailing Men Over Candy
`Basterds,' `Precious,' `30 Rock' lead SAG Awards
Google Co-founders To Sell $2.75 Billion In Stock
Farmer Shoots 51 Cows Dead Then Self
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters
Design for a good cause at Berlin fashion week
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters |
Deadlines Forcing Government Agencies To Open Information Vaults
Dior Homme does Amish chic
Boy, 9, Commits Suicide Inside Texas School Bathroom
Marxist Group Accuses U.S. Of Military Occupation In Haiti
Jacques Tati back in Paris for Kenzo's 50s fashion
Obama Reassures Americans, Vows To Fight For His Goals
Guthrie show benefits western Mass. fire victims
Stars unite to help Haiti in telethon
The art of forgery goes on show in London
46 injured after plane crash lands in Iran
France probes migrants' mass-landing in Corsica
Aid workers try to ramp up Haiti relief efforts |
Google courts smartphone game makers
Britain sceptical about US banking reform
Afghanistan to postpone parliament poll |
US peace envoy meeting with Israeli prime minister
Top US senators say Fed chief will win second term
Caucasus extremists 'vanquished': Putin
Winning the Afghan war, Dutch style
Illegal gold miners freeze to death in China |
Venezuela tells cable to cut anti-Chavez station |
Expert lawyers to declare Iraq war illegal: reports
North Korea accuses South of declaring war |
Turkey detains 2 journalists, others in PKK raids
Japan PM's party clouded by scandal despite denial |
Israel's Netanyahu seeks to calm nerves on Lebanon
Gunmen fire on Papua mine employees, nine wounded |
Sudan ex-rebels say to boycott vote in oil state
Anthrax in heroin kills eight in Europe |
Turkey detains 2 journalists, others in PKK raids |
Montreal to host talks on rebuilding Haiti
Killer's son finds solace in unlikely ally
Cambodia reports clash with Thai troops
Obama facing huge economic challenges ahead
Shooting near Freeport mine in Indonesia wounds 7
2 killed when plane crashes in suburban Chicago
Illegal gold miners freeze to death in China
Six wounded in ambush near US mine in Indonesia
Obama endorses deficit task force
Flight diverted to Denver due to unruly passenger
Japan PM's party clouded by scandal despite denial
Senators assure Obama Bernanke to win 2nd term
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Malaysia police hold six over Indonesia maid death
US base row focus of Japan city vote
Film focuses on Mormon role in gay marriage ban
North Korea accuses South of declaring war
N.Koreans barter amid currency change chaos
Bank of China to sell up to $5.8B in bonds
US asked to drag China to WTO over Google dispute
Spotlight turns to Apple's 'latest creation'
Argentine foreign minister to lead China trip
Sandra Bullock hushes Oscar talk
Betty White accepts lifetime achievement award
"Basterds," Bullock, Bridges big SAG winners
'Jersey Shore' cast party overwhelms NJ nightclub
Basterds, Bullock, Bridges big SAG winners |
'Inglourious Basterds' wins top honor at SAG Awards
German taste for budget food worries producers
Sandra Bullock hushes Oscar talk |
A view from the winners' table at the SAG Awards
Hope for Haiti Now telethon raises $57 million |
Complete list of winners at 16th annual SAG Awards
Bill Gates goes to Sundance, offers an education |
Filmmakers eye Web, TV as alternate to theaters |
Iraq's PM orders probe on bomb detectors
US-TECH Summary
Bin Laden claims responsibility for U.S. plane attack |
Barclays Capital head 'slates Obama bank plan'
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest
Five US soldiers killed in Afghan unrest
Afghanistan delays parliament poll |
Japan PM plagued by funding scandal, U.S. base row |
Iran plane catches fire after crash-landing
Plane catches fire in Iran, injures 42 |
U.S. envoy offered "interesting ideas"
U.S. envoy offered interesting ideas: Netanyahu: |
Two US soldiers killed in Afghan unrest
Ahmadinejad says new budget less dependent on oil |
Taliban kill seven US 'spies' in Pakistan: police
Afghanistan postpones parliamentary election
Israel to rebut Gaza war report |
Ahmadinejad hints Iran plans to enrich more uranium
Report: Iran unrest 'full-blown rights crisis'
Militants kill 6 Pakistanis for alleged US spying
Beijing encourages cycling in bid to cut traffic
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest
China paper slams U.S. for cyber role in Iran unrest |
Chinese police prepare for attacks ahead of expo
Afghan commission postpones parliamentary vote
Anti-India protest erupts in Kashmir
AP Exclusive: Feds detail Christmas Day attack
Bombs kill 3 US service members in Afghanistan
China-Taiwan trade talks to start this week
Bin Laden tape warns of further US attacks
4 million Muslims gather for prayer in Bangladesh
Taliban kill seven in Pakistan for being "U.S. spies"
16-year-old girl starts solo sail around globe
Three US soldiers killed in Afghan violence: NATO
The nation's weather
US envoy shares 'new ideas' with Israel PM
India fast tracks highway expansion plans
China to step up efforts on overheating: analysts
Obama bank plan unlikely to concern Asia: analysts
China, Taiwan trade talks to begin Tuesday: report
Telethon raises more than $58 mln for Haiti
Germany rock band Scorpions to end career
Indians keep faith with Ganges despite pollution
Bloody frontlines of Afghanistan arrive in Sundance
High-end hotel boom sweeps Beirut
Manhunts, alienation in latest Rwanda genocide film
Children of Auschwitz recall liberation 65 years on
Son of Escobar wrestling with sins of father
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		BlogMeter 1.01