InfoAnda - Afghanistan's ranks of civil servants under siege

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

Geithner says U.S. could hit debt limit by March 31 | 7 January 2011
Panama president wanted to wiretap rivals: WikiLeaks | | 26 December 2010
Native American actors see new image in Twilight | | 29 June 2010

Afghanistan markets its brand of pomegranates | 20 November 2008

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Afghanistan's ranks of civil servants under siege

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 Africa Europe Latin America Middle East North America Afghanistan's ranks of civil servants under siege By DEB RIECHMANN and AMIR SHAH,Associated Press Writers - Wednesday, August 4 Send IM Story Print KABUL, Afghanistan – The Taliban have issued a new code of conduct ordering fighters to protect civilians _ as long as they don't side with the Afghan government or NATO coalition. If they do, the punishment is death. The 69-page directive, obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press in southern Afghanistan, follows an acceleration in Taliban attacks on Afghan officials _ a campaign that threatens the NATO goal of bolstering local government to help turn back the insurgents. "The Taliban must treat civilians according to Islamic norms and morality to win over the hearts and minds of the people," says the code, which the insurgents began distributing about a week ago. On the other hand, the code makes clear that civilians who work with foreign troops or the Afghan government are fair game. "They are supporters of the infidels" and can be killed, the code says. The code updates a similar directive released a year ago that limited the use of suicide bombers and mandated that prisoners cannot be harmed or ransomed without the approval of a Taliban regional commander. NATO and Afghan officials criticized last year's code as propaganda and insisted it does not reflect how the Taliban really fight. Analysts familiar with the Taliban said last year's code was more of a political statement than a military textbook, meant to counter the international coalition's own attempts at winning hearts and minds. The U.N. has reported about 70 percent of the civilian casualties are caused by the Taliban, mostly people being killed or wounded in suicide attacks and roadside bombs. The new code confirms what is becoming increasingly apparent: The ranks of Afghanistan's civil servants are under siege. Roadside bombs are planted on their routes. Ominous letters threaten their families. Taliban on motorbikes shoot them in the streets. An average of three government officials have been attacked or killed every month so far this year, according to a tally by The Associated Press based on police reports. Attacks have occurred in about a dozen of the 35 provinces. Many more incidents are believed to go unreported. In one of the most dramatic attacks, gunmen assassinated the deputy mayor of Kandahar city in April as he knelt for evening prayers in a mosque in the south. Local officials get regular reminders that their jobs might cost them their lives. Mohammad Rahim Amin, a local government chief in Baraki Barak district of Logar province, said he received a telephone threat the other day. "How are you, servant of infidels?" the caller asked him. Amin, unruffled, turned the tables on the man on the other end of the line. "I'm OK," he replied. "How are you, killer of the Afghan nation?" Amin has survived two Taliban ambushes and a roadside bomb that coalition forces safely defused. "My family is all the time worrying about me," Amin said. "Two months ago, we received a threat letter that said: `Don't work with the government, otherwise your family will be destroyed.'" These attacks undermine efforts by the government of President Hamid Karzai to earn the trust of the people. They also make it more difficult to recruit Afghans for the civil service and strengthen administration, especially at the provincial and district levels where the threat is greatest. "When you have targeted killings, especially the tribal leaders, it creates an environment of fear," said Barna Karami, deputy of Afghanistan's Independent Directorate of Local Governance. "It's natural that when security deteriorates, targeted killings, kidnappings and assassinations make people fear to participate in government." The Taliban are stepping up their attacks on local officials because Afghan and foreign troops are ramping up their pressure on the insurgents. Over the past 30 days, coalition and Afghan troops have captured or killed 50 insurgent leadership figures and more than 425 suspected militants, NATO says. With about 7,500 NATO reinforcements streaming into Afghanistan in the coming weeks and months _ joining up with 110,000 already here _ the Taliban's fear and intimidation campaign will likely become more aggressive. "The means that they use to fight can only result in a great number of civilian casualties," said Lt. Col. John Dorrian, a NATO spokesman in Kabul. "They are ruthless and they are willing to take shortcuts like using improvised explosive devices and suicide attackers, which almost always result in innocents being killed as well." Dorrian said targeted attacks on local officials present challenges for Gen. David Petraeus' counterinsurgency strategy, which aims to provide security and earn the trust of the Afghan people. As Afghan security forces grow and more NATO troops arrive, the insurgents will have less freedom to move and fewer places to hide, he said. For now, however, the lives of Afghan civil servants _ governors, teachers, community leaders and police _ are in danger across the country. New Zealand suffered its first combat fatality in Afghanistan on Tuesday when a soldier died in an ambush in Bamiyan province that seriously wounded another two New Zealand soldiers and an Afghan interpreter. In Dand district to the west of Kandahar, a suicide car bomber blew himself up next to a vehicle taking district government chief Ahmadullah Nazak to work on Monday. Nazak was injured but six children were killed. In Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan, Karzai adviser Wahidullah Sabaoun was wounded, but not seriously, when his convoy was hit by a remote-controlled bomb hidden in a rickshaw. Kazim Allayar, deputy governor of Ghazni, said he's been targeted by the Taliban seven times. A remote-controlled mine in Ghazni city badly damaged his car, but he and his bodyguard escaped injury. Another time, a bomb, placed inside a cooking pot and strapped to a parked motorbike, exploded as he drove by. Still he stays in his job. "It is my duty," he said. "Afghanistan is my homeland. As a soldier of this nation, we are struggling and fighting. We are ready for sacrifice." Mohammad Hussain Fahimi, a member of the provincial council in Wardak province, said he and his fellow council member "do not take one step outside the city." If he needs to travel, he lies about where he's going because he worries that shopkeepers and taxi drivers, who spy for the Taliban, will alert insurgents of his whereabouts. Government representatives from Jalrez, Nirkh and Sayd Abad districts that are controlled by the Taliban have shifted their families to Kabul. ___ Associated Press Writer Matiullah Achakzai contributed to this report from Spin Boldak, Afghanistan. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Kenyans vote on new constitution AFP - 1 hour 52 minutes ago Kenya constitutional referendum kicks off AFP - Wednesday, August 4 BP 'plugs' Gulf of Mexico oil well AFP - 51 minutes ago UK-World Summary Reuters - 51 minutes ago Wyclef Jean to seek Haitian presidency - TIME Reuters - 52 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Wimbledon finalist Zvonareva triumphs at WTA tennis Isner ousts Thiemo de Bakker in Washington tennis Societe General sees second-quarter profits triple US obesity growing 'faster than anyone imagined' Spanish resort city readies to host Michelle Obama, daughter More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Schumacher says 'sorry' for Barrichello move Charlie Sheen agrees plea deal over assault charge BMW profit leaps seven-fold in second quarter Euro climbs above $1.32, yen scores 2010 peak Census shines light on biodiversity of the seas More Most Viewed » Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery World's first full face transplant man appears on TV Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag Calcium supplements linked to heart attacks: study 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 Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Explosions kill 12, wound 55 in Iraqi city of Kut
Russia struggles to quell wildfire emergency
Haider's millions came from Libya, Iraq: media reports
US-TECH Summary
Lebanon, Israel troops clash on border
US raises rights concerns at Russia detentions
Analysis: Cash-rich Apple's CFO may have world's best job
Fearful Americans save more as recovery slows
Explosions kill 12 and wound 55 in Iraqi city of Kut |
42 killed in Iraq attacks as Qaeda plants flag
BlackBerry users lambast planned UAE services ban
Pfizer notches nine percent profit jump
U.S. aims to tighten sanctions grip on Iran |
RIM unveils new BlackBerry to counter iPhone
U.S. aims to tighten sanctions grip on Iran
GM's US sales up 5.4 percent in July, Ford up 3.1 percent
30 killed, 80 wounded in Iraq twin car bombs: medic
Israeli officer killed in Lebanon border clashes
Taliban attack main US base in Afghan south
Lebanese troops killed, Israelis wounded in clashes
Cuban food output down despite agriculture reforms |
Pakistan in fresh warning as floods hit 3.2 million
Pakistan's Zardari says war with Taliban being lost
NY mosque near Sept. 11 site wins approval
Pakistani president faces terror row in Britain
Indonesia must reach political deal with Papua: ICG
Fiji ruler says he doesn't trust his people with democracy
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hackers could enslave iPad and iPhone: security firm |
Lady Gaga wins record 13 MTV video music nominations
Tourists lose themselves in new London maze
U.S. authorities able to tap BlackBerry messaging |
Obesity weighs heavily on health, lifespan in US: study
Taiwan business furious at court's environment decision
Large gaps in Asia-Pacific development goals: UN
Russian rapper jailed for 10 days after mocking police
Employees at Indian Volvo bus plant strike over pay
Spanish resort readies to host Obamas
India microlender raises $353 million in share sale
Boeing hikes Indian plane purchase forecast by 15%
Lady Gaga wins record 13 MTV video music nominations |
Sandra Bullock earns top paycheck in Hollywood |
Qaeda linked group claims attack on Japan tanker
Societe General sees second-quarter profits triple
Political violence rages in Karachi, 12 more killed |
Israeli shelling kills Gaza militant
Kenyans vote in referendum on new constitution |
Isner ousts Thiemo de Bakker in Washington tennis
Qaeda linked group claims attack on Japan tanker |
U.S. urges Japan follow EU with more Iran sanctions |
US obesity growing 'faster than anyone imagined'
Spanish resort city readies to host Michelle Obama, daughter
Sharp plans to launch 3D smartphone this year
Haider's millions came from Libya, Iraq: media reports
Israeli shelling kills Gaza militant: medics |
Motorola, Verizon team up to launch TV device: report
Saudi regulator says Blackberry ban begins Friday
Obama heartbroken by Zimbabwe's decline |
First New Zealand soldier dies in Afghanistan
Hackers could enslave iPad, iPhone: security firms
Afghanistan's ranks of civil servants under siege
Pakistan floods threaten to bring food crisis |
Saudi regulator stops BlackBerry services starting Friday
Pacific island leaders urged to engage Fiji
RIM unleashes BlackBerry Torch to take on iPhone
Wyclef Jean to seek Haitian presidency: report |
Motorola, Verizon team up to launch TV device: report
American Idol dumps Sony label for Universal
Pakistan floods threaten to bring food crisis
Canada gives $2m in aid to flood-hit Pakistan
Fans face long wait for final "Twilight" movie
Australia PM Gillard faces tobacco, poll battles
At least three dead in China school attack
Cambodia 'respects' KRouge jailer's conviction: PM
Global Weather-Celsius
Militants claim suicide bomb attack on Japan tanker
RIM unveils new BlackBerry to counter Apple iPhone |
S.Korea warns N.Korea on eve of naval drill
Lady Gaga, Carla Bruni top Vanity Fair best dressed
Millions of Japanese trapped in 'hidden poverty'
Motorola, Verizon team up to launch TV device: report |
Gaza girls turn to fishing to feed family
Sharp plans to launch 3D smartphone this year |
US to target secret funds of N.Korea's Kim
Emmy's actor race a (mostly) level playing field
Indonesian Internet use booming
Justin Bieber to play himself in 3D movie
Rome re-lives the Dolce Vita in a photo exhibit
Fans face long wait for final "Twilight" movie
New musical returns Alice to Wonderland, via Broadway
American Idol dumps Sony label for Universal
Mitsui: won't pay BP until spill cause 'revealed'
Justin Bieber ready for big-screen biopic
Toyota first quarter net profit 2.2 billion dlrs
Pakistani c.bank buys 33.10 bln rupees of govt paper
Seoul shares end flat; refiners rise, autos fall
S&P owner hits back at China criticism: report
Taiwan insurer shares up on China investment rules
PAKISTAN
Key promotion fuels Tata succession speculation
Seoul shares end flat; refiners rise, autos fall
S.Korea bonds up; US data damps rate hike concern
Fans face long wait for final Twilight movie |
Emmy's actor race a (mostly) level playing field |
Justin Bieber to play himself in 3D movie |
Wyclef Jean to seek Haitian presidency: report |
New musical returns Alice to Wonderland, via Broadway |
Israel axes trees, nixes tension after Lebanon clash
Dutch teen sets off for world solo sailing bid
Iran's Ahmadinejad unhurt after blast near motorcade |
Ahmadinejad unhurt after motorcade explosion
British bank Lloyds returns to profit in first half
Israel cuts down trees that caused Lebanon clashes
Saudi and RIM in last-ditch talks
Pakistan president under attack over Europe trip
U.N. supports Israeli claim on Lebanon clash |
Wimbledon finalist Zvonareva triumphs at WTA tennis
Google changes trademark ad policy in Europe
Instant view
Russian wildfires death toll rises to 48: ministry
Google loosens Europe ad trademark controls
Iran's Ahmadinejad unhurt after blast near motorcade
IPads set for official Israeli launch in a few weeks
Czechs bury anti-communist fighter |
Gaza militants may be behind rockets, Egypt says
EU Commission chose iPhone and HTC over BlackBerry
Two U.N. Gaza probes will not overlap: rights chief |
Iran denies grenade attack on Ahmadinejad
Ban on BlackBerry data a security badge of honor
Take stance on Bashir arrest, group tells Africa
Italy minister says snap polls possible in autumn |
Naomi Campbell gives blood diamond testimony at Taylor trial |
Food fears for Pakistan flood survivors
South Korea drills draw North ire, no retaliation seen
Three children die in latest China school attack
Saudi and RIM in last-ditch talks |
Toyota posts quarterly profit, raises forecast
Man detained after China school attack: state media
Politics trump bling as "Real Housewives" move to D.C.
Intel settles U.S. charges that it stifled rivals |
Asian families struggle to support children, parents
Wyclef Jean to seek Haitian presidency: report
Google changes trademark ad policy in Europe |
EU Commission chose iPhone and HTC over BlackBerry |
IPads set for official Israeli launch in a few weeks |
BlackBerry 'will not let India monitor messages'
Indian tycoon 'targets Blackburn takeover'
Pakistani stocks flat; rupee firms; o/n rates down
Liverpool bidder has Wall St. flair, Beijing connections
Taiwan expects big leap in China procurements
Floods destroy Pakistan farmers' livelihoods
Politics trump bling as Real Housewives move to D.C. |
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