Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Afghan leaders warn against firing Gen. McChrystal
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
Afghan leaders warn against firing Gen. McChrystal
By DEB RIECHMANN,Associated Press Writer -
Thursday, June 24
Send
IM Story
Print
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan officials said Wednesday that firing Gen. Stanley McChrystal would disrupt progress in the war and could jeopardize a pivotal security operation under way in Taliban strongholds in the south.
At the end of a one-hour video conference Tuesday night with President Barack Obama, Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed his confidence in the top NATO commander in Afghanistan, Karzai spokesman Waheed Omar said.
McChrystal was summoned to Washington to explain disparaging comments published in Rolling Stone magazine that he and his top aides made about Obama's national security team.
The uncertainty over the leadership of the war comes amid mounting violence. NATO announced eight more troop deaths Wednesday for a a total of 75 this month _ matching the death toll of the deadliest month of the nine-year war in July 2009.
The dead service members include four Americans, two Romanians and a British Marine who died from combat, along with an Italian who died in a vehicle accident, according to military officials from the respective countries and Italian news reports.
While McChrystal, who met with Obama on Wednesday, was harshly scolded by his superiors in the United States, officials in Afghanistan rallied to his support, saying he had increased cooperation between Afghan and international troops, worked to reduce civilian casualties and gained the trust of the Afghan people.
"The president believes that we are in a very sensitive juncture in the partnership, in the war on terror and in the process of bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan, and any gap in this process will not be helpful," Omar told reporters.
"We hope there is not a change of leadership of the international forces here in Afghanistan and that we continue to partner with Gen. McChrystal."
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid, however, said McChrystal should resign because his strategy had "clearly failed."
"The problems between American leaders over Afghan issues very clearly show that the policy and the strategy of America has failed," he said. "They cannot win this war because the Afghan nation is united and they are committed to defeating American forces in Afghanistan."
The violence is also hitting Afghans. A vehicle belonging to a candidate for parliament hit a roadside bomb early Wednesday in the east, killing the candidate's brother. The candidate was wounded but survived, said Ghafoor Khan, a police spokesman in Nangarhar province.
In Uruzgan province, seven private security guards were killed Wednesday when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in Chora district, said deputy provincial police chief Gulab Khan. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the deaths of the guards, who were providing security for a construction company that was building a road in the area.
The flap over McChrystal comes as NATO and Afghan forces are ramping up security in and around the key southern city of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban.
Karzai's younger half-brother, Ahmad Wali Karzai, the head of the Kandahar provincial council, gave McChrystal a ringing endorsement, telling reporters in Kandahar that McChrystal's leadership would be sorely missed.
"If he is fired, it will disrupt the operation," Ahmad Wali Karzai said. "It definitely will affect it. He (McChrystal) started all this, and he has a good relationship with the people. The people trust him and we trust him. If we lose this important person, I don't think that this operation will work in a positive way."
In Kabul, Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi also publicly voiced his support for the general, who is prepared to submit his resignation to Obama, according to two military officials. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue.
"Since Gen. McChrystal took over the job as commander of the international forces, there have been a lot of changes in different departments, which are very important and positive," Azimi said. "For example, there has been a decrease in the numbers of civilian casualties and we're still working jointly with McChrystal to decrease it further."
Azimi spoke at a regular news conference held with Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, spokesman for the NATO command in Kabul. Blotz declined to discuss McChrystal's fate or the magazine article, which reported deep rifts between the top commander in the war and the U.S. administration.
"Let us be a little bit more patient," Blotz said.
___
Associated Press writers Amir Shah and Rahim Faiez in Kabul and Mirwais Khan in Kandahar contributed to this report.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
UK-World Summary Reuters - 38 minutes ago
Quake rattles Ottawa, other Canada cities Reuters - 39 minutes ago
Obama relieves McChrystal of Afghan command AFP - 42 minutes ago
U.S. to issue more flexible oil drilling moratorium Reuters - 50 minutes ago
Belarus says Russia gas debt paid, threatens transit cut AFP - 1 hour 16 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Oil gushes unchecked after BP submarine accident
Fed holds low rates, cites worse financial conditions
Belarus says Russia gas debt paid, threatens transit cut
Fed holds low rates, says economic recovery continues
US new-home sales plunge to record low in May
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Aussie men shoot each other in buttocks 'to see if it hurts'
Michael Jackson's death triggers billion dollar bonanza
France's richest woman moves to defuse scandal
Taxes up, spending cut in Britain's 'bloodbath' budget
Prince Albert of Monaco announces engagement
More Most Viewed »
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.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 24 June 2010 Obama fires McChrystal, picks Petraeus to head Afghan war
Balkan leaders discuss ties, EU prospects at Istanbul summit
US-TECH Summary
NATO chief says strategy for Afghanistan unchanged
|
Obama fires Afghan war commander McChrystal: report
Fed holds low rates, says economic recovery continues
Belarus says Russia gas debt paid, threatens transit cut
White Apple iPhone 4s sold out on eve of launch
Iran must respond to nuclear concerns: Brazil
'French Hannibal Lecter' tells how he ate lung
Quantum control: New step forward for supercomputers
Iraqi Islamist militants claim latest bank attack
Fed Continues Pledge To Keep Rates At Record Low
US new-home sales plunge to record low in May
Japanese fans queue up for Apple's new iPhone
French bank seeks 4.9 bln euros from Kerviel
Senate Seeks To Punish Gulf Oil Rig Safety Inspectors
Quake rattles Ottawa, other Canada cities
|
Good Tech software may aid corporate iPhone sales
Arizona Restaurant Serves Lion Meat To Mark World Cup
McChrystal says he resigned for good of mission
Obama Relieves McChrystal, Taps Petraeus As New Afghanistan Commander
Afghan leaders warn against firing Gen. McChrystal
BP Containment Cap Removed After Submarine Glitch
Council of Europe opposes bans on Muslim face veils
|
Americans Expect Jesus By 2050
Opera widens lead over iPhone in mobile browsers
GM Plans IPO To Sell Portion Of Treasury's Stake
Drake Earns #1 Debut With "Thank Me Later" On Billboard Albums Chart
New Home Sales Tumble To Record Low In May
Dreamworks Animation To Bring Troll Dolls To The Big Screen
Obama relieves McChrystal of Afghan command
Deadlocked global whaling talks run aground
Toronto man charged in G20 bomb plot
Taiwan's Lu keeps focus to go through
Court urged to jail N.Koreans over bid to kill defector
Indonesian police catch key terror suspect
Pakistan can help broker Afghan talks
Indonesia to protect 'sex clip' stars from Islamists
Verizon, Motorola to battle iPhone with Droid X
|
Taiwan, China expect to sign trade pact next week: source
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Pakistan court again orders websites blocked
Dancing, exhibits, specials mark Michael Jackson anniversary
Young Frenchmen spend as much on clothes as women
Disney and IMAX sign three-picture 3D deal
Midsummer festival gives Latvians a break from slump
Buzz is back in Singapore convention and expo business
Dancing, exhibits, specials mark Michael Jackson anniversary
|
Disney and IMAX sign three-picture 3D deal
|
12 killed as train hits revelers in Spain
NATO chief says strategy for Afghanistan unchanged
|
Sleep-deprived Apple fans brave rain for iPhone 4
OSCE calls for international police force in Kyrgyz south
|
Verizon and Motorola to battle iPhone with Droid X
Australia gets first woman PM
|
Drake Earns #1 Debut With "Thank Me Later" On Billboard Albums Chart
Google examining impact of new China laws on products
June deadliest month for troops in Afghan war
Canada police make explosives arrest before G8/G20
|
Swype hits Droid, eyes iPhones for future
Disgraced millionaire lobbyist takes pizza job
Venezuela to nationalize U.S. firm's oil rigs
|
Russian president downloads Silicon Valley success
Dismay in Kabul over McChrystal sacking
Guilty verdict in Toronto 18 bomb plot trial
|
Over 160,000 Android devices sold every day: Google CEO
Obama dumps McChrystal over magazine tirade
Nurse in iconic World War II kiss photograph dies
Rescuers rush aid to Brazil flood towns; 44 dead
|
Gulf containment cap reattached, collecting oil: BP
Taiwan and China to sign landmark trade deal on June 29
|
U.N.'s Ban criticizes East Jerusalem housing plan
Google and YouTube defeat Viacom in copyright lawsuit
Fed maintains record-low rates
China says breaks up terrorist cell in Xinjiang
|
Celia upgraded to major hurricane, new Pacific storm forms
US judge tosses out Viacom copyright suit against YouTube
Afghans relieved at choice of Gen. Petraeus
'Tweeting' Medvedev tours Silicon Valley
Auto accident kills 4 NATO troops in Afghanistan
Verizon and Motorola to battle iPhone with Droid X
17 kg of 20 pct enriched uranium ready: Iran
Over 160,000 Android devices sold every day: Google CEO
Disney To Release "Pirates," "Cars" Sequels In IMAX 3D
China busts Xinjiang 'terror cell'
Second Season Of ABC Family's "Make It Or Break It" To Premiere June 28
Sleep-deprived Apple fans brave rain for iPhone 4
|
U.S. Markets Finish Mixed On Fed, Housing Data
Verizon and Motorola to battle iPhone with Droid X
|
Google and YouTube defeat Viacom in copyright lawsuit
|
Witness in Philippine massacre trial killed
Google examining impact of new China laws on products
|
Google and YouTube defeat Viacom in copyright lawsuit
|
Flood-hit south China braces for more rains
Australia gets first woman PM
Swype hits Droid, eyes iPhones for future
|
Toyota's top test driver killed in German road crash
China says breaks up "terrorist" cell in Xinjiang
Russian president downloads Silicon Valley success
|
Quake near Ottawa, rattles Canada and U.S.
Hong Kong lawmakers set to adopt political reforms
What Viacom's loss to YouTube means for Hollywood
Oscar organizers consider moving up award show date
Japan finance minister to push for tax on rich
Taiwan stocks end slightly up before cbank meeting
Blast wounds nine in Sri Lanka capital
N.Korea economy shrinks in 2009: bank
Former China PM's Tiananmen diary on sale in US
Seoul shares gain on banks, builders; retail down
Xinjiang 'terror cell' busted, says China
Unicom in talks to launch iPhone 4, iPad in China
Japan export growth slows as Eurozone fears weigh
WRAPUP 1-S.Korea upgrades outlook, moves closer to rate rise
Toyota China plant idle as Honda resumes work
Drake and Tom Petty lead U.S. album charts
PAKISTAN
What Viacom's loss to YouTube means for Hollywood
New Zealand growth slows but rates still to rise
"Twilight" fans gear up for "Eclipse" premiere
Holding Oscars earlier would be tricky
Bin Laden Hunter Returning To U.S.
Rocker Gregg Allman has liver transplant
4-Year-Old Indian Boy Does 1,500 Push-Ups In 40 Minutes
The Offspring to unveil new song on summer tour
Obama Relieves McChrystal, Taps Petraeus As New Afghanistan Commander
"Twilight"s Robert Pattinson related to Dracula
Picasso work top sale at record-breaking British auction
Americans Expect Jesus By 2050
LA cemetery welcomes Michael Jackson fans, bans doves
|
Twilights Robert Pattinson related to Dracula
|
Mexico seeks extradition of Survivor ex-producer
|
What Viacom's loss to YouTube means for Hollywood
|
Oscar organizers consider moving up award show date
|
Former manager sues Joan Rivers, claims defamation
|
Twilight fans gear up for Eclipse premiere
|
Drake and Tom Petty lead U.S. album charts
|
Holding Oscars earlier would be tricky
|
Suicide bombers target Iraq troops and police
Apple's iPhone 4 makes world debut
Germany fires pre-G20 broadside at US criticism
Pakistani court sentences Americans for terrorism
|
French 'Hannibal Lecter' trial heads for verdict
7 Afghan construction workers killed in bombing
Paraguay want to end New Zealand's W.Cup fairytale
Afghans do not expect change from U.S. shake-up
|
Nokia to use Linux for flagship N-series phones
Mass strike against pension reform hits France
Fish out of water: Gene clue to evolutionary step
Relief greets Obama pick for new war commander
Families Return Home As Coconino Forest Fire Contained
Gameworld: Video gamers can now play for more than high scores
German finance minister warns of debt addictions
Target Recalls Childrens Belts Made In China Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
Pakistan court wants Google, Yahoo, YouTube blocked
Flood-hit China battles rain, 365 dead so far
|
Millions Of Cribs Recalled As Seven Manufacturers Address Entrapment, Suffocation and Fall Hazards
McDonalds Faced With Lawsuit Over Toys In Happy Meals
Russian Billionaire Reportedly Paid $1 Million To Appear In Lady Gaga's Video
Report Gives U.S. Health Care System A Failing Grade
Nokia to use Linux for flagship N-series phones
Google Wins YouTube Copyright Infringement Case Against Viacom
Hurricane Darby forms in Pacific off Mexico
|
In Prison, Kilpatrick Indicted On 19 Counts Of Fraud, Tax Evasion
Study Sugggests Warm, Yet Firm Parenting Style Best Bet To Keep Kids Off Booze
High Blood Pressure Drug May Benefit Alzheimer's Patients
Witness in Philippine massacre case shot dead
|
N.Korea threatens harsher punishment for US detainee
Pakistan court jails five Americans for terrorism
Pakistan court jails five Americans for terrorism
Five killed as suicide bombers target Iraq troops and police
|
S.Lanka to block UN visits to probe war crimes
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Taiwan and China agree terms of landmark trade deal
|
Indonesia's top terror suspect behind bars
New Japan PM to make global debut at Canada summits
Pakistani court sentences Americans for terrorism
Emergency rule to be lifted in much of Thailand
Pakistan's forex reserves rise to $15.78 bln
China warns against US retaliation over yuan
India's Reliance completes new US shale gas deal
How (Not) To End An Office Romance
False-Alarm Medical Tests
Bollywood makes Osama bin Laden spoof
Twitter settles privacy charges with U.S.
|
Taiwan surprises with first rate rise after crisis
The World's Most Beautiful Sunsets
Tech companies seeking business in Syria
|
Pakistan stocks see another dull day, index inches up
Sri Lanka soldiers adapt to post-war pastimes
Gameworld: Video gamers can now play for more than high scores
|
Bulgaria strives to end plight of abandoned children
Asian stocks end mostly lower on poor US outlook
Nokia to use Linux for flagship N-series phones
|
Toyota boss feared having to resign over recalls
Top Five Scams in the Middle East
Taiwan, China talks set stage for trade pact
Noordin's father-in-law on trial over Jakarta bombs
S.Korea won turns down on importers, dlr short covers
Glastonbury readies for music, mud and Gorillaz
|
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