Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Afghan authorities distance themselves from CIA investigation
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 authorities distance themselves from CIA investigation
AFP - Saturday, January 2
Send
IM Story
Print
A US soldier patrols in Nuristan province in December 2009. Afghan authorities were distancing themselves from investigations into a suicide bomb attack that killed seven CIA agents, the US spy agency's biggest single loss of life in almost 30 years.
KABUL (AFP) - – Afghan authorities were distancing themselves from investigations into a suicide bomb attack that killed seven CIA agents, the US spy agency's biggest single loss of life in almost 30 years.
As questions swirled about how the attacker managed to penetrate security at the base in Khost province near the Pakistani border, the Afghan defence ministry again denied reports that any ministry personnel were involved.
The government had no comment and a spokesman for President Hamid Karzai said there would be no official involvement in any investigation.
The CIA agents were killed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber breached the forward operating base (FOB) Camp Chapman and detonated an explosives-filled vest in a basement gymnasium.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
Zahir Azimi, defence ministry spokesman, again denied reports that the bomber was an ANA officer or posed as one.
"This is the Taliban talking and nothing the Taliban says should be believed," he said.
The CIA uses FOBs to collect intelligence and conduct direct drone attacks along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, said a Western diplomat, who referred to the activities as "CIA black ops".
"It should come as no surprise that the Afghan government wants nothing to do with this," he said, on condition of anonymity.
"Karzai is not interested in the security of these places. He has zero control over the FOBs that are located along the border. As far as the Afghan state is concerned it's a black hole and whatever happens is the CIA's lookout."
The CIA lowered the flag to half-mast at its tightly guarded headquarters in the Washington suburbs, but did not release the names of the casualties, who died cloaked in the same anonymity in which they lived.
"Your triumphs and even your names may be unknown to your fellow Americans, but your service is deeply appreciated," President Barack Obama wrote in a letter to CIA employees.
Obama said that since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, "the CIA has been tested as never before."
"Because of your service, plots have been disrupted, American lives have been saved and our allies and partners have been more secure," Obama said.
While more than 500 US and coalition forces have died in Afghanistan this year, Wednesday's suicide attack showed a new level of sophistication for the Taliban, infiltrating the agency in charge of finding them.
The New York Times said CIA officers at the base recently had begun an aggressive campaign against a militant group run by Sirajuddin Haqqani.
Citing current and former intelligence officials, it said the early indications were that the bomber was brought onto the base as a possible informer and might not have been subjected to rigorous screening.
By all accounts, it was a devastating blow for the spy agency, the deadliest since a 1983 US embassy bombing in Beirut that killed eight CIA officers and decimated the agency's operations there.
This one took the lives of war-hardened operators who will be difficult to replace, and could undermine confidence at a time when the agency faces rising dangers in the field.
US press reports said the seven dead included the base chief, a mother of three. Six others were wounded, their lives saved by US military doctors and nurses, CIA director Leon Panetta said.
The attack comes as the United States increasingly relies on the CIA and other covert forces to pursue strategic goals.
Recently -- and controversially -- the CIA has been operating unmanned drones that target extremists in lawless areas of Pakistan.
Intelligence operatives are seen as crucial in laying out the groundwork as Obama and NATO allies send in another 36,800 troops as part of a surge expected to last until late 2010.
Suspected Taliban, meanwhile, have kidnapped two French journalists working for France's public television broadcaster and three Afghan companions.
Gunmen snatched the group as they were traveling around 60 kilometres (38 miles) from the Afghan capital on Wednesday, a French journalist working with them told AFP.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Law enforcement deaths for 2009 reach 125 AP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago
Mudslide kills 10 people in Brazilian resort city AP - 1 hour 11 minutes ago
Thousands line up for Pasadena's Rose Parade AP - 1 hour 13 minutes ago
Italian opts for jail over New Year with relatives Reuters - 1 hour 25 minutes ago
Man arrested in shooting death of Iowa City woman AP - 50 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Iran's Mousavi ready to die for opposition cause
Deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
Soviet-era Lithuanian nuclear plant shuts down under EU deal
Wall Street ends recovery year on weak note
London, Paris stocks finish 2009 with big gains
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Japan Airlines 'may stop international flights'
Oil prices rise on last day of 2009
UK honours F1 king, Status Quo stars, but bankers out
Van der Sar granted leave after wife collapses
Wall Street ends recovery year on weak note
More Most Viewed »
Tiger's wife Elin seeking divorce: reports
British priest defends urging people to shoplift
Century-old butter found in Scott's Antarctic hut
Brazilian confesses to sticking needles into two-year-old
Plastics component affects intestine: 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
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 Friday, 1 January 2010 Briton freed from Iraqi captivity to go home soon
Finnish mall rampage gunman kills five: police
US-TECH Summary
London, Paris stocks finish 2009 with big gains
Technology not as advanced by 2010 as some had hoped
Iranian authorities demand halt to protests
Iranian authorities vow no mercy to opponents
|
UK honours F1 king, Status Quo stars, but bankers out
Police Chief Sentenced To Jail For The Home Break-In Of SJP And Matthew Broderick's Surrogate Mother
Poland seeks Swedish help in Auschwitz theft probe
Kabul demands foreign 'killers' handed over
Security jitters as world rings in New Year
Activists in Gaza and Israel protest Gaza blockade
Joe Francis To Sue Gawker For Calling Him A Rapist
Israel's Netanyahu proposes Egypt peace summit
|
Oil prices rise on last day of 2009
British DJ Fired From Radio Show After Cutting The Queen's "Bor-ring" Speech
"Popular" Actress Carly Pope Injured In Vancouver Carjacking
Bennifer Named Worst Couple Of The Decade
Susan Boyle Spends Fifth Week At #1 On Billboard 200 Albums Chart
Roman Polanski Suing Paparazzi For Privacy Invasion
Yemen Shi'ite rebels ready for talks with Saudi
|
"Poltergeist" Actress Zelda Rubinstein Taken Off Of Life Support
Paris Hilton's Footwear Line Sued By Shoe Company
Dissident, 82, detained at Moscow rally
|
Daughter Accuses Blackstreet's Teddy Riley Of Physical Abuse
Guinea seen stagnant as leader health question drag
|
Suspected US missile kills 3 in Pakistan
U.N. to pull some staff from Pakistan over security
Yemen: Visa of Nigerian would-be-bomber expired
Highway 1: prime Taliban target
Pakistan to seek terror charges against Americans
Analysis: 2009 transformed US racial dynamics
Rush Limbaugh felt pains similar to heart attack
Police to seek terror charges against Americans
Vegas hospital sued by another pregnant woman
AP NewsAlert
Obama awaits intelligence reports on foiled attack
AP sources: CIA base chief killed in attack
Sydney celebrates New Year with fireworks show
Pakistan seeks terrorism charges against Americans
CIA: 7 employees killed in Afghan attack
1 dead, many injured in Filipino New Year revelry
Stocks fall moderately as investors close out 2009
NH gay couples to start New Year with wedding vows
NY-to-Paris flight diverted to Maine
Rusal seeks to raise $2.6 billion in Hong Kong IPO
Pakistan security casts pall over stocks rise
Pakistan targets 430 bln rupees in T-bill auctions
Pilot, passenger killed in Indonesia plane crash
S.Korea assembly passes 2010 budget at last minute
AT&T Ends Sponsorship With Woods Over Scandal
Bali warns of New Year terror threat: embassies
U.S. To Help In Filipino Maritime Accident Prevention Drills
Irish radio says Van Morrison denies baby report
|
U.S. Embassy In Indonesia Warns Of Bali Attack On New Year's Day
Time Warner Cable, Fox at impasse; blackout looms
|
Teddy Bear Not A Bomb
U.S. Unemployment Claims Drop Twice In Two Weeks
Theater owners name Sandra Bullock 2009's top star
|
Convicted Murderer Assaults Lawyer After Guilty Verdict
Off-Duty Officer Accuses NYPD Of Racial Profiling
Edgar Degas artwork stolen from French museum
|
Producers say 'Finian's Rainbow' to close Jan. 17
Military F-15s Escort Stolen Plane To Airport In Florida Everglades
Rush Limbaugh felt pains similar to heart attack
Degas painting stolen from French museum
Celebrities are frequent targets of extortion
Movie director Jackson named a New Zealand knight
Iraq civilian death toll down to 4,500 in 09-study
Soviet-era Lithuanian nuclear plant shuts down under EU deal
Deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
U.S. drone attack in Pakistan kills three militants
|
Teenager arrested in West Bank mosque blaze
Economy, scandals, politics mar Sarkozy's year
Bus accident kills 18 in Bangladesh
|
Sarkozy defends economic record at New Year
Wall Street ends recovery year on weak note
Pakistan's Karachi shuts to protest violence
|
North Korea says wants end to hostile U.S. ties
|
Nigerian VP says hopes Yar'Adua will return soon
|
Britain, Iran downplay Tehran link to Iraq hostages
Obama summons intel chiefs for security talks
|
UK reviews security, screening after Detroit attack
|
Iraq civilian death toll down to 4,500 in '09: study
|
US grapples with complexity of Afghan drug problem
Intel: Alleged US missile kills 3 in NW Pakistan
US missiles kills three militants in Pakistan: officials
Revelers' cheers mark new decade in Times Square
World rings in new decade with parties, security fears
NH gays celebrate new law with Statehouse weddings
White House defends TSA nominee
U.S. drone attack in Pakistan kills three militants
Taiwan leader vows not to seek independence
Judge dismisses charges against Blackwater defendants
China battery maker shut down over lead pollution
CSKA Moscow signs VVV Venlo's Honda
Obama wishes US a happy New Year
China explosives maker sentenced to die
Seattle delays naming park after Italian city
NKorea calls for end of hostile relations with US
Pulitzer-prize winner William Tuohy dies at 83
AP-GfK Poll: Americans hope for best in 2010
Shaolin temple will not go public: state media
World stocks rebound in 2009 but 2010 uncertain
Fox, Time Warner Cable ink temp deal to avoid blackout
|
GM India chief says China partnership start of Asia thrust
Toyota's hybrid Prius faces US probe over brakes
S.Korea Dec exports per working day up from Nov
A Minute With: Bryce Dallas Howard in Teardrop
|
South Korea Dec exports up far more than expected
S.Korea ruling party pushes budget through
Vietnam says growth 5.32 pct in 2009
Fox grants 'brief extension' in cable dispute
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
A Minute With: Bryce Dallas Howard in "Teardrop"
Van Morrison: Birth report 'utter fiction'
Cutoff deadline looms in Fox, Time Warner Cable dispute
Spider-Man joins Disney as Marvel acquisition approved
Singer Van Morrison denies baby report
Radio's Rush Limbaugh has tests after chest pains
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST-SELLERS
USA TODAY BEST-SELLERS
Up to 25 dead in Pakistan volleyball game blast
|
Iran's Mousavi ready to die for opposition cause
Afghan authorities distance themselves from CIA investigation
Five dead, 13 injured in French apartment blaze: police
Opposition head Mousavi: Iran in serious crisis
|
2005 Air France accident victims get $11.4 mln damages
Iran's opposition leader defiant after new threats
Thousands in new year Hong Kong march for democracy
|
UK's Brown calls London meeting on Yemen
|
Iran's Mousavi ready to die for opposition cause
Iraq regrets Blackwater case dismissal, may sue
|
For CIA, Afghan attack a historic blow
Pope urges lifestyle changes to save environment
|
Briton Moore spent part of captivity in Iran: U.S.
|
Yemeni forces clash with Shi'ite rebels, kill 11
|
Iraq PM faces wiser competition in national vote
|
Italian opts for jail over New Year with relatives
|
Thousands march in Hong Kong for democracy
Japan prime minister vows to fix economy in 2010
Thousands in New Year Hong Kong march for democracy
Judge cites gov't missteps, tosses Blackwater case
Bitter news for Malaysians as sugar prices hiked
Fox grants 'brief extension' in cable dispute
Intel: Alleged US missile kills 3 in NW Pakistan
GPS-led travel goes amiss; 3 Ore. parties rescued
China nabs 5,400 people for online porn in 2009
The nation's weather
NYC mayor to give inauguration speech for 3rd term
NKorea calls for end of hostile relations with US
22 NKoreans abandon troubled ship in Philippines
Thousands line up for Pasadena's Rose Parade
Shanghai dairy shut over tainted milk products
Farmers hope 'grown in Wisconsin' sells in China
Farmers hope 'grown in Wisconsin' sells in China
S.Korea's Lee warns against unwinding stimulus too early
Pakistan aims to raise 30 bln rupees in bond auctions
Survey shows China manufacturing expanding
China's manufacturing activity expands in December
Russia imposes minimum vodka price
Thousands line up for Pasadena's Rose Parade
Pakistani stock market shut on security worries
Dubai to open world's tallest building
Bloomberg Set To Take Third Oath As New York Mayor
Medvedev, Putin dance new year cartoon duet
After Deadly Attack On CIA Base, Obama Lauds "Shadow" Patriots
Tight Airport Security In Canada For U.S.-Bound Flights May Last Until Jan. 4
Annual Report From Chief Justice In Line With Economic Downturn
Judge Dismisses Charges Against Blackwater Guards
Obama Taking Stock Of Homeland Security Situation
U.S. Officials To Meet International Airport Leaders For Security Reviews
U.S. Plans New Anti-Drug Operation in Mexico
Brooklyn Apartment Fire Kills Octogenarian Woman
South Dakota Police Searching For Woman Who Attacked Parents
Lake Superior State University Annual Banished Words List Includes 'Tweet' And 'Teachable Moment'
Teddy Bear Not A Bomb
Convicted Murderer Assaults Lawyer After Guilty Verdict
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