InfoAnda - Karzai defends removal of Afghan security chiefs

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

Gas states meet in Russia amid 'gas OPEC' fears | 23 December 2008
China PM reaches out to Muslims in Cairo speech | 8 November 2009
Iraq wants U.N. probe after Baghdad bombings | 27 October 2009

France braces for fresh pension reform protest | 16 October 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Karzai defends removal of Afghan security chiefs

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 Karzai defends removal of Afghan security chiefs By ROHAN SULLIVAN,Associated Press Writer - Tuesday, June 8 Send IM Story Print KABUL, Afghanistan – Bombs and bullets killed three NATO soldiers and an American contractor in southern Afghanistan on Monday, as President Hamid Karzai's spokesman defended his decision to remove two of the country's top security officials. The Sunday dismissals drew fire from some political figures linked to the alliance that helped the U.S. oust the Taliban in 2001 and who fear the shake-up will play into the hands of the insurgents at a critical point in the war. Senior U.S. officials, caught by surprise by Sunday's announcement, stressed that it was an internal issue for Afghanistan. The political maneuvering came as violence flared in the south, where U.S. commanders are planning a major operation in the Taliban's heartland of Kandahar. Washington hopes Kandahar will be a turning point in the nearly nine-year-old insurgency. The American contractor, who was not identified, and another person were killed when a team of three suicide bombers attacked the gates of the police training center in Kandahar, the U.S. Embassy said. Afghan officials said three police were wounded. Afghan officials said one bomber blew a hole in the outer wall, enabling the other two to rush inside. But they were killed in the gunbattle that followed. Elsewhere in the south, two NATO service members were killed in an explosion during one operation and another died in gunfire during another, the coalition said in a statement. It did not provide nationalities. The U.S. command said the service member killed by gunfire was American. As fighting rages, the Afghan government is stepping up a program of reaching out to the insurgents in hopes of ending the war. Karzai last week won endorsement from a national peace conference, or jirga, for his plans to offer incentives to lower-rung militants to lay down their arms, and to formulate an approach to Taliban leaders. Washington is skeptical talks should be opened with the Taliban until they have been weakened on the battlefield. For their part, the Taliban call Karzai a U.S. puppet and say there will be no talks while foreign troops are in Afghanistan. The two officials who resigned each had deep backgrounds as strong opponents of the Taliban. Intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh was a senior figure in the Northern Alliance that helped the U.S. oust the Taliban regime in 2001. Interior Minister Hanif Atmar served in Afghanistan's Communist-era intelligence agency and fought mujahedeen opposed to the Soviet occupation. Members of the former alliance, made up mostly of northern ethnic minorities, accused Karzai of using a feeble excuse _ the failure to stop militants firing at the jirga even though insurgents were the only casualties _ to force the pair to resign when far greater lapses have gone unpunished. "I would say it's a hasty and irrational decision by a president of Afghanistan who has deprived his own government of professional capacity to combat the insurgency," said Abdullah Abdullah, a key Northern Alliance leader and former foreign minister. "The only party that will benefit is the Taliban," Abdullah, who lost to Karzai in last year's fraud-marred presidential election, told The Associated Press. Karzai left Afghanistan on Monday to attend an international conference in Turkey, canceling a scheduled news conference. His spokesman, Waheed Omar, insisted the security lapse was the only reason for the resignations and said they were a lesson in accountability for others to learn. "This could have been national chaos, a national crisis" if the jirga attack had succeeded, Omar told reporters. "Somebody had to take responsibility for this." Sarajuddin, another influential former Northern Alliance figure who uses only one name, called that explanation a cover for Karzai's desire to get rid of two people who may question parts of his reconciliation plans, including the possible release of Taliban prisoners as a gesture of goodwill. "The resignations were just an excuse; Karzai did not want them," Sarajuddin said. "It's a political game." The decision underlined ethnic divisions within the government, as some Pashtun leaders backed Karzai's version of events. Karzai and most of the Taliban are Pashtuns, the country's largest ethnic group. "I am very happy for the removal of these people. It is a good lesson for other Afghan officials that if they are asleep, they should wake up," said Arsla Rahmani, a lawmaker who was former deputy education minister when the Taliban were in power. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking to reporters on his way to London, stepped carefully when answering questions about Saleh's and Atmar's abrupt resignations, saying it was for the Afghans to decide. "I would just hope President Karzai will appoint in the place of those who have left people of equal caliber," Gates said. U.S. officials had singled out the pair by name as examples of competent leadership in a government riven by corruption and patronage. Both Saleh and Atmar accompanied Karzai on a trip to Washington last month to patch up strained ties with Obama's administration _ a point that reinforced the surprise of Sunday's announcement. _____ Associated Press Writers Amir Shah, Rahim Faiez, Heidi Vogt and Matthew Pennington in Kabul, Mirwais Khan in Kandahar, and Anne Gearan, traveling with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles May deadliest month for Darfur since 2008: peacekeepers AFP - Tuesday, June 8 Almost 600 killed last month in Darfur: UN AFP - Tuesday, June 8 Police deport hooligans, vow to beef up World Cup security AFP - 39 minutes ago Gates Foundation pledges 1.5 billion dollars for women, kids AFP - 56 minutes ago Iran is 'special case' for UN atomic watchdog: Amano AFP - 1 hour 2 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Gates Foundation pledges 1.5 billion dollars for women, kids Euro finance chiefs 'sign' deal for bailout fund Global stocks lower as Hungary adds to debt fears Allen in shooting flurry as Celtics even the score Stampede unrelated to World Cup organisation: FIFA More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended US dollar flexes muscle as crisis stalks markets UN warns climate change could trigger 'mega-disasters' Not forgotten: Remains of US soldier sought on Vietnam hill As record sales drop, singers flock to festivals New world record for longest poker game More Most Viewed » Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star The point about pain: New study sheds light on acupuncture US team creates first 'synthetic life' Paris museum burglar grabs 120-million-dollar art haul Clashes as Israeli forces storm Gaza aid boat: Hamas TV 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 Tuesday, 8 June 2010
10 NATO soldiers killed in Afghanistan in single day
Franco-German talks abruptly postponed
Jobs unveils iPhone with video editing
Iran is 'special case' says UN atomic watchdog
Warsaw braces for flood, Slovakia and Hungary reel
US soldier arrested in WikiLeaks case
Euro finance chiefs 'sign' deal for bailout fund
Sarkozy-Merkel talks cancelled: French embassy
Iran TV shows video of scientist abducted to U.S. |
10 NATO soldiers killed on deadly Afghan day
Global stocks lower as Hungary adds to debt fears
US: 5 US troops die in eastern Afghan blast
Ten foreign troops killed in Afghanistan |
Karzai defends removal of Afghan security chiefs
Apple CEO Jobs Unveils New iPhone 4
American denied bail in Rwanda genocide case |
Nordstrom Introduces New "Eclipse" Inspired Apparel Collection
Chronic Insomnia Linked To Increased Mortality
Countrywide To Pay $108 Million Settlement
U.S Men Accused Of Trying To Join Somali Terrorists Appear In Court
"New Moon" Wins Big At The MTV Movie Awards
Heidi Klum, Seal Starring In Upcoming Reality Show
Tar Balls Begin Dotting Panhandle Beaches
Obamas Wow Audience At Ford’s Theatre In Washington, DC
Indian PM pledges to improve human rights in Kashmir
Airlines to return to profit this year: IATA
Poker player halts world record at 115 hours
Leading kabuki troupe to perform in Rome
First gay marriage celebrated in Portugal
Russian lawyer's jail death staged in shocking drama
Blonde beer turns heads in Zulu kingdom
Musical double feature for World Cup opener
S.Korean movie on East Timor to be shown at UN
Phoenician or Arab? A never-ending debate in Lebanon
As record sales drop, singers flock to festivals
Charlie Sheen to coach actors in plea deal: report |
Infants Twins Seriously Injured In Home Fox Mauling Attack
Gary Coleman's ex-wife says found him in blood pool |
Robbie Williams, Gary Barlow together on new track |
Iran says no talks on nuclear issue if sanctioned
Luxury labels step out into the virtual world
Deadliest day this year for NATO in Afghanistan
Dutchman van der Sloot confesses to Peru slaying
New Japan PM Kan unveils cabinet as election looms |
Spanish public workers strike against government cuts
2 Australian soldiers die in Afghanistan explosion
Apple unveils iPhone with video chat
Hungary government likely ditches pension fund move: report |
White House press legend quits amid Israel row
Ahmadinejad says nuclear swap deal one-time offer |
Charlie Sheen plea deal hits snag
10 foreign troops killed on deadly Afghan day
Obama wants to know 'whose ass to kick' over oil spill
Afghan troops fear life after foreign pullout |
Iran is 'special case' for UN atomic watchdog: Amano
Euro finance chiefs 'sign' deal for bailout fund
Bomb attack targets Turkish police: agency |
Foxconn confirms wage rise for Shenzhen staff |
Gates Foundation pledges 1.5 billion dollars for women, kids
12 foreign troops killed on deadly Afghan day
10 NATO troops killed on deadly Afghan day
China's Panchen Lama visits sensitive border area |
Apple unveils iPhone 4 to fend off Google |
China defends Internet 'Great Firewall'
Foxconn confirms wage rise for Shenzhen staff |
China vows no let-up to state control of Internet |
Japan's new PM unveils cabinet
Japan PM outlines new cabinet
Philippine parliament to declare Aquino president
iPhone maker Foxconn seeks price hikes to offset wages |
S.Korea detains skipper for poaching whales
Internet addicts stage uprising at China boot camp
Labour activists protest Foxconn meeting in Taiwan
Space probe enthralls Japan as it heads home
Mumbai plans 117-storey apartment block
S.Korea says not seeking sanctions on North
Two Australians killed in Afghan attack: officials
Honda hit by new strike in China
Foxconn parent suffers share slump, protests
Honda assessing impact of latest supplier strike
Strike halts Hyundai's India production
Courtier Jean-Paul Gaultier leaves Hermes
France opens its market to online gaming
South Africa's shebeens spruce up for World Cup
Senegal tackles malaria with song contest
Charlie Sheen plea deal hits snag
75 long-lost silent movies being returned to US
Demi Moore set to publish memoir in 2012 |
Shrek rules North American box office for third week
Charlie Sheen assault plea hits snag, case delayed |
Marvin Isley of Isley Brothers dies at age 56 |
Sitcom stars get serious about comedy |
MTV Movie Awards drop 13 percent in ratings |
True Blood star Moyer picks pair of pictures |
Alanis Morissette marries rapper boyfriend |
Stanley Tucci joins Captain America |
Knight and Day to open two days sooner |
Iran says no talks on nuclear issue if sanctioned
Russian soldiers charged over Polish crash theft
Van der Sloot confesses to killing Peru woman: police |
UN aid chief calls for end to Gaza blockade
Libya expels UN refugee agency
Barack's no mug: red-faced Aussies in spelling gaffe
Israeli president visits SKorea amid Gaza uproar
Sanctions against Iran agreed upon: source |
Bomb kills 2 US troops; NATO losses at 23 for June
Aquino wins Philippine presidential election
More US troops die in Afghanistan
Beijing says North Korea killed three Chinese at border |
Man Collapses During Obama Speech In Michigan
7-Foot Gator Found In Tampa Middle School Cafeteria
Iran's Ahmadinejad to visit China
Alleged rogue trader Kerviel's trial starts |
Woman Killed By Lightning Moments Before Surprise Marraige Proposal
Study: Teens Raised By Lesbians Are Well-Adjusted
Hungarian PM vows tax cuts, targets banks, FX loans |
Update: 1 Dead In Natural Gas Line Explosion In Texas
Spain unions see 75 percent public sector strike take-up |
Study: Returning Veterans Having Sleep Troubles
U.N. powers agree on blacklist for new Iran sanctions: envoy |
Analysis Concludes Health Care Bill Covers Most, Costs Less
Egypt lets Muslim Brotherhood MPs into Gaza |
Sandra Bullock To Reunite With "The Proposal" Co-Star Ryan Reynolds In New Film
Ford, Bush Era Top Official Praises Obama Policies
Several Injuries After Workers Rupture Natural Gas Pipe In Texas
Bhopal verdicts stir anger in India
'Salty' Aussie crocs go long-distance surfing
'Yes we Kan' T-shirts a boost for Japan's new PM
At least 12 dead in Bangladesh ferry accident
Big record labels seeks to freeze LimeWire assets |
Baidu aims for 79 percent share of China search market |
Dial M for muddle as Germans suffer phone foul-up |
Cambodia, Thai troops border clash: Cambodian army
Row over Thai PM's choice to head protest probe
Asian markets pick up on bargain-hunting
Asia gaming market set to overtake US
Kim's son seems certain to inherit power: analysts
Japan's Softbank soon to accept iPhone 4 orders
Unpublished works by 'Millennium' writer found
S.Korea's Samsung unveils iPhone rival
Hong Kong protesters picket Apple supplier meeting
75 long-lost silent movies being returned to US
China wage hikes boost costs but might help sales
China auto sales grow at slowest rate in 13 months
Liz Taylor work by Warhol leads Christie's art sale |
Chris Brown denied entry to Britain for tour |
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