InfoAnda - Kabul meeting to lay ground for 2014 deadline

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

Homeland in, Boardwalk Empire out in PGA TV nominations | | 29 November 2012
Afghanistan in focus for top U.N. diplomats | | 22 June 2010
Sony to open new chapter in Spider-Man saga | | 13 January 2010

NKorea sets June 4 trial date for US journalists | 15 May 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Kabul meeting to lay ground for 2014 deadline

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 Kabul meeting to lay ground for 2014 deadline By ROBERT H. REID,Associated Press Writer - Tuesday, July 20 Send IM Story Print KABUL, Afghanistan – The strategy sits for now on a table in a locked-down Afghan capital: Hand over security in all 34 provinces to the government by the end of 2014 _ more than three years after President Barack Obama's date for the start of an American troop drawdown. By Tuesday, it will be adopted at a one-day international conference, giving war-weary Americans and Europeans a date for when their involvement in Afghanistan may begin to come to an end. It will also give President Hamid Karzai a chance to show whether his struggling government is making progress toward running the country. The conference comes at a time of growing anxiety in the U.S. and Europe about the course of the war _ concerns underscored by Taliban attacks on Monday that killed six Afghan police and two American soldiers. A major security operation virtually shut down Kabul for the conference in which some 60 nations will focus on the postwar transition. The country's intelligence agency arrested a number of insurgents Monday night who were camped out at a house in Kabul and presumably planning an attack on the city, said a police official who spoke anonymously because he was not authorized to comment on intelligence agency operations. Officials with the intelligence agency declined to comment, saying they would make a formal statement in coming days. Afghan officials want the U.S. and other international donors to give them a greater say in spending the billions of dollars in aid and reconstruction funds that have flowed into the country since the war began in 2001 _ often with only limited results and amid allegations of corruption and mismanagement that have bolstered the Taliban in the eyes of many ordinary Afghans. Talk of lofty development goals will take place against the backdrop of rising casualties, especially in the Taliban strongholds of the south and east. Mindful that public patience is running out, the delegates will endorse the goal of gradually turning over security to Afghan forces by the time Karzai leaves office at the end of 2014, according to a draft communique obtained by The Associated Press. The Afghan government and the international community are expected to agree on a plan to decide which of the 34 provinces would be ready for Afghan control and when. The communique however makes no mention of international troop levels during the transition period. If NATO follows the model used in Iraq, the coalition will likely keep substantial numbers of troops in Afghanistan through much of the transition to help train Afghan forces and to intervene if the Afghans cannot control security and prevent the Taliban from mounting a comeback in provinces cleared of major insurgent forces. Although Obama said in December that U.S. troops would begin coming home in July 2011, he did not say how many troops would leave then. Critics complained that the date signaled to the Taliban that all they had to do was hold out until the Americans and their allies were gone. Vice President Joe Biden told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday that the number of U.S. troops leaving Afghanistan "could be as few as a couple of thousand," but was once quoted as saying next July's drawdown would mean "a lot of people moving out." In London, a senior British diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because final details of the communique have not yet been finalized, said the conference would likely agree that the process of handing over control to Afghan forces would begin early next year. The diplomat said a NATO conference in Lisbon in October would decide which areas would be handed over immediately. A conference working paper on security says that during the transition, NATO troops may "remain in the lead in specific districts" of provinces nominally under Afghan control. Ahead of the conference, representatives of Britain and Afghanistan's neighbor, Pakistan, said some troops may have to remain past 2014 to help train Afghan forces. "We recognize that there'll be further work to do in terms of training and improving the quality of those forces beyond that, which is why we've said that training forces may be available after that date but we have made it very clear that that will not be combat forces," British Defense Secretary Liam Fox told the BBC on Sunday. Speaking to reporters, Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, expressed skepticism that the Afghans will be ready to take over security by 2014, saying "in my personal assessment, it might take longer." "But again it depends on how quickly they are able to train their armed forces, their civilian law enforcement agencies, to take on the responsibility of security and protection of the ordinary Afghan citizen," said Qureshi, whose government has longtime ties to insurgents. He said Pakistan was ready to help the Afghans achieve stability "because we feel that a stable, peaceful, prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan's interest." Underscoring the security challenge, bombs killed six Afghan policemen in the biggest southern city of Kandahar and two American troops in the south, Afghan and U.S. officials said. The American deaths brought to 42 the number of U.S. troops killed in Afghanistan this month. To demonstrate their commitment to good governance, Afghan officials have been working feverishly in recent weeks to prepare action plans with benchmarks for agriculture, reintegrating insurgents back into society and economic and social development. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is leading the U.S. delegation, told reporters the Kabul conference "is going to show more Afghan ownership and leadership, which is something we've been pushing." She said the U.S. is "pressing the Afghan government at all levels to be more accountable, to go after corruption," but that the U.S. also had a responsibility to improve management of its programs. The Afghans have long complained that the U.S. and other donors have squandered aid money through hiring overpriced international contractors and pursuing development projects that the country does not need or cannot afford to maintain. Since the 2001 U.S.-led invasion that toppled the Taliban, 77 percent of the $29 billion in international aid spent in Afghanistan has been disbursed on projects with little or no input from Afghan government officials, according to the Afghan Ministry of Finance's 2009 donor financial review. At a January meeting in London, donor nations agreed to have half of development aid delivered through the Afghan government to 50 percent in two years. On Tuesday, Karzai will ask the international community to restate this commitment and to align at least 80 percent of development and governance assistance over the next two years to a list of more than 20 national priority programs being introduced at the conference. In return, Karzai's government will promise to improve its financial management system, improve collection of taxes and customs revenues and fight corruption. __ Associated Press writers Deb Riechmann and Matthew Lee in Kabul and Mirwais Khan in Kandahar contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Karzai assures conference on Afghan leadership AFP - 15 minutes ago Six Turkish soldiers killed in Kurdish rebel attack AFP - 16 minutes ago Navy exercises to send 'signal' to N.Korea: Gates AFP - 54 minutes ago UK-World Summary Reuters - 56 minutes ago Eviction starts of British parliament protest camp AFP - 1 hour 39 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Google renewal reflects legal compliance: China Major step towards anti-HIV vaginal gel Peruvian detained in Mexico with 18 hidden monkeys Boeing, Airbus win orders worth over 23 billion dollars BP signs major offshore gas deal with Egypt More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag Major step towards anti-HIV vaginal gel Boeing, Airbus win orders worth over 23 billion dollars World pays tribute to Mandela at 92 Philips reports six-fold rise in profits More Most Viewed » Reclusive top mathematician turns down prize, again Paris Hilton caught with cannabis in handbag Germany's 'Octopus oracle' keeps perfect record Who's right - the dolphin or the octopus? 3 Russian spy suspects due in US court 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, 20 July 2010
Clinton meets Afghan president ahead of conference
Boeing, Airbus win orders worth over 23 billion dollars
Qaeda's Zawahri mocks Obama, slams Arab leaders: web |
New Israeli rocket shield passes final test -ministry
German abandons son on highway to 'teach him lesson'
Turkish court indicts 196 over suspected coup plot
US-TECH Summary
Major step seen in quest for anti-HIV vaginal gel
Hillary Clinton arrives in Kabul
Germany investigates report of bank aiding Iran |
Baidu promotes fake drug sites-Chinese TV station
BP signs major offshore gas deal with Egypt
Allawi, Sadr hold talks on forming Iraqi govt
Iran calls for world body free of big power control
Blackberry rejects Apple's signal loss claim
New Israeli rocket shield passes final test: ministry |
Corrected
Nokia Siemens buys 1.2 billion dollars of Motorola assets
Former U.S. resident jailed for Srebrenica massacre |
Attack on British security firm in Iraq kills 4
Nuance plans voice-activated iPhone apps for UK
U.S. sends Guantanamo detainees to Algeria, Cape Verde |
Clinton in Afghanistan to refine war aims
Jobs' offer of free iPhone cases eases PR woes: analysts
Gay-lesbian group overcomes opposition at U.N. |
Apple expands iPad sales to 9 more countries
iPad to go on sale in nine more countries
US-TECH Summary
China rushes to clean up oil spill
Nokia Siemens buys 1.2 billion dollars of Motorola assets
Girls take lead on TV but not in Hollywood films
U.S. troops to arrive at U.S.-Mexico border August 1
U.S. defence chief in Seoul for talks on North Korea
Australia, Britain bury WWI soldier in France
American charged with murdering Thai bar hostess
FIFA inspectors in Japan to check World Cup bid
Zsa Zsa Gabor out of hip replacement surgery
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Spanish channel announces 'world's first 3-D TV series'
Oscar speculation underway for "Inception"
Alleged Tiger Woods mistress to enter "Celebrity Rehab"
Harry Potter star lands gothic thriller role
In Gabon, papyrus plants imprison communities
Girls take lead on TV but not in Hollywood films
Teenage singer Charice gets Botox for 'Glee' debut
India's poor need to join the banking mainstream: minister
India happy with 8.5 percent growth even if IMF more bullish
The Internet can make or break a brand in China: report
India's Reliance comm shares jump on reported deal
Nissan resumes production at four domestic plants
Alleged Tiger Woods mistress to enter Celebrity Rehab |
Girls take lead on TV but not in Hollywood films |
Zsa Zsa Gabor out of hip replacement surgery |
Karzai assures conference on Afghan leadership
Eviction starts of British parliament protest camp
Afghans seek control of security by 2014 |
Landmark international conference opens in Kabul
White House awaits British PM Cameron
Migrants workers collateral damage of UAE slump
US court grants bail to Conrad Black
Thai goverment lifts emergency in more provinces |
Clinton: US, world stand with Afghanistan
Karzai calls for more control of funds, security
U.S. reviewing more sanctions on North Korea: South |
Google renewal reflects legal compliance: China
Clinton to Afghan women: You will not be forgotten
Death comes from far away in Afghan valley |
Kabul meeting to lay ground for 2014 deadline
Peruvian detained in Mexico with 18 hidden monkeys
Libya's Gaddafi says will rein in Sudanese rebel
Migrants workers collateral damage of UAE slump |
Sharp says to enter e-reader market
LCD makers brace for softer H2 as TV growth weakens
Thailand lifts emergency rule in three provinces
Industrywide digital locker beta to launch in fall
China rejects world's number one energy user title
Blame-game over deadly India train crash
Samsung dismisses Apple's claims on smartphones
Warned on future, nations look at clean energy
China satisfied with Google search engine tweaks |
U.S. said to toughen up broadband deployment report
Lindsay Lohan a 'fidgety mess' hours before jail
Industrywide digital locker beta to launch in fall |
Facebook, small firm square off over patent claims
Amazon says price cuts bolstering Kindle sales |
U.S. said to toughen up broadband deployment report |
Egypt play seeks to smash social taboos
Sharp says to enter e-reader market |
LCD makers brace for softer H2 as TV growth weakens |
Abu Dhabi lures tourists with Ferrari theme park
Virus targets Siemens industrial control systems |
Lindsay Lohan a 'fidgety mess' hours before jail
Ex-"Jersey Boys" countersue Valli over rival tour
"Jersey Shore" cast near deal for hefty raise
Virus targets Siemens industrial control systems
IBM profit up nine percent, revenue falls short
Samsung dismisses Apple's claims on smartphones
Moody's gives Motorola positive outlook after Nokia deal
US-TECH Summary
Jerry Bruckheimer strikes out again with Cage flop |
Jersey Shore cast near deal for hefty raise |
"Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe takes on "Woman in Black"
Oscar speculation underway for Inception |
Ex-Jersey Boys countersue Valli over rival tour |
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe takes on Woman in Black |
Study finds MTV AIDS project changes HIV attitudes |
Seoul shares rise on earnings hope;Hyundai Motor up
John Edwards film may unearth new details on scandal |
N.Korea ex-spy in Japan to meet abductee families
Lost star Matthew Fox saddles up for country life |
ASEAN meets in shadow of Korea tensions
British PM agrees to see US senators on Lockerbie
Five militants killed in botched Pakistan attack
Van der Sloot showing 'psychopathic tendencies'
Australia PM pledges close ties with Asia
Thai government lifts emergency in more provinces
Glimmer of hope in China's 'brain drain' battle
Gates: navy exercises to send 'signal' to N.Korea
China: Google renewal reflects legal compliance
FACTBOX-Top S.Korea banks eye Asian markets for 2010 funding
PAKISTAN
S.Korea POSCO plans $412 mln bond issue
Russia complains to Washington over arrest
Study finds MTV AIDS project changes HIV attitudes
Asia travel surge boosts airplane-makers' fortunes
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
South Korea 3-yr bond yield approaches 2-wk low
Seoul shares open lower; techs retreat
Official: China's slowdown helping restructuring
China expands yuan banking in Hong Kong
Bashir to visit Chad despite arrest warrant
French footballers quizzed in under-age sex probe
Another Foxconn worker falls to death: report
Rebels killed, rocket attack pre-Kabul conference
Parachuting donkey shocks Russian beachgoers
Sharp to join e-reader business war
Goldman Sachs profits fall 82 percent
EU ministers to approve tighter sanctions on Iran |
Australian laser system to track space junk
HIV gel breakthrough lifts mood at AIDS conference
EU ministers to approve tighter sanctions on Iran
Honda aims for electric cars, plug-in hybrids by 2012
What This Chinese Hacker Could Teach Apple
Kurdish rebels kill six Turkish soldiers in clash
Apps That Change The World
Cambodian police abuse sex workers: rights group |
Renegade Afghan soldier kills 3 in training camp |
The World's Most Expensive Bicycles
Serbia and Kosovo's EU future clouded as court rules |
Karzai reaffirms 2014 goal for Afghan-led security
UK swamped with threats after wars: ex-spy chief |
Karzai reaffirms 2014 date for Afghan-led security
Kurdish rebels kill seven Turkish soldiers |
Nine Technologies To Ease Pain Of Getting Old
Celebrities: Macs Vs. PCs
Honda China supplier gets tough on striking workers |
Celebrities Who Love The iPad
Mogadishu fighting kills 52 civilians in a week: group |
Twitter ban as French lawmakers debate pension bill |
Worker at Foxconn affiliate falls to death in China
Taiwan leader vows to fight corruption
Indian diplomat charged with spying for Pakistan
Hotels With The Most Beautiful Views
Inside New York City's Fishy Black Market
N.Korea FM to attend Asian security forum
Behind The Booze Brands
U.S. aid can lessen, but not remove Pakistan mistrust
China floods cut Yangtze shipping
Billionaire Playgrounds 2010
US-S.Korea war games sends 'message' to N.Korea
Celebrities Who Make Music
U.S. and South Korea to hold navy drills against North
The 10 Richest Presidents
Another Foxconn worker falls to death: report |
What This Chinese Hacker Could Teach Apple
The World's Happiest Countries
Pakistani stocks up; rupee, o/n rates flat
Google to use wind energy to power data centers |
Nokia jumps on hope of CEO Kallasvuo exit |
Honda aims for electric cars by 2012
China says exports to slow in second half
Luxury Clothes For Kids
BP plans to divest its E&P operations in Pakistan
Vegas' Perfect Poolside Dining
China lifts spirits on Asian markets
Notebooks 'able to hold off iPads in Asia-Pacific'
LG Chem says considers battery plants in China, Europe
Toyota gets second US grand jury subpoena: company
Strike at Honda parts plant in China drags on
Lindsay Lohan lawyer quits on eve of jail term |
Sam Raimi lassoes Wyatt Earp for sci-fi film |
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	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01