In the Independant this Monday 30th Nov the news stated that one more soldier had died in the Helmand provance and the army were fearing defeat at home. Today Obama promised
that the US would go from 68,000 to 100,000 and the President walked round Fort Hood shaking hands with the young soldiers as these would be going out, Cape Hood which was where the medic Psychiatrist suddenly turned his gun on 10 soldiers and himself as he was expected to go to Afghanistan the next day, and it was thought that he was a muslim and the presence of the US army in Afghanistan really insenced him, the true reason we shall never know.
General Stanley McCrystal the commanding officer said that it was not going to be easy and he hoped that their stay wouldn't be too long!!
Monday 30 November 2009
Thursday 19 November 2009
Afghan equivalent of "Pop Idol"
I was horrified to hear of the death of Sheema who it was alleged had 'committed suicide' or was it a mercy killing? I don't think her sister could bring herself to say what had happened although she was able to say that they were all pleased that she had taken her own life as it made it easier for the family!! I just wonder how much pressure she was under to make a statement like that
.
.
The 98th this year
Do we we have to wait until we reach 100 of young men killed in Afghanistan, which the public are becoming insensed by, as they felt the war was never legitimate.
John Simpson and Menzies Campbell on Newsweek last night were quite disparaging about the way things were going, but they felt that still the public were behind them, but is this only the milatary families? As in Babaji again an area of Helmand province, I have heard that the Afghans find it a very disquieting area. This area is as large as Northern Ireland, and to look for suicide bombers would be a time consuming job, I saw in the Metro on the 11th that 2 TA's were still waiting for their body armour Rifleman Andrew Fentiman and Cpl Loren Marlton-Thomas both died in a bomb blast, his commanding Officer said that Fentman was one of the most irrepressable and positive junior commanders that he had met.
Amidst this milatary furore the Afghans have not lost their sense of humour and glued to ther sets to see "Zang- e- Khatar" "The Alarm Bell" a show about the Political tribulations going on in Afghanistan!! "The Daily Show" is trying to show Hamid Karzi being inaugerated today (19th) in front of foreign dignitories. The incessant bickering is too much for Karzi, it would appear that he is trying to strangle the US ambassador!
"Alarm Bell" is shown every Weds and Ahmad Fawad, a shop keeper, says it's our custom to watch it every week,
and he says "Our Goverment is weak and Alarm Bell tells the people what is going on!"
A young female MP said Politicians ignore the programme but they should pay more attention!!
John Simpson and Menzies Campbell on Newsweek last night were quite disparaging about the way things were going, but they felt that still the public were behind them, but is this only the milatary families? As in Babaji again an area of Helmand province, I have heard that the Afghans find it a very disquieting area. This area is as large as Northern Ireland, and to look for suicide bombers would be a time consuming job, I saw in the Metro on the 11th that 2 TA's were still waiting for their body armour Rifleman Andrew Fentiman and Cpl Loren Marlton-Thomas both died in a bomb blast, his commanding Officer said that Fentman was one of the most irrepressable and positive junior commanders that he had met.
Amidst this milatary furore the Afghans have not lost their sense of humour and glued to ther sets to see "Zang- e- Khatar" "The Alarm Bell" a show about the Political tribulations going on in Afghanistan!! "The Daily Show" is trying to show Hamid Karzi being inaugerated today (19th) in front of foreign dignitories. The incessant bickering is too much for Karzi, it would appear that he is trying to strangle the US ambassador!
"Alarm Bell" is shown every Weds and Ahmad Fawad, a shop keeper, says it's our custom to watch it every week,
and he says "Our Goverment is weak and Alarm Bell tells the people what is going on!"
A young female MP said Politicians ignore the programme but they should pay more attention!!
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Princess Zohra praises Nato
Our friend Princess Zohra has been speaking on the 60th anniversary of Nato. She said:
My name is Zohra Mahmoud Ghazi and Afghanistan is my homeland.
I hold no personal nor political ambition.
My contribution tonight is inspired by my grandfather, Sardar Naim Khan, (brother of Sardar Daoud Khan, the first President of Afghanistan) who’s thoughts and beliefs have motivated me through my whole life.
Being one of four daughters and a son, not once did I feel like a second class citizen to my brother. Education and aspirations for our futures were of equal importance.
Thirty years ago, Afghanistan was a functioning State evolving but the roots were cut from under us. Even in our state of chaos today, the determination of the young to be a part of the world community is thriving.
Nato’s contribution in Afghanistan can bring the stability to unify the country. This can also be achieved whilst recognising its tribal history and the ability of its women, who are resilient, proud and a valuable asset for the county’s future development.
Afghans as a whole understand good motives;
No Afghan family has escaped tragedy, and so no Afghan underestimates the importance of Nato’s commitment to long-term peace.
My name is Zohra Mahmoud Ghazi and Afghanistan is my homeland.
I hold no personal nor political ambition.
My contribution tonight is inspired by my grandfather, Sardar Naim Khan, (brother of Sardar Daoud Khan, the first President of Afghanistan) who’s thoughts and beliefs have motivated me through my whole life.
Being one of four daughters and a son, not once did I feel like a second class citizen to my brother. Education and aspirations for our futures were of equal importance.
Thirty years ago, Afghanistan was a functioning State evolving but the roots were cut from under us. Even in our state of chaos today, the determination of the young to be a part of the world community is thriving.
Nato’s contribution in Afghanistan can bring the stability to unify the country. This can also be achieved whilst recognising its tribal history and the ability of its women, who are resilient, proud and a valuable asset for the county’s future development.
Afghans as a whole understand good motives;
No Afghan family has escaped tragedy, and so no Afghan underestimates the importance of Nato’s commitment to long-term peace.
Friday 6 November 2009
Gordon Brown takes on Karzi
Gordon Brown met Karzi yesterday the 6th Nov, and said that his government was too corrupt and would loose international support if he failed to improve it's performance, this I would suggest as his brother is a major figure in the drugs trade it was suggested in a news paper this October and a position was held for him in this government, now Brown is tightening the screws and telling him to clear up the parliament. General Aminullah Amarkhail, the former head of security at Kabul airport was sacked for his succsess in arresting heroin smugglers he says you have to pay £6,000 in bribes to get a job as a chief of police any where on the border! Between 10,000 and 15,000 Afghan Police have been killed in the past 5 years 4 times more likely to be killed than their military counterparts, not surprising that recruitment is at a whole time low. Curruptiom is rife and Nadine Ghouri says in the Guardian on 7th Nov senior officers commonly pay a fee to secure promotions, the more senior the post the higher the upfront fee.
It is difficult with this scale of corruption going on what possibily can Karsi do? Abdullah Abdullah has pulled out of the run as he felt the initial election was fraudulent, does this have an echo of Iran about it and I believe an individual took on Ayatollah Kamini and with a telephone conversation.
It is difficult with this scale of corruption going on what possibily can Karsi do? Abdullah Abdullah has pulled out of the run as he felt the initial election was fraudulent, does this have an echo of Iran about it and I believe an individual took on Ayatollah Kamini and with a telephone conversation.
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