Page 2 | NATIONAL Whose Peace in Afghanistan? Page 3 | ECONOMY Biden Aims for At this moment, with developments quickening as the May 1 deadline Wolesi Jirga Warn of the Impossible in for the departure of U.S. forces rapidly approaches, we’re ... Serious Development Afghanistan Budget Embezzlement Page 2 | NATIONAL

Kabul Herat Nangarhar Balkh 15 / 4 24 / 9 23 / 12 18 / 10

Your Gateway to Afghanistan & the Region Tuesday, April 6, 2021 Issue No. 944 www.heartofasia.af 10 afs Narcotics Still Primary Source

11 Members of of Taliban Income: SIGAR that the Taliban continue to adapt Afghan Forces Killed and expand their ability to maintain in Helmand and generate financial revenues to support their operations. At least 11 members of the Afghan The primary sources of income National Defense and Security Forces for the Taliban remain narcotics, were killed in two separate incidents in illicit mineral and other resource the southern province of Helmand on extraction, taxation, extortion, the Sunday night, sources from security sale of commercial and government agencies said on Monday. services and property, and Two of the forces were killed in a donations from abroad, SIGAR says. car bomb attack in Nawa district in The Taliban rejected their Helmand, sources said. involvement in the drugs and Meanwhile, militants attacked a narcotics trade, but Afghan officials security forces outpost in Helmand- said the group has been involved in Kandahar highway on Sunday night the illicit business. in which nine members of Afghan The watchdog says that Afghanistan forces were killed and four more were is the world’s largest producer of wounded, sources said. opium and the source of more than Security officials have not commented 90 percent of the world’s heroin. on the two incidents. Since 2001, the United States has The attacks come amidst a sharp rise allocated more than $8 billion in violence in various parts of the to fight opium production and country. A US watchdog in a report released senior official from the Resolute to be approximately $400 million. trafficking in Afghanistan, the One security force member ... P2 last month says that 40 to 60 Support Counter Threat Finance According to SIGAR, the UN report report says. percent of the Taliban’s revenue Cell estimated that between 40 to also notes that the Taliban now Quoting US Department of Defense comes from narcotics. 60 percent of the Taliban’s revenue controls all aspects of narcotics officials, the report says that a small The US Special Inspector General comes from narcotics trafficking.” production, which likely indicates portion of the overall US counter- for Afghanistan Reconstruction SIGAR also quoted a UN report as that their total revenues are even narcotics funding has gone to (SIGAR) in its report cites a meeting saying that Afghan officials estimate higher. counter threat finance (CTF) efforts with Resolute Support officials Taliban income from narcotics SIGAR quotes a UN Security Council directed at the Afghan terrorist in February 2018, saying that “a between June 2018 and June 2019 report from June 2019 as saying narcotics trade. Afghanistan Borrows More Than 17b Afs Bangladesh Extends Helping Iran, Uzbek FMs Meet, Discuss This Fiscal Year Hand to Afghanistan for The Afghan government has borrowed peace, progress Afghan Peace Process 17.4 billion afghanis from the Kabul: Stressing that peace is necessary for progress International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kabul: Iranian and Uzbek and development, Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Prime during the ongoing fiscal year. foreign ministers met on Minister, on Monday offered help to Afghanistan in According to Pajhwok Afghan News their efforts for development. Monday to discuss bilateral report, Afghanistan has received $1.8 Her remarks came when she met outgoing Afghan ties and cooperation between billion in loans from World Bank, Islamic ambassador Abdul Qayoom Malikzad at her official the two countries on the Development Bank, Saudi Fund, Asian residence Ganobhaban and added that peace is a Afghan peace process. Development Bank (ADB), IMF, Bulgaria, must for development. This is Iranian Foreign Italy, Kuwait Fund and OPEC Fund over PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters the past 17 years. Minister Mohammad Javad after the meeting. She said that non-government During the period, the country repaid Zarif’s first tour in the solar organizations like BRAC were working for the socio- only $300 million. year 1,400 (which began on economic development of Afghanistan. According to Finance Ministry sources, March 21) wherein he met his The Bangladesh PM that said the government has Afghanistan currently owes the Uzbek counterpart Abdulaziz involved the public so that their support can help International Community $1.5 billion. Kamilov in Tashkent for establish peace. Budget deficit led to fresh borrowing: regional cooperation in Mohammad Rafi Taab, a spokesman Central Asia. influence of the Islamic groups of the parliaments of for the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Cooperation on peace in Republic of Iran, Kamilov the two countries, and use of acknowledged to Pajhwok that the Afghanistan and bilateral stressed on the expansion Iran’s port capacities along Afghan government had taken loan this relations in the field of cooperation of the two the Persian Gulf and the Sea year due to a budget deficit. He added: “The MoF had projected a transportation, transit and countries in various fields, of Oman. budget deficit of 17.4 billion afghanis energy, culture and tourism including cooperation in legal Iranian foreign minister is in 1400 solar year, and the ministry were discussed. and international forums, also scheduled to meet Uzbek has borrowed it from the International Emphasizing the regional parliamentary cooperation President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Monetary Fund (IMF).” ... P3 position and international between the friendship on Monday afternoon. April 6, 2021 Heart of Asia NATIONAL TUESDAY 2 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost China FM... By HAFED AL-GHWELL and abide by market rules, and refrain from setting obstacles, abusing power, and depriving others of their legitimate Biden Aims for the Impossible right to development, Wang said, adding that if there is still confrontation, China will deal with it calmly and face it in Afghanistan fearlessly. A cursory examination of the emerging US policy on “We resolutely resist gross Afghanistan would probably conclude that the strategy interference in China’s internal to end a two decade-old, mostly fruitless, military affairs, and more resolutely intervention is ill-conceived and mistimed. That oppose unlawful unilateral view has substantial support even among the ranks sanctions imposed on the basis of Washington’s dovish cohort, which is not keen on of lies and false information,” striking a deal with the Taliban given its track record as Wang said. a fundamentalist, autocratic Islamist movement with He said China will not no inclinations toward democracy, human rights or compromise or retreat, as it personal liberty — along with its support for Al-Qaeda sticks to the basic norms of and ties to 9/11. international relations and However, the overall aim of the Biden plan is to stands for the interests of attempt the unprecedented, ending the US-led many developing, small and coalition’s Afghanistan mission by trying to establish medium-sized countries. a democratic, stable and self-sustaining long-term China definitely has the right settlement. Its current iteration involves reviving a to fight back since it must stalled peace process using a multilateral approach defend national sovereignty via forceful regional diplomacy, as well as pressuring reorganizes itself ahead of intra-Afghan talks reignited the original 50-50 power-sharing deal, but is forced to and national dignity. the Kabul government led by President Ashraf Ghani by the White House peace initiative and the UN-led compete for it politically at local, regional and national “Dialogue is better than to support the process and the Taliban to de-escalate peace process to come out of it. Whether the peace levels. However, this will have to come after the White confrontation, and its attacks. process succeeds or not, Islamabad will not risk losing House addresses numerous concerns raised after cooperation is better than Attempts at establishing a centralized, democratic- its leverage with a stronger Taliban, especially when details of its proposed peace initiative were leaked confrontation,” Wang said, leaning government have failed just as much as the it became embedded in the proposed power-sharing — probably a deliberate move to gauge stakeholder urging the U.S. to actively Taliban’s unfettered illiberalism. By making a play government, since it will be a highly effective proxy attitudes ahead of the intra-Afghan meeting in Turkey respond to the expectations for a decentralized government, the White House is for Pakistan to continue exerting undue influence in this month. of regional countries and the investing diplomatic and political capital in a shaky Afghan affairs. For instance, while the NATO ministerial meeting in international community, power-sharing arrangement between two entities that The conflict of interests among regional players — Brussels last month focused on revitalizing the alliance work with China to show what deny each other’s legitimacy. and there are many — is not the only worry for what and establishing a “unity of purpose” against Russia a major power should be like, An abrupt departure risks new instability and conflict, the White House plans to achieve in the run-up to the on the Eurasian continent and China in the Indo- and jointly maintain regional endangering the strategic or security interests of May deadline for coalition troops to withdraw from Pacific region, European members are still not sold and world peace, stability and neighboring states such as Pakistan, India and even Afghanistan. Even in Washington, the administration on the Biden plan. Additionally, the EU worries that development. China. Afghanistan’s proximity to the Uighur Muslims appears divided between political appointees, wary of if the May 1 deadline is not met, Washington has still of Xinjiang, for example, makes for an exceedingly the American public’s exhaustion with “forever wars” not indicated fully what the conditions for a future wary Beijing, concerned that Taliban supremacy will ahead of 2022 legislative elections, and careerists in withdrawal will look like. 11 Members of... give aid or comfort to the separatist ideals of Uighur the military, intelligence and national security who fear However, America’s transatlantic partners all agree was killed in an explosion in militants the inevitable consequences of a premature departure. the White House’s Afghanistan proposals provide Qarabagh district north of Meanwhile, Pakistan’s alleged ties to the Taliban have However, going from the current stand-off and, for much-needed momentum in a stalled process despite the city of Kabul on Monday continuously benefited the latter in the form of havens now, stalled talks between the Ghani government and progress from a fairly well-established Doha process morning. Two explosions in the former’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the Taliban to a complete withdrawal of the US-led and planned talks in Istanbul offer a venue for coalition happened in Paghman financial and material support, and training camps — coalition after a successful handover will be impossible partners to collaborate and sync postures, increasing district in Kabul on Sunday, the perfect mix of conditions to sustain a long-term to achieve before May 1. pressure on detractors to accede. leaving four security force insurgency movement. In fact, the Quetta Shoura, It is not just the logistics of withdrawal that will For now, the White House must concentrate its efforts members dead. The Taliban the military arm that works closely with the Taliban’s result in a missed deadline, there is a laundry list of on ensuring the Istanbul talks succeed, unlike the leadership council, was for a time located in Pakistan’s determinations to be made, ranging from state security parallel meeting held in Moscow in March, without claimed responsibility for Balochistan province. to divvying up legislative, budgetary and political risking the Doha process or recreating the largely one of the incidents in Pakistan is now rumored to be urging what remains power. After all, once negotiations are complete and failed 2001 Bonn Agreement. With better planning and Paghman that included a car of the Quetta Shura to relocate to Kandahar, in signatories put pen to paper, the final terms will have clear communication on the agenda and attendees, bomb attack and shooting. southern Afghanistan, as the Taliban consolidates and to ensure the Taliban is not simply handed power, as in Washington can avoid a catastrophic setback ... P3 By JOHN CLAMP Reconciliation Council Whose Peace in Afghanistan? Reviewing Over 25 Peace At this moment, with developments witnessing a lot of jockeying for shied away from committing to the quickening as the May 1 deadline air time on U.S. and European date. They’re being told to worry Proposals for the departure of U.S. forces networks by Afghan power- about their cratering worldwide rapidly approaches, we’re getting brokers. Here’s Ahmad Massoud, influence. Senior political leaders and government a lesson in realist-style geopolitical son of the revered ‘Lion of Russia, which very publicly hosted officials are reviewing over 25 peace arm-twisting. The thing about Panshir’ Ahmad Shah Massoud, talks between Ashraf Ghani’s proposals, including that of the Afghanistan is that it’s raw, metallic telling France 24 that the people government and the Taliban in Presidential Palace, to make a unified power on the ground that counts. he represents would baulk at a Moscow a couple of weeks back, peace road map for the upcoming No fancy ideals or dirigiste policies deal that gave too much ground senses an opportunity to gain conference in Turkey. can substitute. to the Taliban, while over on Al some traction in Central Asia, even The committee that operates under the Afghans feel as if they have been Jazeera Hazara leaders, who as a though the United States’ Special High Council for National Reconciliation interrupted, a long time ago, by minority cultural grouping often Representative Zalmay Khalilzad is led by former vice president shrapnel and high explosives, get a raw deal from Kabul, talk of was also in attendance. Wan rays Mohammad Yunus Qanooni, and its fired indiscriminately at them by strengthening their militia units to of hope flickered in Moscow’s members are politicians and senior invading armies. They want to protect their villages from renewed winter for a while, but the reality government officials, including the get back to a dimly remembered Taliban attacks. on the ground keeps on intruding, national security adviser. ‘normal’. They’re sick of the Despite all the lungfuls of annoyingly for all concerned. The peace proposals have been sent rampant corruption. Women platitudes about a ‘lasting peace’, The unpalatable fact is that the by political parties to the council. The building peace – with language that want education. Health outcomes talks are stalled, and the rhetoric in Taliban, who control huge swathes 15-member committee is also reviewing hints at a transitional government, and are catastrophically appalling. All the Heart of Asia talks in Dushanbe, of Afghanistan outside Kabul, can views from 30 members of the council (3) sustaining peace, which indirectly our contacts speak of a desire to Tajikistan (under way right now) keep turning up the pressure on on the peace proposals. refers to a post-transitional government calibrate their lives, many of which reflects pretty hardened positions. all the other parties to the talks, at Analysts said the key is to find in these situation, according to sources. are in some respects ossified in India’s external affairs minister will. Seasoned observers say that proposals common ground to move the “Different views and proposals were tradition, according to their own Subrahmanyam Jaishankar the real players with the real power peace process forward. discussed in the (committee) meeting. imperatives, which are widely advocated a peace acceptable to here are the U.S.A., and the Taliban. Sources within the Presidential Palace We will make efforts to make a unified various around a country that countries outside Afghanistan, by Hamid Karzai and others speak of said that President Ghani is expected to proposal for the Turkey conference,” nonetheless abhors federalism which he meant his own, of course. their distaste of foreign influence share publically his peace proposal that the reconciliation council spokesman and has the potential, barring U.S. president Joe Biden has also in their country. But Pakistan, and calls for a three-phase plan to end the Fraidoon Khwazoon said. “We are also interference, to be cooperative. sidestepped questions about the its intelligence service the ISI, have war and achieve peace in the country. working on unifying the views.” So, in Dushanbe this week, and as deadline, saying that a decision very close ties to the Taliban and Ghani’s proposal, which has been The Jamiat-e-Islami party said there is the pace builds to possibly crucial is pending. Biden’s Secretary of they’ve been doing what they’re shared with foreign diplomats in Kabul, a need for unifying the views on peace talks in Turkey in April, we’re State Tony Blinken has also notably doing for a very long time. has three phases: (1) making peace proposals that have been sent to the or holding talks with the Taliban, (2) reconciliation council. ... P3 April 6, 2021 Heart of Asia ECONOMY TUESDAY 3 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost

Wolesi Jirga Warn of Serious Development Exchange Rates Budget Embezzlement 77.3 77.4 Members of the Wolesi Jirga warned over the document. on Monday that millions of dollars The estimated budget for the current 90.6 90.7 earmarked for development projects year is over 473 billion AFN (nearly in Afghanistan could be embezzled $6 billion), including 311 billion AFN and sent out of the country by ($4 billion) for the regular budget 105.4 105.5 officials after the ministry of finance and 162 billion AFN ($2 billion) for ordered that all development the development budget. 494 495 projects be put on hold. Some MPs said money is already The minister said however that it has being embezzled. 20.9 21 called for projects to be prioritized “A clear looting [of government as its dealing with a budget deficit. revenue] is underway; the budget “The Finance Ministry has told all is being looted before the eyes of 1055 1065 other ministries that no projects millions of people,” MP Ghulam can be implemented without the Husain Naseri said. approval of the (finance) ministry,” Another MP, Allah Gul Mujahed, Contact Numbers said MP Makhdom Abdullah meanwhile, stated: “We passed Mohammadi. He also said the the year 1400 budget but projects Kabul Police -119 signature of the Acting Finance for the year 1399 (2020) have been [outside Afghanistan].” has been issued [to the ministries] Minister carries no weight. postponed to the year 1400 and the The Ministry of Finance, however, to create a financial discipline and Kabul Ambulance - 112 Parliament approved the budget Acting Minister of Finance has told stated that the organization has prioritize national projects and for the new fiscal year, 1400, in the Ministry of Public Works to stop faced a budget deficit. effectively use the national budget,” Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital February following tension between working on development projects. “We have faced a deficit in the said Rafi Tabe head of Finance budget; therefore, an official letter Ministry’s media office. government and the Wolesi Jirga They may want to transfer money 0202301360

Biden Aims for... Afghanistan... as “worrying”, saying that huge to repay the loans and create Ata Turk Hospital in its grand ambitions, which may prove challenging to Without elaborating, he said concession, the purchase of programs to repay it on time. recover from given the already tight window to lay the the money had been borrowed expensive furniture, color The economist said it was 0202500312 foundations for its proposed initiatives. from international foundations for palaces, the cost of more appropriate to obtain Fortunately, the Afghan public has mostly welcomed the to meet the government useless projects, travels and loans domestically than Corona call center - 166 Biden initiative, if only to spark more dialogue on key expanses. unnecessary meetings were internationally, adding that issues, such as whether decisions by the Islamic Council He did not provide details about the reasons behind the budget getting domestic loans would will supersede those of the judiciary. Overall, the positive the interest on the loan, but deficit. help domestic banks through sentiments also stem from the fact that the Biden White said Afghanistan was obliged Saihoon said his government interest rates. House has not shied from a central role in securing a to repay the loan by June 2026. should be able to maintain its He said the budget deficit was permanent settlement in Afghanistan, as opposed to the The Afghan government has financial resources from tax not a new issue, it happened in previous administration’s “settlement at any cost” strategy. borrowed a total of 1.5 billion collection, sale of interest- the past as well. Unfortunately, a palpable sense of insecurity remains dollars from the international bearing documents, sale of “Afghanistan’s development despite a decrease in targeted violence against civilians. countries and foundations and assets and more. budget is controlled by donor And,while it is increasingly likely no coalition troops will it was easy to repay these loans, According to him, another way countries and the budget deficit exit by May 1, Afghans feel excluded from intensifying because most of them had no to solve the budget deficit is to will be addressed through diplomatic efforts, while political elites continue to reject interest, he explained. borrow from the central bank, international aid,” he explained. compromises. Kabul has also communicated its displeasure Economic analysts: even from people, but in case it He criticized the existence with the Biden plan, which could complicate the adoption of Economists say borrowing from is not possible to borrow local of corruption in various multilaterally negotiated terms by both the government and international organizations for banks, the government can areas of revenue collection, the Taliban. Already, the government is refusing to release implementation of projects is borrow from the World Bank, saying that corruption, more Taliban prisoners — claiming former detainees are not a concern but there should the international community purchase of expensive cars, returning to the battlefield, while the Taliban may escalate be transparency in all affairs. and friendly countries. unprecedented fuel costs and attacks to force the coalition’s exit and scuttle the US peace They say budget deficits are Stressing proportionality of other unnecessary expenses initiative. worrisome and unnecessary the government’s treasury and caused the budget deficit. For now, the ball remains in the Biden administration’s spending should be avoided to expenditure, Saihoon said the Mohammadi said the revenue court. Feedback from the leaked proposals will probably prevent the budget deficit in the government should manage of municipalities, customs and factor into the planning of the Istanbul meeting and crafting current and future fiscal years. its financial resource properly other sources of revenue in the more palatable terms to transform a draft proposal into SaifuddinSaihoon, who and regulate its expenditures country was being embezzled a formal strategy to corral stakeholders and elicit their teaches economics at Kabul based on its revenues, as well due to corruption, which must cooperation toward the formation of what appears to be University, told Pajhwok that as monitor revenue and prevent be curbed. a consociational democracy in Afghanistan. borrowing money for projects theft. The systematic corruption has Ultimately, there is no easy formula to comprehensively implementation was not a At the same time, Qais taken root in the government; transform Afghanistan when armed interventions are problem as many countries Mohammadi, a lecturer at a he said, adding there was no tantamount to political suicide, while a premature did so to implement their private university in Kabul and a other way to solve the problem departure will only endanger the Afghani, threaten regional programs. political analyst, said borrowing except serious legal actions. stability and risk new conflicts. Fortunately, the Afghan He said: “Probably countries from reputable countries and According to him, in order public, the region and international community support a that are unable to repay their foundations was not a problem. to reduce the budget deficit, stable, peaceful Afghanistan. The trouble, however, lies with loans are more likely being He asked the MoF to set up a addition expenses need to the Kabul political elite not keen on sharing power with an forgiven to repay.” comprehensive and systematic be reduced and economic equally uncompromising Taliban leadership, and it can only He described the budget deficit mechanism for the government activities should be boosted. be hoped the flurry of diplomatic activity and intensifying pressure will achieve the impossible as envisioned by the Biden peace initiative. WAYGAL Printing Co. Reconciliation... “The peace committee of implemented,” said Sayed the Wolesi Jirga in a meeting Ishaq Gailani, head of the “A real consensus has not been If You Can Think It, formed internally. However, yesterday (Sunday) decided National Solidarity Movement We Can ink it. a technical team is working,” to gather views of lawmakers of Afghanistan. said Ata Mohammad Noor, and write it as a text and will “Decisions have been made.

Chief Editor : M. Hamid Hamdard head of a splinter faction of send it to the government and The fact that they will decide the Jamiat-e-Islami party. “To the reconciliation council,” on Afghanistan on April 16 is Reporters: Safiullah Nasary, Shafiq Amirzay, unify views, so far 35 members parliament speaker Mir Rahman because the Taliban is putting Jawad Temori & Hameedullah Hamidi of the leadership committee of Rahmani said. pressure on Americans that the High Council for National Sources said that based on if they remain--how long will Graphic & Design: Arman Reconciliation have shared their Ghani’s proposal, the president they remain? --and this matter Phone: +93-202502100 - +93-777989696 ideas. I hope that a unified view and his deputies’ positions should be made clear,” said is achieved.” should be preserved along Tawfiq Tamas, an international Website: www.heartofasia.af “The proposal of the with government forces until affairs analyst. an election is held. The Turkey conference is Email: [email protected] National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan is ready to “The proposals that have expected to be held this month. Address: Behind Rahman Baba High School be shared with the people been made in Kabul--none Sources familiar with the matter of them emphatically called have said that two dates – April - Opposite to 3rd District, of Afghanistan and the reconciliation council,” said for a transitional or interim or 12 and 16 – are under discussion Kabul - Afghanistan Ehsan Nairo, spokesman for the another type of setup. The best by involved parties for the proposal is the US-proposed meeting that some have said Print: Waygal Printing .Co - +93 - 202512626 National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan. peace plan that should be will continue for 10 days. April 6, 2021 WORLD TUESDAY Heart of Asia 4 [email protected] fb/heart of asia twitter/@heartofasiapost China FM Urges U.S. To Respect China’s Core Interests Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister obligations as major powers. Wang Yi on Sunday urged the United States to “China is willing to respond to the expectations truly respect China’s core interests. of all parties and continue to make its own efforts Wang made the remarks in response to media to this end,” Wang said. query about China-U.S. relations after meetings Regarding the arguments of competition, with his counterparts from Singapore, Malaysia, cooperation and confrontation repeatedly put Indonesia, the Philippines and the Republic of forward by the U.S. on its relations with China, Korea in China’s Fujian Province. Wang said China’s position is consistent and clear. Citing that the foreign ministers have regarded China welcomes dialogue on the basis of equality China’s development and growth as a historical and mutual respect, Wang said, adding that China necessity, Wang said it is believed that China’s does not approve of one-upmanship in the world, development conforms to the common and does not accept that one country has the expectations and long-term interests of all final say in world affairs. countries in the region, which should not be “China welcomes cooperation if there is the need, blocked. but cooperation needs to take into account each He said the foreign ministers believed that other’s concerns and mutual benefit. It cannot facing the challenges of globalization and the go in the fashion of one side unilaterally raising post-epidemic era, China and the U.S. should conditions and making lists,” Wang said. have more dialogue and cooperation in this China will not evade competition if it is needed, region, instead of confrontation, and fulfill their but competition should be fair and just ... P2 A look at the world Iran Arrests ‘Israeli Putin to Address European Council Spy’, Others in Federal Assembly Chief Visits Libya, Touch with Foreign with annual Message Expresses Support Intelligence: Iranian on April 21 European Council President Charles Michel voiced support for Libya on Sunday as the Media North African country hopes to end years of civil war. Iran has arrested an “Israeli spy” and “The Libyan people have witnessed a a number of other people who were in historic moment with the installation contact with foreign intelligence services, of the new Presidential Council and Iranian state media reported on Monday, the appointment by the House of without giving the nationality of those Representatives of the Government of National Unity,” said Michel after his English Academy meeting in the capital Tripoli with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. American ENGLISH FILE

Russian President Vladimir Putin will address the Federal Assembly with the annual message on April 21, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the media. “The president will address the Federal Assembly with the annual message on April 21,” he said. Peskov added that the venue of the event “I wanted to come as soon as possible to would be announced later. Different convey to the Libyan people and their new arrested. options are being considered, he said. leadership a clear and strong message,” he “An Israeli spy has been arrested in Iran’s “Let us not anticipate events. I believe that added. East Azerbaijan province ... also other spies in the near future we will open accreditation “We commend your efforts to come who were in contact with several countries’ for the mass media and at the same time together in a spirit of national unity and intelligence services have been arrested announce the place where it will be held,” reconciliation,” he said. “The future of as well,” it quoted an Intelligence Ministry Peskov said. Libya is in your hands. You have a unique official as saying. He preferred to keep quiet about the opportunity to build a united, sovereign, Israeli officials did not immediately themes of the forthcoming address. stable and prosperous country.” comment on the report. “Traditionally we never disclose the content Noting that the EU stands by the Libyan Western Street of The Islamic Republic does not recognize or any of the themes that will be touched people, Michel also announced that Israel and has accused it of being behind upon in the message. We will not do this the bloc’s ambassador will return on a Kabul University Close to acts of sabotage and assassinations of now, too,” he said. permanent basis to Tripoli by the end of Dehbori Park. nuclear scientists. “As far as the indexing of pensions for April. An Iranian convicted of spying for U.S. and employed pensioners is concerned, the On Feb. 5, Libyan delegates elected Israeli intelligence was executed in 2020. government has been working actively Mohammad Menfi to head a three-member +93 (0) 789 98 9696 Iran has blamed Israel for last year’s killing on this issue. It is true that the Cabinet Presidential Council and Dbeibeh the new of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, who was seen of Ministers has sent different proposals prime minister. by Western intelligence services as the on this score to the president,” Peskov Elections in the country are set for [email protected] mastermind of a covert Iranian nuclear said when asked if the issue of pensions December. weapons programme. would be touched upon in the presidential On Monday, Michel is expected to meet Tehran has denied seeking to build a nuclear message. He added that “no decisions with Tunisian President Kais Saied and Shigal English Academy arsenal. Israel has neither confirmed nor have been made (on indexing pensions for on Tuesday with Turkish President Recep denied responsibility for the killing. working pensioners).” Tayyip Erdogan.