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www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10. 2016 -Sunbula 20, 1395 HS

By Mansoor Faizy ries after heavy clashes erupted wounded is because they (insur- noon (Friday) security situation when the insurgents stormed into is nothing to be worried about. However, he added that still there are between Afghan security forces gents) become under heavy air op- in Trinkot is fully normal and un- Trinkot, attacking key provincial some firings at the outskirt of the city, but as a whole Trinkot is under KABUL: The security forces have and the Taliban insurgents,” pro- erations of Afghan and foreign forc- der security forces control, he offices, including police headquar- control, where the residents can roam freely without any fear. He said given tit-for-tat response to the vincial governor spokesman Dost es”, he said. Afghan Air Forces and added. “Concerns that we had two ters and the governor house. More- that Taliban insurgents are sometimes do firings in order to keep secu- Taliban’s attack in Trinkot, the Muhammad Nayab, told Afghan- foreign forces targeted around days ago are completely re- over, Deputy Spokesman for the rity forces busy, and pave ground to take their dead bodies of their capital city of southern Uruzgan istan Times. 1,000 insurgents from air in which moved.” Ministry of Defense, Mohammad fellows. “Since Taliban insurgents are defeated in other parts of the province, security officials said on “Eight key leaders of the Taliban they forced to push back from the 13 Afghan police were killed and Radmanesh told Afghanistan country, they (Taliban) tried to attack Trinkot in order to hide their Friday. were also among the killed.” “The city while receiving huge casual- 14 others were wounded during Times security situation in failure in the battlefield, but the Afghan security forces repulsed their “At least 204 insurgents were reason that we say that 350 Tali- ties, he said. “Insurgents are in run attack, he added. Heavy clashes Trinkot is under control of the (Taliban) attack with high spirit and pushed them back from the city,” killed and 146 other received inju- ban insurgents were killed and to save their skin. Today after- erupted in the Thursday morning Afghan security forces and there he said. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

KABUL : The death of a patient loons of oxygen with each of them sir Ahmad Insaf, said the quality due to the absence of oxygen in a contained 20 to 45 liters of the of oxygen produced in Afghanistan Kabul hospital has motivated Af- matter. The oxygen produced in the was becoming better with each ghanistan to become self-sufficient factories is distributed to govern- passing day. in oxygen supplies, an official said. ment and a number of private hos- Afghanistan is self-sufficient Afghanistan, which had no ox- pitals. in non-alcoholic beverages, juices, ygen-producing facility until Maihan Dost Oxygen Produc- mineral water, plastic pipes, dis- 2003, remained reliant on imports ing Company meets 70 percent posable dishes, printing houses, from foreign countries such as Pa- requirements of the government chickens, plastic shoes, melting kistan and Iran. hospitals, Hadi added, saying the metals, packages, marbles, leather Haji HikmatullahHaideri, own- rest of 30 percent of need for the footwear, decorative paints, cloth- er of Maihan Dost Oxygen-Pro- oxygen was produced by other in- ing, salt, dairies, furniture and ducing Company, said the absence ternal factories. sweets. However, some of the of the gas was a serious problem, Dr. Wahid Majrooh, spokes- products are imported despite the- threatening the lives of many pa- man for the Ministry of Public fact they are produced in tientssome until 13 years ago. Health, said Afghanistan had Afghanistan.Traders have repeat- “Thirteen years ago, my achieved autarky in oxygen.The edly asked the government to pro- brother-in-law, who was hospital- production of quality oxygen in- vide insutriescheaper electricity, ised in Wazir Akbar Khan, was in side the country and its cheap pric- long-term loans to industrialists acute need of oxygen. We then es in the private sector had caused and force state departments to use searched and found it six hours lat- Afghanistan to stop imports, he domestic products. er. But it was too late and our pa- said. Maihan Dost Oxygen-Produc- tient had lost his life,” he said. “Oxygen is a vital need for any ing Company officials complained He told Pajhwok Afghan News human and any patientreferred to about increased power bills and after the incident he thought of the emergency section of a hospi- industrialists’ problems.The Da building an oxygen-producing fa- tal is in need of oxygen, whose Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat cility. “I was finally able to open availability can help reduce the (DABS) jacked up power tariff by it in Kabul in 2004,” the man re- mortality rate,” he added. 25 percent this year. marked Haideri did not provide According to the Ministry of DABS spokesman, Wahidul- more information about his labo- Commerce and Industry, current- lah Tawhidi, said power bills ratory, whose administrative man- ly 28 oxygen factories are active in would remain the same until the ager, Abdul Hadi, said they had Kabul, Balkh, Hearat, Nangarhar, Afghan currency’s value increased. opened branches in Hearat, Nan- Kandahar and Maidan Wardak The 25 percent tariff hike would garhar and Balkh provinces. provinces. be withdrawn when the domestic He added the factory current- Afghanistan Industrialists As- currency grew in value, he ex- ly produced more than 400 bal- sociation (AIA) deputy head, Na- plained. (Pajhwok)

The civil war in Afghanistan is rag- Afghanistan's 2.7 million ref- impossible choices they are forced ing again. After almost 40 years of ugees mostly reside in neighboring to make in emergencies -- pulling near-consecutive conflict -- from Iran and Pakistan, with hundreds their children out of school, buy- the Soviet invasion to the US-led of thousands -- possibly millions ing less nutritious food, selling the war against the Taliban for its shel- -- more residing there unregistered. little they own -- helping ease the tering of Osama bin Laden and al Hosts to Afghan refugees for unforgiving cycle of crisis and pov- Qaeda post-9/11 -- Afghanistan is decades, these two nations -- erty. It also recognizes that those once again on the international emer- which have consistently ranked as caught in crisis know what they gency watch list. top refugee-hosting countries as a need, and don't need aid agencies As we mark 15 years since that result -- are exerting increasing to tell them. tragic morning in Manhattan, it's pressure to return Afghans to their Another, and a fundamental right to ask what international ef- homeland. effective intervention, is locally- forts have achieved in Afghanistan Unsurprisingly, Afghan fami- led programming. The World and what challenges lie ahead. lies are undertaking the desperate Bank-funded National Solidarity Violence is escalating across trek towards Europe, making up a Program is such an example. the country at an alarming rate. The quarter of all arrivals in Greece -- For over a decade, the NSP has Taliban, at their strongest since the but are amongst the first to be re- empowered Afghans to identify, start of the US invasion in 2001, stricted entry into Europe as a flail- and meet, their needs by awarding are leading a renewed insurgency ing asylum and resettlement sys- small grants to a national network in Helmand, Kunduz and beyond. tem teeters under pressure. of over 30,000 locally-elected ISIS, a new foe, is securing its Today, the Afghan refugee Community Development Coun- presence and honing the gruesome population is the second-largest in cils. These Councils have been re- tactics employed in Syria and Iraq the world, a dire accolade only re- sponsible for thousands of local -- including the suicide bomb that cently surpassed by the mass development projects, implement- killed 80 in the capital, Kabul, only flight from the horrors in Syria, and ed with the help of NGOs like the a few weeks ago. the single largest protracted refu- IRC. In 2015, there were 11,000 ci- gee situation of our time. From rehabilitating roads to vilian casualties in Afghanistan -- At the time of writing, 8 mil- building new schools, these a record only set to be eclipsed lion Afghans are in need of life- projects have changed the lives of this year, as the United Nations saving humanitarian assistance, 24 million people, ushering in a new Assistance Mission confirms new lacking enough food to feed their era of trust between the govern- extremes of violence. One in four families, enough money to buy ment and its constituents across Afghanistan may soon experience than the clothes on their backs. added pressure on resources, which accounts of refugees, as well as of these casualties have been chil- clothes or medicine, safe water to the country. Widely lauded as one a serious humanitarian crisis, as They are entering a country are already stretched by some their mobile phone SIM-cards, are dren. drink, and a secure place to sleep. of the most successful communi- some 600,000 refugees are expect- wracked by violence, at the peak 221,000 internally displaced peo- being shut down. Starting in mid- Violations of international hu- It is not enough to say that ty-driven reconstruction programs ed to return by year’s end from of the annual surge in conflict, ple in Afghanistan. November, Afghans wishing to re- manitarian law continue by vari- everything depends on a political in the world, the NSP is the per- neighboring Pakistan, where they which together with the imminent Pakistan had been a safe ha- main in Pakistan are expected to ous parties to the conflict, making settlement, and that can only be fect example of the kind of strate- are facing increasing pressure, the onset of winter makes them espe- ven for hundreds of thousands of get visas. Afghanistan not only the world's hammered out locally and region- gic, cost-efficient partnership that International Organization for Mi- cially vulnerable,” the organization Afghan refugees since the 1980s, “We cannot overestimate the most dangerous setting for human- ally. Both points are true, but do is paving the way for sustainable gration warned. said. Earlier on Wednesday, the when Afghanistan was invaded by seriousness of this situation,” itarian and medical workers, but not absolve the international com- and lasting reconstruction in Af- The flow of refugees from Pa- UN appealed for an extra $150 the Soviet Union. There are about IOM Chief of Mission and Spe- perpetuating the suffering of a munity of the responsibility to ghanistan -- and is empowering kistan to Afghanistan is skyrock- million to provide shelters, food, 1.5 million registered Afghan refu- cial Envoy to Afghanistan, Lau- population that has suffered sustain hope and dignity to some Afghans to drive their own goals eting as Afghans “are fleeing in- and medicine to returning Afgha- gees living in Pakistan, and an esti- rence Hart, said this week. “The enough. Already one of the world's of the most beleaguered people in for the future. creased incidents of violence, arbi- nis for the next three months. The mated one million illegal immi- situation is dire and we expect it poorest nations, worsening secu- the world. Three points are vital. Breaking the cycle of displace- trary arrest, detention and other number of registered Afghan refu- grants. to become far worse as winter ap- rity and dwindling international Afghanistan needs more mon- ment will necessarily involve Eu- forms of harassment,” the IOM gees leaving Pakistan has surged in Islamabad has recently begun proaches.” investment have brought the Af- ey We must, firstly and as a point rope, too. EU member states must said in a statement on Friday. the past three months from 1,250 enforcing long-ignored rules limit- Afghanistan remains in tur- ghan economy to its knees. of urgency, increase the sheer come to terms with what is realis- “Given as little as 48 hours to in June, to 67,057 in August, ac- ing the freedoms of refugees, in- moil, as the US-backed government Rising tides of violence have amount of humanitarian aid direct- tically, and morally, needed to deal leave, they are hard pressed to sell cording to UN figures. The num- cluding prohibitions on living out- in Kabul has been unable to take forced a rethink of foreign military ed at Afghanistan to meet immedi- with the continuing exodus to- off assets and pack up their homes ber is expected to rise further after side of designated camps, running full control of the country and is presence in Afghanistan. NATO ate and overwhelming need. This wards its shores. and possessions. In some instanc- the Muslim Eid festival ends in a business, or owning real estate, constantly challenged by the mili- has committed to maintaining sup- year's UN appeal, a modest figure Proper resettlement across es people arrive with little more mid-September. The returnees put the Economist reported. The bank tant Taliban movement. (RT) port to Afghan security forces of $339 million, is barely 40% Europe through 2020, helping sustain a funded. The third key step is for Eu- struggling Afghan security force. While the problem of under- rope to ensure a fair, thorough and This must signal and demand funding extends beyond Afghani- effective asylum process for refu- a parallel, unyielding humanitari- stan -- UN appeals are halfway gees -- Syrians and Afghans alike - Foreigners among 85 insurgents an commitment to Afghanistan. funded on average, putting lifesav- - avoiding discrimination based on The announcement of military ing assistance the world round at nationality and in support of in- support without amplified human- risk -- at the current level of fi- ternational legal norms. In addition, itarian support puts the fragile and nancing, we are delivering $16 in EU member states must commit eliminated in Khost hard-won gains of the past 15 humanitarian assistance to each to a meaningful and longterm re- years at peril -- and risks repeat- Afghan in need for the entire year. settlement scheme that includes KHOST CITY ): Dozens of in- ing its mistakes. Even if fully funded, the ap- refugees from protracted situa- surgents, mostly foreigners, have While news of increased vio- peal would deliver just over $40 in tions. been killed in the Spera district of lence and ever-greater humanitari- assistance per person. This level The IRC is calling on the EU southeastern Khost province, au- an need is met with predictable of investment is inadequate not to commit to resettling 540,000 thorities claimed on Friday. fatigue from the American public, only to meet the immediate needs refugees over the next five years, a Two drone strikes and a com- it should not obscure the hard- of 8 million people, but to prevent demonstration that Europe can mando operation were conducted fought gains since 2001 that need the subsequent deterioration in take on a leadership role in this against insurgents in the restive to be preserved in Afghanistan. humanitarian conditions. A con- global displacement crisis and share town last week, Khost police chief Nine times more children are certed boost in humanitarian as- responsibility for refugees in need. Brig. Gen. Faizullah Ghairat told attending school. Thanks to the sistance inside Afghanistan is of The United States must also in- Pajhwok Afghan News. spread of basic health services, less pressing importance. crease its commitments to reset- At least 85 fighters, most of than half as many mothers are dy- More aid; better aid tlement, doubling its current com- them foreigners, were eliminated ing in childbirth. The mortality of Second, more aid needs to be mitment and resettling 140,000 during the operations, he said, add- children under five has been cut allied to an agenda for better aid. refugees in 2017. Resettlement is ing the militants planned to carry by a third. Access to safe drinking Afghans need the different parts a life-saving activity, and more of out a string of attacks in the dis- water has nearly doubled. of the international system to tar- it is urgently needed. trict during the Eidul Adha festi- Millions of Afghan men and get what UN Secretary-General September marks an impor- val. women cast their ballots in the first Ban Ki-moon has called "collec- tant moment for global leadership. “Before they could implement democratic handover in their coun- tive outcomes" for health, educa- Both President Obama and the their plans, the militants were try's history in 2014, resulting in tion, protection and income, cross- United Nations General Assembly killed,” the police chief said. “They the inauguration of President ing the divide between humanitar- have convened landmark summits (terrorists) will never succeed in Ashraf Ghani. ian and development programs. to galvanize concerted action in their nefarious designs. I assure you But what could have been a Programs need to be based on evi- response to the unparalleled dis- the district will not fall to them.” watershed return has now slowed dence of what works. placement crisis we face world- Elaborate security plans had to little more than a trickle, thin- This is a clarion call for work- wide. been prepared and no one would ning out as families lack the safety ing more strategically with limited A new American president and be allowed to disturb public order and support to return, and rebuild, resources. a new United Nations secretary- during the Eid, Gen. Ghairat con- at home. One example is the use of cash. general will need to forge ahead, tinued. He urged the general pub- Faced with insurmountable Just a few days ago, the IRC carrying the torch of indispensable lic to cooperate with security forc- threats to their lives and liveli- launched a cash transfer program and invigorated solidarity with the es. hoods, it is no surprise that a thou- for internally-displaced and vul- Afghan people. “If the people don’t support sand Afghans a day, on average, nerable host communities in some Bold, practical, long-term so- us, the security forces can’t do have fled their homes since the of Afghanistan's most inaccessible lutions are needed for Afghanistan much on their own. One reason is beginning of the year. provinces, recognizing that cash is -- and beyond. Only then can we that their strength is far from ade- A staggering 1.2 million peo- uniquely positioned to deliver flex- ensure the past 15 years, a grim quate. We can’t set security check- militants to lay down their weap- try. Meanwhile, Governor Hakam War did not offer a solution to ple are currently internally dis- ible, cost-efficient and dignified anniversary we mark in Septem- points everywhere.” ons and participate in the recon- Khan Habibi also urged the rebels problems, the governor argued. placed, the highest number since relief. ber, are a foundation on which to The police boss called on the struction of their war-torn coun- to join the reconciliation campaign. (Pajhwok) the fall of the Taliban. This helps families avoid the build. (CNN) SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

AT Monitoring Desk Mahmoud Baligh, Afghani- stan’s Minister of Public Works, KABUL: Iran’s Roads Minister reassured the attendants that the Akhundi joined Baligh, Afghani- Afghan government will provide stan’s Public Works Minister and security for the staff construct- KABUL : Pakistan would not be Hakimi, Afghanistan’s Minister of ing the rail track as the corridor allowed to transport its trade goods Finance at the ceremony to start bears a high significance for Af- to Central Asia through Afghani- construction of the 3rd segment of ghanistan in improving trade stan, President Ashraf Ghani rail track connecting the two neigh- with the open markets of the warned on Friday. boring countries. world. He said the tit-for-tat action According to MEHR News The breakthrough comes af- had been prompted by Pakistan’s Agency, the third segment of the ter the first ever cargo train from consistent refusal to let Afghan en- rail corridor of Khaf-Herat linking China arrived in the main Hair- trepreneurs do business with In- Iran to Afghanistan via rail track tan port located in north of Af- dia through the Waga border. got into construction in a ceremo- ghanistan on Wednesday. This A statement from the Presi- ny attended by Iran’s Minister of also boosts hopes among the dential Palace said Ghani issued the Roads and Urban Development Afghan officials to find access to warning during a meeting with Abbas Akhundi, Mahmoud Baligh, alternative transit routes. EMERGENCY UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan’s Minister of Public The train carrying loads of ALLS Afghanistan and Pakistan Owen Works, and Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, consignment arrived in Hairatan C Jenkins. Different issues, includ- Afghanistan’s Minister of Finance carrying a sign (Central Asian ing peace efforts, trade coopera- on Thursday at the border point Trains). Police tion and the repatriation of Afghan of Chahsorkh in Herat Province of “First ever Cargo Train from refugees from Pakistan, came up Afghanistan. China arrived in Hairatan Port of 100 - 119 for discussion at Thursday’s meet- “This project enhances bilat- Afghanistan today. Gawadar ing. The British diplomat hailed a eral relations of Iran and Afghani- port of Pakistan won’t longer be recent meeting of the Joint Coor- stan,” said the Iranian Minister our only option,” Javid Faisal, Hospitals dination and Monitoring Board Akhundi at the ceremony, “and it spokesman for Chief Executive (JCMB) in the build-up to the links Afghanistan with Europe, Officer’s Office said. FMIC Hospital Brussels Conference as a success China, and Central Asia via the Hairatan port is a small city for Afghanistan. transit corridors of Iran.” located in the border between Behind Kabul Medical He reiterated British support his administration’s preparations for resettlement of the returnees. Afghanistan was no longer a land-locked Afghanistan’s Minister of Fi- country, the president said, adding it had access to multiple transit trade routes. Pakistan had always blocked Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, ac- University: for the Kabul-led intra-Afghan rec- nance Hakimi said that the rail track cording to the Ministry of Com- onciliation process, pledging con- its routes for Afghan fruit merchants, inflicting huge losses on them, the president complained. But this year, would boost the volume of trade 0202500200-+93793275595 the Indian prime minister allowed the airlifting of fruits to his country. (Pajhwok) merce and Industries of Afghan- tinued efforts for stability in the between Iran and Afghanistan. istan. war-ravaged nation in coordination Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital with regional countries. The ambassador also referred Pule Bagh-e- Umomi to the possibility of Islamabad fur- War on terror giving rise to extremism:Hamid Karzai 070263672 ther stepping up the repatriation of Afghan refugees in the days ahead. Ghani welcomed support KABUL : Former president Ha- the private German university on Khairkhana Hospital from the UK and other countries mid Karzai has once again faulted Thursday. He accused the US and for the Afghan peace drive. He the ongoing war on terror, saying its allies of paying no attention 0799-321007 specially praised Jenkins’ focus on the flawed campaign has given rise during the 15-year anti-terror war 2401352 regional efforts in this regard. to extremism in the region. to destroying terrorist sanctuaries Peace with dignity had been a Speaking at the International and training centres that were out- genuine demand of the Afghan peo- School of Management (ISM) in side the border of Afghanistan. Indira Gandhi Children ple and government, the president Germany, he expressed his views In its current form, the war on said, claiming there was national, on democracy in Afghanistan, terror was leading to the growth of Hospital, Wazir Akbar peace talks with Taliban and the extremism in the region, he be- regional and global consensus on Khan, Kabul 2301372 it. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf need for eradicating terrorist safe lieved, urging the US to include big states had voiced their willingness havens. A statement from his of- powers like Russia, China and Iran to support the reconciliation ef- fice quoted Karzai as saying: “I’m in the alliance. Karzai also com- Ibn-e- Seena fort, he said, commending the cour- opposed to ongoing flawed war on mended Germany’s strong coop- age of Afghan forces in defeating terrorism. I will continue to be eration with Afghanistan in differ- Pul-e-Artan, Kabul averse to this campaign.” ent field over the past 13 years. terrorists. 2100359 However, he explained, con- The ex-president delivered his He said one of his key goals was tinued attacks in Afghanistan remarks during the academic dis- that Afghanistan should once again proved the terrorist enjoyed unin- cussion on the topic “Alliances for become home to all Afghans with Wazir Akbar Khan terrupted support from certain Democracy and Human Rights” at equal rights. (Pajhwok) quarters. Hospital In a not-so-veiled reference to 2301741, 2301743 Pakistan, Ghani said support for terror was a violation of good neigh- bourliness and all international EU CALLS ON NUG LEADERS TO UNITE Ali Abad norms. This act of the neighbour Shahrara, Kabul was no longer acceptable to Af- Stefano Manservisi, Director Gen- egates at the summit next month. al community wants the NUG to tries said. "Afghanistan needs to ghans, he declared. eral for International Cooperation It is however hoped that the bring reforms, eradicate corruption implement its promises made to 2100439 Ghani hinted at a diplomatic and Development of the Europe- tension between the two leaders and maintain the security of the the international community. Erad- push to counter the use of terror- an Union, has called on the Na- will end soon. Afghan people. Analysts say that ication of corruption, investigation ist groups for destabilising Afghan- tional Unity Government's (NUG) Representatives of the inter- Brussels Summit is one of the last of corruption cases, rule of law and Malalai Maternity istan. “I want you to convey my leaders to be united during the cur- national community, especially chances for the NUG to garner the implementation of reforms are the Hospital message to Pakistan,” the presi- rent situation. donor countries to Afghanistan, support of the international com- commitments made to the interna- dent told his interlocutor. Manservisi said in an interview will meet in Brussels next month munity. "European Union or the tional community by the NUG," 2201377/ 2301743 “Pakistan has always held out with TOLOnews on Friday that to draw up a roadmap on financial International Community's sup- Hadi Miran, a political analyst promises of supporting peace in he is optimistic about the achieve- aid to Afghanistan over the next port of NUG in Brussels Summit said. Afghanistan, but taking its vows ments of the NUG in development few years. "I would like to ask does not mean that NUG has done However, government officials Banks on face value is hard. And that’s and in its fight against corruption NUG leaders to end their rifts. a good job. have said that in the first two years why we want the neighbour to take but insists that Brussels Summit They want to represent Afghani- The international community the NUG faced many challenges Da Afghanistan Bank practical steps,” he continued. will pave the way for Afghanistan stan separately at the Brussels has repeatedly said that they can- and promised that they will do 2100302, 2100303 Pakistan’s intensified harass- to receive more financial aids. Summit (but they must) present not leave Afghanistan on its own more to implement big economic ment of Afghan refugees was aimed The NUG leaders are current- plans that can grasp the support in the current situation," Moham- programs, fight corruption and Bakhtar Bank to mount pressure on the Afghan ly working on government's re- of the international community," mad Amin Farhang, the former start fundamental projects in the government, he alleged, asserting ports that will be presented to del- said Manservisi. The internation- minister of commerce and indus- next three years. (ToloNews) 0776777000 Azizi Bank 0799 700900 Pashtany Bank 2102908, 2103868 Air Services Safi Airways 020 22 22 222 Ariana 020-2100270 Kam Air 0799974422 Hotels Safi Landmark 020-2203131 SERENA 0799654000 New Rumi Restaurant 0776351347 Internet Services UA Telecom 0796701701 / 0796702702 Exchange Rate Purchase:

One US$ = 66.90Afs One Pound Sterling= 86.32Afs One Euro = 74.28Afs 1000 Pak Rs = 621Afs Sale: One US$ = 67.10 Afs One Pound Sterling= 87.12Afs One Euro= 74.88 Afs 1000 Pak Rs= 629 SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Pakistan-based terrorist Masood Azhar’s on UN Security Council blacklist of groups linked to al- ISLAMABAD: Questioning In- Qaeda or Islamic State and India’s terior Minister Chaudhry Nisar entry in the Nuclear Suppliers Ali Khan’s defence of intelli- Group. gence agencies, opposition Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar Admitting that India and Chi- members on Thursday sought said that China is expected to be na have a “complicated relation- his resignation for failing to pre- appreciative of India’s interests, ship”, the Foreign Secretary said vent major terrorist attacks in especially when they are not in one should not ignore the collabo- the country despite having pri- conflict with those of Beijing, and rative and convergent side of the or information. noted that it is imperative for the ties as well. future of Asia and the world, that “I call upon the prime min- Sino-Indian ties are a subject the two nations approach each ister to seek the interior minis- of heightened attention. Part of the other with strategic maturity. reason is the weight of history that ter’s resignation and order an He admitted that bilateral ties this particular relationship carries inquiry to find out those respon- with China were “complicated” but on its shoulders, he said. sible for serious security laps- stressed that one should not ap- Some of it also arises from the es,” said the newly-appointed proach the relationship as a zero great potential that it holds and the parliamentary leader of the Pa- sum game. impact that its direction could have kistan Peoples Party (PPP), Taj “There is an expectation in on regional and global politics. Haider, while speaking on a India that a partner like China “The report card of our ties point of order in the Senate soon would be appreciative of India’s for the last three decades is much after the question hour. interests, especially when they are stronger than many assume,” he He also urged the president not in conflict with those of Chi- said. to take notice of Chaudhry na. Noting that from a situation Nisar’s statement that his min- “Combating terrorism is one of limited contacts and content, istry had prior information of such area and sanctioning of well- India-China relations have today major terrorist attacks and or- known terrorist leaders and organ- transitioned out of their state of der an inquiry to determine if isations should not emerge as an abnormalcy, Jaishankar said one the security lapses were delib- issue of difference. Nor should res- must give due credit to the efforts ervations on developmental issues, erate or not. of successive governments on both such as India’s predictable access The PPP senator, who was sides who have ensured peace and to international cooperation and tranquillity on the border, even as supported by retired Col Tahir investments in the field of civil negotiations on its settlement con- Mashhadi of the Muttahida nuclear energy,” he said speaking tinue. “Difficult problems, some Qaumi Movement, accused the at a conference here. of them pertaining to sovereignty, minister of “committing crimi- India on Friday said sanctioning organisations besides developmen- tion and investments in the field emerge as points of difference with Jaishankar was referring to have not been side-stepped,” he nal negligence” by not taking of well-known terrorist leaders and tal issues like access to coopera- of civil nuclear energy should not a “partner” like China. China blocking India’s bid to put said. preventive measures despite having foreknowledge of major terror attacks. In his winding up speech on a debate on the recent terrorist attacks in Quetta, Mardan and Peshawar on Wednesday, the minister had praised the role of intelligence agencies in the on- going fight against terror. He had claimed that the federal govern- ment had prior knowledge of some major terrorist incidents. He had claimed that the gov- ernment had information about SRIHARIKOTA: Scripting suc- tional flight of GSLV carrying Karnataka would perform the ini- It is an improved version of the attack on the Army Public cess on the maiden operational Cryogenic Upper Stage. Earlier tial orbit raising manoeuvres and similar imager that was used on School, Peshawar, three months flight of its heavy-duty rocket fit- launches were developmental. The later place it in circular geostation- INSAT-3A and Kalpana-1 Satel- before the incident whereas it ted with the indigenous cryogenic engine used was Russian engine. ary orbit. lites. had information about the raid upper stage, India today launched Today's launch is indigenous Cryo- "This process may take place The 'Sounder' payload, which on Bannu prison some two its advanced weather satellite IN- genic Upper Stage and it is the first a few days after launch," the ISRO was earlier used in INSAT-3D, weeks before it took place. Sim- SAT-3DR onboard GSLV-F05 operational flight," an ISRO offi- official said. will provide information on tem- ilarly, he said, they had received from the spaceport here. cial told PTI. INSAT-3DR would supple- perature and humidity. The 49.13-metre tall rocket The 2014 success had pro- ment the services of INSAT-3D The Data-Relay Transponder reports about the attack on Kara- lifted off from the second launch pelled India into the elite group of launched from French Guiana on would be used for receiving mete- chi airport four months before pad at the Satish Dhawan Space countries boasting of the home- July 26, 2013. orological, hydrological and ocean- the incident and the agencies Centre here at 4.50 PM, majesti- grown complex cryogenic engine The payloads in INSAT-3DR ographic data. had even pointed out the gate cally soared into the skies and in- and stage after twin failures in are Imager, Sounder, Data-Relay The Satellite Aided Search and from where terrorists were to jected the 2,211-kg INSAT-3DR 2010. Transponder and Satellite Aided Rescue Transponder would pick enter the airport building to car- into a Geosynchronous Transfer A jubilant ISRO Chairman A S Search and Rescue Transponder. up and relay alert signals originat- ry out the attack in 2014. Orbit about 17 minutes later. Kiran Kumar patted his team of The multi-spectral 'Imager' ing from distress beacons of mari- Expressing displeasure over Earlier, it was scheduled to lift scientists for "another achieve- would generate images of earth time, aviation, among others. criticism by some senators over off by 4.10 PM but due to "delay ment" even as he said the satellite every 26 minutes. It would pro- INSAT-3DR would join IN- in cryostage filling operations" it was placed in the orbit. vide information on various param- SAT-3A and INSAT-3D to provide the role of intelligence and secu- Sri Lanka failed to address the democratic and constitutional re- was rescheduled to 4.50 PM, offi- P Kunhikrishnan, Director, eters, sea surface temperature, operational search and rescue ser- rity agencies, Chaudhry Nisar causes of the conflict in a manner forms. He said the people of Sri cials said. Satish Dhawan Space Centre snow cover, cloud motion winds. vice. had asked the political parties that would guarantee durable peace, Lanka reasserted their commit- INSAT-3DR, with a designed SHAR (SDSC SHAR), said today's to encourage intelligence agen- meaningful reconciliation and non- ment to democracy by dislodging mission life of ten years, will pro- was a 'precision launch' where the cies which were working in a recurrence, Foreign Minister Man- an emerging dictatorship through vide service continuity to earlier satellite was placed in a "very ac- professional manner and “fight- gala Samaraweera said. non-violence. meteorological missions and fur- curate geosynchronous orbit." ing the war for the country’s He said that divisions in soci- “Not stopping at that, the ther augment the capability to pro- "Hearty congratulations to the survival”. ety were becoming deeper along people voted once again at the Par- vide various meteorological, search entire ISRO team for the wonder- Taking part in the debate, a religious and ethnic lines, freedom liamentary Election in August last and rescue services. ful job you have done. Keep it up," of speech and expression were cur- year to uphold the same values and number of senators had linked Today's mission, the 10th Kiran Kumar said. last month’s terrorist attack in tailed, and fear and intimidation norms. Most importantly, for the flight of GSLV, assumes signifi- pervaded society. first time in Sri Lanka’s history, It was the seventh successful Quetta to “intelligence agencies’ cance for the Indian Space Re- mission this year including the “Our nation which had been a with the support of the people we failure” and called for a thorough search Organisation (ISRO) as it IRNSS series and the scramjet pro- prominent and respected member have formed a National Unity investigation to fix responsibil- is the first operational flight of the pulsion mission and it had been of the international community Government, bringing together the ity. rocket fitted with the indigenous conducted with "utmost profes- since Independence, including in two main rival political parties in Mr Haider said the minis- cryogenic upper stage. sionalism in the short period pos- the United Nations, abandoned her the country, the Sri Lanka Free- ter’s statement proved that they Earlier, GSLV launches with sible," Kunhikrishnan said. natural foreign policy of engage- dom Party led by President were right in thinking that there indigenous cryogenic stage were Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre ment, and chose instead, to follow Maithripala Sirisena, and the Unit- under 'developmental' phase. (VSSC) Director L Sivan, described were certain elements in the in- a policy of antagonising tradition- ed National Party led by Prime GSLV-F05 also marked a hat- the GSLV success as "our beloved terior ministry who had not, in- al friends and partners, and isolat- Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe,” trick of success for the indigenous- Make in India" technology. tentionally or unintentionally, ed itself from the world communi- he said. The Minister said the un- ly developed complex cryogenic "The mission lifted the high- paid heed to the reports of agen- ty,” he said, speaking at the Inter- precedented move has heralded a upper stage (CUS) after GSLV-D5 est mass satellite...GSLV MKIII cies. national Institute for Middle-East new culture of consensual politics, Mr Mashhadi said it was (January 2014) and D6 (August is going to lift the highest mass and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) in providing the much needed politi- 2015) missions, which had satellite on Indian soil in another surprising that the minister had Slovenia. The Foreign Minister cal and policy stability in Sri Lan- launched GSAT-14 and GSAT-6 three months," he said. claimed that the government had said that the rainbow coalition of ka to undertake far reaching reform satellites into precise orbit. After the INSAT-3DR is very accurate prior information the opposition scored a decisive and important decisions in the "Today's launch of GSLV-F05 placed in orbit, scientists at Mas- victory on the 8th of January, on a long-term interest of Sri Lanka. about the attacks on the APS is significant since it is first opera- ter Control Facility at Hassan, and the Civil Hospital in Quet- platform promising far reaching (Colombo Gazette) ta. “If this is so then why lives were not saved,” he said while supporting the PPP’s call for an investigation. The MQM senator said that the federal government could not absolve itself of re- sponsibility by simply stating that it had passed the intelligence information to the provinces. Even if some elements in the Bangladesh and Iceland have it, he also met with Prime Minis- standing friendly relations between provincial governments are re- agreed to “strengthen” collabo- ter Sigurður Ingi Jóhannssonat. Bangladesh and Iceland, which sponsible for security lapses, ration in the areas of mutual in- In his official talks with his commenced immediately after they should be identified. terest, particularly fisheries man- counterpart Alfredsdóttir, Ali Bangladesh’s independence in Earlier, the opposition and agement. thanked him for extending cooper- 1971. some trea-sury members staged Both countries also decided ation for the development of the The foreign minister is visit- a walkout when Minister of to cooperate in jointly overcom- fisheries sector in Bangladesh. ing the world’s second largest geo- State for Parlia-men-tary Affairs ing the threat of climate change. The United Nations Universi- thermal plant in Iceland The for- Aftab Shaikh, in res-ponse to a This was agreed at a meeting ty – Fisheries Training Program eign minister is visiting the world’s between the two foreign minis- (UNU-FTP) in Iceland has a MoU second largest geothermal plant in question asked by the PML-N’s ters, AH Mahmood Ali and Lilja with Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Iceland They agreed to explore new Salahuddin Tirmizi, said the gov- Alfredsdóttir, on Sep 7 when the Foundation (BSFF) since Sept avenues to improve trade and in- ernment was considering no Bangladesh foreign minister paid 2014. vestment relations, including en- proposal to provide offices and an official visit, said a joint state- The two ministers noted that couraging public-private partner- staff to mem-bers of the National ment on Friday. a total of 12 fellows from Bang- ships in marine resources manage- Assembly and senators. The visit was part of his tour ladesh had taken part in the six- ment in the Bay of Bengal. Mr Tirmizi termed the re- of the Nordic countries with a month training programme. The Icelandic Foreign Minis- ply an “insult to the house”, view to what the foreign minis- The UNU-FTP has taken a ter accepted an invitation to visit saying that all over the world, try said revitalising Bangladesh’s total of five trips to Bangladesh Bangladesh, along with a delega- elected representatives were bilateral cooperation, including for field studies, scouting, and tion, particularly comprising ex- provided with office and staff exploring new areas of coopera- partnership building. The first perts and entrepreneurs from the so that they could interact with tion. He is now visiting Sweden. short course was held in Bang- fisheries sector and geothermal their constituents and perform The foreign minister, AH ladesh from May 8 to May 13 this energy. The Bangladesh foreign their duties in a better way. The Mahmood Ali, meets Icelandic year. minister also visited the second entrepreneurs and researchers. Group photo after visiting the Ocean Cluster House in Reykjavik -- the light minister said that he was per- Prime Minister at his office with Ali also sought support in its largest geothermal plant in the sheds behind are made of fish skins. Group photo after visiting the Ocean Cluster House in Reykjavik -- the sonally in favour of the idea and his delegation on Sep 7 The for- desire to be an “observer” at the world Orkuveita Reykjavikur light sheds behind are made of fish skins. The foreign ministry said he was “fascinated” at the ongoing work asked the house to make recom- eign minister, AH Mahmood Ali, Arctic Council. His counterpart (OR) which is based in Iceland, and on high value addition in the Icelandic fisheries sector, such as fish skins used for leather and clothes and mendations to the government meets Icelandic Prime Minister assured him of giving the matter Ocean Cluster House, a state-of- intestines for medicine and human skin replacement. He also visited the United Nations University (UNU) at his office with his delegation “due consideration”. the–art ocean resources and fish- in Reykjavik and exchanged views with the faculty members, including a Bangladeshi student, M. Mahbub so that the matter could be pur- on Sep 7 During his Iceland vis- He also commended the long eries innovation hub comprising sued. Alam, who is about to finish his Ph.D. in fisheries under a fellowship offered by the UNU. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTAN TIMES News-in-Brief North Korea hails 'successful' nuclear test North Korea said it has carried out a successful "nuclear war- head explosion" test to counter what it called US hostility, North Korean state TV reported, an- gering neighbours and the Unit- US Secretary of State John Kerry ed States. An earthquake with a flew in to Geneva on Friday to meet magnitude of 5.3 was detected his Russian counterpart once in the country's north on Friday again, seeking a deal with Moscow morning, South Korea's meteo- to restore a ceasefire in Syria. rological agency said, in what Senior officials travelling with officials said was the biggest ever Kerry said he would not have trav- such blast. elled to join Foreign Minister Ser- A state TV presenter said: gei Lavrov unless he thought there "Scientists [from] ... the DPRK was a chance of making progress. carried out a nuclear explosion But they warned they could test for the judgment of the pow- not guarantee a final agreement er of a nuclear warhead newly would be reached within the nar- studied and manufactured by row window available before both them at the northern nuclear test men return home later in the day. ground." Washington wants concrete The Democratic People's steps from Russia to force its Syr- Republic of Korea is the North's ian ally Bashar al-Assad to stop official name. "The Central bombing his own people and to Committee of the [ruling] Work- lift the siege of the city of Aleppo. ers' Party of Korea sent warm “We need to see a situation congratulations to nuclear scien- where it’s clear within whatever is tists ... of the northern nuclear being agreed with the Russians that test ground on the successful nu- there won’t be a siege of Aleppo,” clear warhead explosion test," a senior US official told reporters. the presenter said. “If we conclude that we can The test would also enable get there then we’ll keep going,” the North to produce "as many he said, suggesting the marathon as it wants [of] a variety of negotiation could be prolonged still smaller, lighter and diversified further, but not indefinitely. no purpose in us continuing,” he warned. In exchange for reining in its client in Damascus, Russia wants closer military cooperation with the United States in the battle against extremist nuclear warheads of higher strike “If we conclude that it’s being groups fighting in Syria. This would help its jets target the ISIS and Nusra Front groups, while giving it de facto political cover as a partner working more closely alongside US forces. power", she said. dragged on for no other purpose Asked whether a deal was possible on Friday, another senior US official said: “All I can say is we can’t guarantee at any point that we are on the cusp of finishing. “That said, I think The UN nuclear watchdog than to gain time then there’ll be that if we didn’t think ... that there remained a possibility of getting this done, we wouldn’t be going back to Geneva,” he added. said the test was in "clear viola- tion of numerous United Na- tions Security Council resolu- tions" and disregarded repeated demands from the international community. "It is a deeply trou- bling and regrettable act," Inter- national Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said in a video on the IAEA's website. He add- ed that the IAEA is ready to re- sume verification activities in North Korea once a political agreement had been reached among the countries concerned. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg "strongly con- demned" the "very disturbing" development, telling Pyongyang Former Secretary of State Colin conversations similar to phone January 2009 that he had “a per- email setup was probably target- it must drop all nuclear and bal- Powell found himself on the de- calls. He said he was unaware of sonal computer that was hooked ed by foreign intelligence agencies. listic missile activities. fensive Thursday following the any requirement that those mes- up to a private phone line” so he A yearlong investigation by the "I strongly condemn these release of a 2009 email exchange sages be preserved as government could communicate with friends FBI focused on whether Clinton consistent provocations and vi- with Hillary Clinton, describing his records, potentially subject to and foreign leaders directly “with- sent or received classified informa- olations of binding UN Security use of a private, dial-up email ac- public release. out it going through the State De- tion using the private server, which Council resolutions which un- count to carry out government “I have been interviewed by partment servers.” was not authorized for such mes- dermine regional and interna- business. the State Department (Inspector Powell also warned Clinton in sages. FBI Director James Comey tional security," he said in a state- Powell’s antiquated AOL ac- General) and the FBI about my 2009 “there is a real danger” if it said in July that his agents didn’t ment. count, which worked over a phone actions and decisions,” Powell said were to became known she was find evidence to support any crim- line in his office at the State De- Thursday. “I stand by my deci- using a smartphone to send emails inal charges or direct evidence that partment, might have been more sions and I am fully accountable.” because they could become offi- Clinton’s private server was Four killed in vulnerable to attack by hackers A retired Army general, Pow- cial government records subject to hacked. He suggested that hackers than the private email server the ell served as America’s top diplo- release under the Freedom of In- working for a foreign government Spanish train Clinton used during her tenure as mat during Republican President formation Act. may have been so sophisticated crash secretary. George W. Bush’s first term. His Republicans have sought to they wouldn’t have left behind any Powell said in a statement he exchange with Clinton was released portray the Democratic presiden- evidence of a break-in. In Powell’s At least four people died and viewed his use of private email to Wednesday by congressional tial nominee’s use of a private serv- case, however, it is known that his close to 50 people were injured communicate with foreign leaders Democrats. er to conduct official business as private email account was eventu- on Friday after a train derailed and senior U.S. officials as private Powell wrote to Clinton in reckless, saying her homebrew ally breached. in Galicia in north-western Spain, local authorities said. The train driver, a Portu- Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al- The two foreign ministers. guese national, was among those Jubeir said on Thursday that Riy- Meanwhile, Jubeir said Saudi killed, according to authorities in adh has “similar stance” with Tur- and Turkey were “the first two the Galician town of O Porrino, key regarding Syria, Iraq and Ye- states who cooperated to back the the nearest to the accident. men. Syrian opposition since day one.” Another crew member and In a joint press conference with He also said Saudi “looks for- 63 passengers were on board the his Turkish counterpart, during his ward” to work with Turkey on train, which crashed close to a visit to Ankara, Jubeir said stanc- these “common issues,” vowing station around 20 minutes into es of Turkey and Saudi “fully co- that Riyadh will gives Ankara full its journey between the Spanish incide with each other regarding support on fighting terrorism. city of Vigo and the Portuguese Syria, Iraq or Yemen, including ter- Jubeir also extended his city of Porto. Regional authori- rorism.” “thanks” to Ankara’s “supportive ties said 47 people were taken Jubeir described that the plan stance in terms of pilgrimage.” to hospital. put forth by the Syrian opposi- Turkey’s Foreign Minister Television footage from the tion is “detailed” and “complete,” Mevlut Cavusoglu expressed his accident, which happened just and said President Bashar al-As- appreciation for Saudi’s support before 9.30am (0730 GMT), sad’s regime was still rejecting a to Ankara following the failed coup showed the train’s front carriage political solution. in Turkey when a rogue military flipped onto its side and rammed On Wednesday, the High Ne- faction tried to oust the Turkish up against an electricity pylon gotiations Committee (HNC), Syr- president from power on July 15. next to the track. Spain’s state ia’s main opposition negotiating Turkey launched an incursion rail manager Adif said it had group, said it would reject any deal on Aug. 24 into Syria - the so-called launched an investigation into the struck by Russia and the United Euphrates Shield operation - to causes of the accident, which States on Syria’s fate that was very back Syrian rebels in their fight to remained unclear. Spanish media different from its own proposed push ISIS out of the town of Jarab- said the train had hit a bridge af- transition plan. lus and to limit the Syrian Kurdish ter coming out of a curve. The HNC said its proposed militia forces’ advance west of the process would start with six Euphrates River. months of negotiations to set up a Turkish Deputy Prime Min- 50 people remain transitional administration made ister Nurettin Canikli said on stuck in cable cars up of figures from the opposition, Wednesday that the Turkey- the government and civil society. backed rebel forces may go deeper suspended over It would require President Bashar into Syria after securing a 90 km al-Assad to leave office at the end (56 mile) stretch of land along the French Alps of those six months. Turkish border. Around 50 people were stuck in cable cars high above the gla- ciers of Mont Blanc in the French Alps late Thursday af- ter a helicopter rescue operation was suspended as night fell, of- ficials said. The cable cars got A leading international rights group ized in Egypt in 2008. However, stuck at an altitude of 3,800 on Friday called on Egypt to enact it remains widespread and an esti- metres (12,468 feet), initially new and harsher legal penalties for mated 90 percent of Egyptian with 110 people on board. the widespread practice of female women have undergone some form “We succeeded in evacuat- gentile mutilation. of the forced procedure. ing, in very difficult conditions, The appeal by Human Rights Genital mutilation is practiced 60 people in an hour and a half,” Watch came over a week after the among both Muslims and Chris- the prefect of the Haute-Savoie Egyptian parliament voted in fa- tians, and social pressures are region, Georges-Francois Leclerc vor of toughening penalties for strong - many families fear that an told AFP. “We had to suspend FGM, adopting amendments that uncircumcised daughter will be the air transport rescue at night- will punish perpetrators with 15 unable to marry. fall,” he added. years in prison if a child dies and While the amendments passed Leclerc did not say whether up to seven years for performing without much resistance, a law- the tourists remaining in the ca- the procedure. maker sparked an outcry after ble cars would have to spend Rothna Begum, the Middle saying in remarks published in the entire night suspended up East women’s rights researcher at media last week that FGM is need- there. A press conference was HRW, said that the stricter penal- ed to curb women’s sexuality and scheduled for 2030 GMT at city ties now “reflect the horrific and to counterbalance allegedly wide- hall in Chamonix. potentially deadly consequences spread male impotence in Egypt. The problem was caused by of this discriminatory practice.” Ilhami Agena claimed that 64 cables that got crossed for “un- But she added that a “broader law percent of Egyptian men suffer known reasons” around 1400 reform is needed to adequately from impotence, citing increased GMT and the employees of the combat this horrific practice” and sales of Viagra. Mont-Blanc Company weren’t warned that tens of thousands of “If women are not circum- able to repair them, Mathieu girls remain at risk. cised, they will become sexually Dechavanne, CEO of the com- The centuries-old practice, strong and there will be a prob- pany that manages the cable misguidedly believed to control lem,” an imbalance leading to di- cars, told AFP. women’s sexuality, was criminal- vorce, he added. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

We a r e a n a t ion a l in st it u t ion a n d n ot t h e voice of a gov t or a p r iva t e or ga n iza t ion

AFGHANISTAN TIMES Arab nations like the former Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir Yugoslavia (which was divid- Phone No: +93-772364666 ed into seven states) will pro- duce dozens more fragile con- E-mail: [email protected] flicting mini-states. But even that isn't really my Email: [email protected] main point. Of grave importance here is www.afghanistantimes.af the fact that it's the Syrian re- gime (and ISIL) that's busy re- Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi shaping and dividing the coun- try through bloodshed and Advisory editorial board ethnic cleaning along sectari- an or/and defensible lines. Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, In fact, it's been going on Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal for at least two to three years with the help of Iran and Graphic-Designer: Hezbollah, and it will continue to go on for several more years Edriss Akbari, Bilal Yusufi if the Assad regime has its way. Marketing & Advertising: Even the last few ceasefire Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 agreements have led to a de- By Marwan Bishara problem with their thesis is not partitioning the Middle East gree of ethnic cleansing in plac- Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan It's terribly annoying - not to that partition in principle is blas- was imposed from outside the es where the regime agreed to Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 say revolting - to read Western phemous, unthinkable or im- region, and there's no relief in cease hostility. "experts" as they present a di- probable. It's rather how they're sight. It seems the solution to In other words, what these Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press vision of Syria as the "best", so blase about the unity or di- bad partition is another parti- brilliant experts are doing is ra- "most logical", or even "the vision of other nations, and tion. If partition doesn't work, tionalising through words what only" solution to the civil war who is best served by such more partition will. Bashar al-Assad and ISIL are there. I remember a few years analysis. You may or may not Dividing Syria along ethnic doing through violence; hard- The constitution says ago when an academic drew a have noticed, but the pompos- and religious lines will create ly the role of an academic or a straight line through the map ity about Syria's future comes more - not less - conflict and journalist. of Syria on CNN and, along primarily from present or past violence. The alternative to the failed with the host, agreed to parti- seats of empire, whether it's I have some news for those imperial policies in Syria can- Washington, New York, Lon- analysts: Syria is not the Bal- not and should not be its divi- Article 124: tion the country. OK, so the guy had actually been to Syria - don, Paris or Moscow. Even kans; and the Middle East is sion. The larger coalition of Article One Hundred Twenty-Four: Provision of Laws related to civil servants as well as non-Westerners get to feel im- not Europe. That's not to say Syrian opposition groups re- other administrative staff of the state shall also apply to the officials and the administrative perhaps he felt somehow enti- tled to an opinion on the mat- perial as soon as they teach, that the partition of the former main united and committed to personnel of the judiciary; but the Supreme Court in accordance with the law shall regulate write or even reside in Western Yugoslavia is ideal. Without the a united Syria, as it must. their appointment, dismissal, promotion, retirement, rewards and punishments. ter. But what about those who've never even been to Syr- capitals, alas. European Union, time will Marwan Bishara is the se- ia and yet are so eager to pre- You just don't hear the prove it's anything but. nior political analyst at Al scribe partition of the country? same type of bombast about That's why dividing Syria Jazeera. Follow him on Face- No longer along one straight the casual partitioning of other along ethnic and religious lines book. line but more along the lines of states coming from Jakarta, will create more - not less - con- The views expressed in this a Swiss cheese carving. Delhi or Brasilia. flict and violence. article are the author's own and Syrian government blamed A hundred years have Treating Syria or Iraq, Lib- do not necessarily reflect Al for Aleppo chemical attack The passed since the original sin of ya, Yemen and other troubled Jazeera's editorial policy. Deputy Crown Prince in China There were numerous developments in the past three months which raised concerns over the political and security situation of the country. Skepti- and the Silk Road vision By Fahad Suleiman Shoqiran Middle Eastern partner. and expressed support for a polit- el “as long as the visiting guest, cism was its peak as all hopes were faded. The government was facing se- Saudi Arabia cannot be dragged ical solution in Syria by keeping Prince Mohammed, is leading an The Saudi Deputy Crown Prince’s into the Russian-Iranian plan that the interests of the Syrians and unprecedented project to diversi- vere criticism for its failure to improve security situation and thwart terror visit to Asia represents more seri- is being devised to set Syria on a saving them from the Baathist re- fy the economy of his country and attacks, especially large scale attacks launched by the Taliban to capture ous openness towards economic predetermined course gime. The meetings also aimed to set it firmly on the path taken by and political powers and proves Major significance discuss an international settlement rising nations and as long as China strategically important highways and cities. The Afghan National Security his keenness to strengthen rela- Prince Mohammed bin Sal- that will protect Syrians’ interests has the Silk Road project”. and Defense Forces were quick in retaking the captured areas from the mil- tions with major powers for the man’s visit is significant for sever- and create for them a future that China launched an initiative purpose of realizing Saudi Arabia’s al reasons. First of all, there were suits them after the sacrifices ‘One Belt, One Road’ in 2013 for itants but exposed the fragile government and divided leadership. The lead- Vision 2030. The visit was also 15 bilateral agreements in several they’ve made during the past five the purpose of enabling its public meant to prepare the ground for fields mainly related to energy, oil years. and private facilities and compa- ership has been criticized for their differences over the political issues greater cooperation and discussing storage, mining and commerce. Russian President Vladimir nies to invest and work in 65 coun- which prevented the country from development and left the nation at crisis. significant political and regional China has also signed an agreement Putin expressed the impossibility tries in central Asia, Europe and issues with Beijing. with the Saudi Ministry of Hous- of a regional agreement without the Middle East - countries which Healthy criticism is beauty of democracy. Therefore, the government Those who have followed the ing to construct a new city in the Saudi Arabia’s participation. This are on the Silk Road. “It’s also for has listened to the criticism and responded positively at some occasions by development of relations between al-Asfar District, an agreement to is true but Saudi Arabia cannot be this purpose that China established the two countries since the mid- build the Silk Road and a memo- dragged into the Russian-Iranian the Silk Road Fund with a capital bringing changes in policies. The foreign policy of the unity government is 1980s will find it difficult to be- randum of understanding between plan that is being devised to set of $40 billion in addition to estab- lieve that the slow pace of rela- the Chinese Ministry of Science Syria on a predetermined course. lishing the Asian Bank for Invest- very successful. The internal policy will also prove productive if the lead- tions has been accelerated. The and Technology and King Abdu- Third, there is the strategic ment with a capital of $500 bil- ers reached consensus on all major issues and removed the internal differ- first meeting between China and laziz City for Science and Tech- aspect of the visit, which was put lion,” the minister said. Saudi Arabia was held in Oman in nology. into context by Saudi Minister of Russian President Vladimir ences. The leaders in the halls of power are realizing it; though late. But it is November 1985. There was mili- This was in addition to an Trade and Investment, Majed al- Putin described Prince Moham- better to be late than never. Their agreement on the policies and ways to tary cooperation between China MoU in the field of water resourc- Qasabi. “Chinese efforts to revive med bin Salman saying: “He is a and Saudi Arabia before they es. Economic agreements with the the Silk Road to connect the East person who knows well what he secure the national interests and improve lives of the common people is opened embassies in 1990. Chinese private sector were also with the West harmonize with Sau- wants to achieve and he knows The military cooperation was signed. The most significant of di Vision 2030 as the vision will be how to achieve his goals. At the crucial especially at this critical juncture. based on the Iraqi-Iranian war as them is the agreement between the based on transforming the king- same time, I consider him a reli- Fortunately, there are some signs on the political and security horizon King Fahd had dispatched a dele- Council of Saudi Chambers of dom’s strategic position among the able partner whom we can agree gation on a secret mission to buy Commerce and Industry and the major global waterways into a glo- with and be confident that agree- which shows that the country is going towards development and most of the surface-to-surface missiles. This Chinese Council for the Promotion bal logistical center. China, which ments will be executed.” This is key challenges would be resolved. The first major issue that caused panic in contributed to altering the balance of International Trade. All these is Saudi Arabia’s top commercial the outcome of the Deputy Crown of power in the region. Saudi Ara- agreements create an environment partner, will benefit from this part- Prince’s relentless efforts, which the power corridors was of the repatriation of Afghan refugees. The gov- bia even reportedly kept the de- in support of Saudi Arabia’s vi- nership with the kingdom in terms will continue until the Saudi vision tails of this deal away from the sion. of attracting investment opportu- becomes a tangible reality. ernment of Pakistan has decided to extend stay of the refugees by one year. US, which did not find out about Secondly, the visit derives its nities that are promising in terms This article was first published The decision was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Pakistan’s Prime the Chinese missiles in Saudi Ara- significance from the summits of services and logistics. It will also in Asharq al-Awsat on Sept. 06, bia until two years later. which Prince Mohammed bin Sal- benefit from the partnership in dif- 2016. Minister Nawaz Sharif. Those Afghan refugees who are registered with the Saudi Arabia managed to co- man held with world leaders to dis- ferent commercial and industrial Fahad Shoqiran is a Saudi writ- federal government can stay in Pakistan until December 2017. The deci- operate with China before official cuss energy-related issues, the sectors”, he said. er and researcher who also found- relations were instated and prior Syrian crisis and unrest in the re- The next level ed the Riyadh philosophers group. sion will help the Afghan government to prepare ground for the dignified to that, had diplomatic ties with gion and how to put out raging fires Expert in Asian affairs Profes- His writings have appeared in pan- Taiwan. The establishment of dip- by forging agreements supported sor Abdullah al-Madani wrote an Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, return of Afghans to their homeland. As there were some technical prob- lomatic ties between Saudi Arabia by superpowers. important article commenting on Alarabiya.net, among others. He lems, the Afghan government can overcome these challenges. and China at the beginning of the The prince conveyed Saudi the visit. He said Saudi-Chinese also blogs on philosophies, cultures 1990s made Saudi Arabia a unique The second outstanding challenge faced by the country was related to Arabia’s position to world leaders relations will move to the next lev- and arts. He tweets @shoqiran. improvement of national economy. As Afghan traders use Pakistani routes for transit trade, they were facing many problems. Recently, Pakistan has closed Wagah border for Afghan transit trade. Arrival of the first ever freight train from the neighboring China has injected new hopes. The trained ar- rived this week after travelling 3,000 kilometers. We can say now that Af- ghanistan is no more a landlocked country. Afghan traders can import and export goods via Iran’s Chabahar and China. Power crisis is third major problem faced by Afghans, especially indus- trialists. The policymakers are paying attention toward this issue. After com- pletion of the Salma dam, installation and inauguration of the third turbine at Helmand’s Kajaki dam is another step. Looking at these developments, Afghans have to remain united and keep faith. We as a nation shall support the government to reconstruct the coun- Corruption try and become independent in real sense because Afghanistan is currently dependent on major regional and global players. Subscription Rates Fee Categories Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of Fight against corruption copies you want. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

By Dr. Majid Rafizadeh Politically speaking, preme Leader (the Imam) cus- Khamenei’s remarks contradict todianship over all people (not Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatol- his political and religious inter- only the Shiite). But what he lah Ali Khamenei, who enjoys ests. Khamenei’s political inter- lacks to fully fulfill his mission the final say on Iran’s domes- ests – that dictate the idea that is the custodianship and con- tic and foreign policies, has re- he should reassert Iran’s pow- trol over Makkah and Madi- peatedly labeled any opposi- er and preeminence in the re- nah. This significantly decreas- tion to his rule and policies (in- gion – trumped the religious es his leverage in the Muslim cluding those by Iran’s reform- need of Iranian citizens who world. ists and supporters of the Green desire to perform the Hajj. To Khamenei’s modus operan- movement) as “Fitna”. serve his political reasons and di during, his nearly three de- The term “Fitna” comes further Iran’s regional hege- cades rule, has been to dodge from an Arabic verb that means monic ambitions, it is Khame- responsibility by holding oth- to “seduce, tempt, or lure.” nei, not anyone else, who is er people accountable for the Khamenei uses these words to preventing the Iranians from repercussions of his policies. describe those who divide traveling to Saudi Arabia. He is harshly criticizing Saudi Muslims, endanger Islam, pri- Khamenei’s fallacy Arabia so that the Iranians who oritize their own interests over Religiously speaking, missed the Hajj because of his Islamic duties, or those who Khamenei does not consider policies would not point finger desire to change the political himself to be only the Imam at him and blame him. establishment of the Islamic (leader) of the Iranian people Khamenei’s incendiary re- Republic. “Fitna” is Khame- or the Shiite community. From marks also suggest that Iran’s nei’s “red line” and anyone his perspective and the mod- interventionist, aggressive, who engages in “Fitna” should ern theory of Shiite theology, and militaristic actions are spi- be eliminated. he views himself as the leader raling toward extremism rather But if pursuing policies and of the Umma (all Muslims) than moderation, most signifi- rhetoric that divide, rather than across the world. This transfor- cantly since the United States unify, Muslims is “Fitna” for mation in the Shiite theology - reached an agreement with Iran By Gregory Aftandilian would have been prosecut- Moreover, she strongly "happy trigger" finger and Khamenei, doesn’t his own re- to view Iran’s Supreme Leader on the nuclear program. After a week of exchang- ed and imprisoned if he had defended the Iran nuclear suggested that she would be cent remarks make him a “Fit- as the religious and political Khamenei’s decision to pre- ing diatribes on whether the done what she did. deal by noting that it is in the more inclined to take the US na” as well? leader of all Muslims - was ma- vent Iranians from performing other candidate had the tem- She gave a very scripted strategic interests of the US into other conflicts. Using incendiary and pro- terialized and set up by Ruhol- the Hajj suggests that he keeps perament and judgment to vocative language, Khamenei lah Khomeini, the founding fa- political interests above reli- response to his comment, to prevent Iran from devel- UpFront - Will Donald recently labelled a series of ac- ther of the Islamic Republic in gious duties and this approach be president, Donald Trump which sounded both legalis- oping nuclear weapons, but Trump win the US presiden- cusations and criticism against 1979. is most likely to backfire. and Hillary Clinton partici- tic and defensive. Such an- then underscored that she tial election? Saudi Arabia. He called the Once Khomeini obtained Dr. Majid Rafizadeh, an Ira- pated in a Commander-in- swers did not do anything to still has problems with Iran's But Trump's penchant for Saudi leaders names, and even power, he argued that a reli- nian-American political scien- Chief forum on September dispel the notion of her un- "malicious activities" in the saying contradictory things asked the Muslims to challenge gious leader should not be tist and Harvard University 6 in front of a group of mili- trustworthiness, which vari- region that need to be dealt and his ignorance of some Saudi Arabia’s custodianship working in separation from pol- scholar, is president of the In- tary veterans aboard a de- ous polls have pointed out. with. foreign policies highlighted of Islam’s holiest sites in Mak- itics, but should be the ultimate ternational American Council. commissioned US naval ship This subject remains her Reacting to recent criti- his own vulnerabilities. kah and Madinah. Khamenei’s ruler of all the nation’s affairs. Rafizadeh serves on the board harboured in New York. chief vulnerability and is un- cism from Trump and oth- remarks come at a critical time For hundreds of years, in tradi- of Harvard International Review After saying for months when Muslims are performing tional Shiite theology and at Harvard University. He is Although the format was likely to go away before the ers that she is an uncontrol- that he had a secret pan for not a debate - each candi- the Hajj, a religious pilgrimage among most respected Shiite also a member of the Gulf November election. React- lable hawk who is eager to defeating ISIL if elected to Islam’s most holy sites. religious leaders, religion and project at Columbia Universi- date in separate sessions ing to recent criticism from intervene militarily, Clinton president, he said on Sep- Khamenei wrote on his website: the divine spirituality were sep- ty. Rafizadeh served as a senior was asked questions by the Trump and others that she said that defeating the Islam- tember 6 that he would task “The world of Islam must fun- arate from politics. fellow at Nonviolence Interna- interviewer and by veterans is an uncontrollable hawk ic State of Iraq and the Le- his top generals to come up damentally reconsider the man- Many Shiite theologians tional Organization based in in the audience - they tried who is eager to intervene vant (ISIL, also known as with an anti-ISIL plan in 30 agement of the two holy plac- still oppose Khomeini’s and Washington DC. He has been to highlight their qualifica- militarily, Clinton said that ISIS) is her top counterter- days of his taking office. es and the issue of Hajj.” The Khamenei’s perception. That is a recipient of several scholar- tions for the job, but couldn't defeating the ISIL is her top rorism goal; but then went Hajj is supposed to be a sym- why many well-known schol- ships and fellowship including resist taking jabs at each oth- When the interviewer bol of unity between all Mus- ars before Iran’s revolution, in- from Oxford University, Annen- counterterrorism goal. on to say that the battle noted this discrepancy, er despite the fact that the Clinton was on stronger against it should only involve lims. Khamenei decided to pre- cluding Dr. Ali Shariati, com- berg University, University of interviewer wanted them to Trump tried to finesse it by vent Iranians from performing pletely miscalculated by ruling California Santa Barbara, and ground - and appeared less air strikes, US advisers and the Hajj. This suggests that he stay clear of such actions. defensive - dealing with for- Arab and Kurdish fighters, stating that even though he out the idea that Iran would be Fulbright Teaching program. has his own plan, he would gives priority to his political run by the Shiite clerics after He served as ambassador for US election: Clinton, Trump eign policy issues. not US ground troops. interests over Muslims’ holy the revolution. the National Iranian-American discuss security with war Although she acknowl- She also said that the US still want to hear from the generals and suggested the duties. But why has Khamenei However, with hard power Council based in Washington veterans edged again that her vote in needs to do much more to felt the urge to issue such pro- and brute force during the ear- DC, conducted research at Clinton under fire 2002 to give then-president confront the ideology of ISIL two plans could be melded vocative remarks? Khamenei is ly years of the Islamic revolu- Woodrow Wilson Internation- Clinton was asked sev- George W Bush the author- in cyberspace. together. harshly criticizing Saudi Arabia tion, Khomeini and his team set al Center for Scholars, and eral tough questions about ity to go to war against Iraq She then took a final jab More alarmingly, he said so that the Iranians who missed up and operationalized the con- taught at University of Califor- her email usage on an un- was a mistake, she said it at Trump by saying that his one of the gravest mistakes the Hajj because of his policies cept of Vilayat-e-Faqih (the nia Santa Barbara through Ful- classified server while she was "imperative that we comments disparaging Mus- coming out of the Iraq war would not point finger at him Guardianship of the Islamic Ju- bright Teaching Scholarship. was secretary of state. learn from mistakes". lims and the Muslim parents was that the US did not "take and blame him rist, also called the Governance He can be reached at Although she acknowl- the oil". Politicizations of Shiite Is- of the Jurist). [email protected], She then contrasted her of a fallen American soldier lam This idea gave Iran’s Su- @Dr_Rafizadeh. edged that she had made a acknowledgement with "is the last thing we should Sounding like an early mistake in this regard, she Trump's duplicity on the sub- be doing" as it gives fodder 20th century imperialist, he emphatically denied that she ject, saying that he support- to groups such as ISIL. lamented the disappearance received or sent classified ed the Iraq war at the time Trump's inconsistency of "to the victor go the emails because none of the even though he denies do- Trump's strength in the spoils". messages contained the ing so today. forum was his description of If the Syrian and Iraqi oil headers of "top secret, se- Clinton also defended the Iraq war as a disaster fields were in US hands, he cret or confidential." She her decision to favour inter- that has destabilised the Mid- added, ISIL would not have also claimed that there was vention in Libya in 2011, dle East and one that should profited from their sale. He no evidence that her person- stating that the US had the have never been fought. This failed to explain how non- al email accounts had been support of both NATO and sentiment is shared by a ma- ISIL Iraqis and Syrians hacked. the Arab League, and jority of Americans. would have reacted to this One veteran, who noted claimed such intervention Because of Clinton's grab of economic resourc- that he had security clear- prevented Muammar Gadd- vote for the Iraq war and her es. ances when he served in the afi from massacring thou- intervention in Libya, Trump But perhaps Trump's By Abdulrahman al-Rashed Now, the solution has become even cause of him. If the Russians and military, underscored that he more difficult because Saleh is still Americans want to reach a serious sands of Libyan citizens. underscored that she has a most disturbing comments Even in times of war, there is al- in Sanaa. Majority of the Syrian solution, they must first agree on were his effusive praise of ways hope for a political settle- forces accepts a regime that, accord- Assad’s resignation. Issues like Russian President Vladimir ment even in Syria. The Syrian ing to them ensures coexistence, who will govern and who will vote, political opposition held a meet- protects the rights of the minori- in addition to the constitution are Putin, calling him a "leader, ing in London this week, represent- ties, and the principle of the ballot only details, as the differences on LETTER TO THE EDITOR far more than our president" ed by its negotiations committee, box The Iraq example Hijab’s sec- them are now limited. The majori- has been. and it announced its program. This ond example was Nouri al-Maliki, ty of the Syrian forces accepts a Trump added that he coincided with the negotiations the former Iraqi prime minister. He regime that, according to them en- held at the G20 summit in China. I obstructed the government’s oper- sures coexistence, protects the could develop a good rela- do not want to refer to uncertain ations for almost two years in order rights of the minorities, and the tionship with Putin and said information and say that the par- to dominate over it, and refused to principle of the ballot box. The it would be "wonderful" if the ties have agreed, and the only re- leave when the time for that came. remaining part of the political so- US would work together maining step is negotiating where He made the circumstances related lution, as presented by Hijab on President Bashar al-Assad will be to security as an excuse. He then three stages, reflects the maturity with Russia against ISIL. sent to live in exile. The negotia- tried to exploit his authority to stay of the opposition, which is ready He seemed to ignore the tions focused on the start of new in power. When all the Iraqi forces to accept a realistic solution. It will fact that the Obama admin- talks within an ambiguous vision. went against him, and the interna- certainly remain as ideas if the Recently, over 100 female cadets of the Afghan National Army completed their edu- istration was trying to The most important point is what tional forces intervened and threat- major powers do not support it. Riyad Hijab, the coordinator and ened him, he withdrew. But he re- Without such a solution, the world cation in Turkey and returned back home to serve the country. achieve this very goal but leader of the opposition, said. He tained powers and lead militias un- will have to sit on the same table They newly cadets are committed to stand beside their fellow, in defending their has not been successful be- said he is also trying to simplify der different names and even suc- with terrorist groups and accept cause Russia's chief aim is the complex labels and divisions ceeded in marginalizing his succes- the resignation of Assad, so that a country form anti-government elements. sor. The results are evident today. group like Taliban Afghanistan, An official during graduation ceremony said that the role of women in army is vital to shore up Syrian President within the opposition. Hijab clear- Bashar al-Assad. ly said that al-Assad should not There is chaos in the political arena, which is now in control, takes pow- and the 109 female officers will start serving with the army I specific posts. be part of any solution and cited obstruction of the government’s er. Assad will step down at a later Defense ministry has allocated 10 percent of the posts in the army to women and All in all, the Command- the examples of Yemen and Iraq. operations and the role of the Irani- stage and the political opposition er-in-Chief forum was a He reminded everyone that a weak ans in governing and administering will lose its popularity. This arti- girls. slight advantage for Clinton solution, which leaves space for the affairs of the military. Al-Assad cle was first published in Asharq The graduation comes as efforts are underway to increase the presence of women because she seemed more an excluded president, leads to in Syria might not resemble al-Ma- al-Awsat on Sept. 9, 2016. Abdul- in army and police ranks in the country. more destruction later on. While liki in Iraq because the latter was a rahman al-Rashed is the former comfortable with the issues, signing the agreement to end the legitimate ruler, but the condition General Manager of Al Arabiya Anil Khan, Kabul, Afghanistan minus the ongoing email crisis in Yemen, the opposition of Saleh is identical to that of As- News Channel. A veteran and in- server controversy. parties agreed on the mediators’ sad. Yemenis revolted against him ternationally acclaimed journalist, Letter to editor will be edited for policy, content and clarity. All letters must Gregory Aftandilian is a condition, which states that the all over the country during the Arab he is a former editor-in-chief of the have the writer’s name and address. You may send your letters to: ousted president Ali Abdullah Spring and they all agreed on his London-based leading Arab daily [email protected] lecturer in the Pardee School Saleh only has a role in the party resignation. Allowing him to stay Asharq al-Awsat, where he still of Global Studies at Boston and not in the government. The and work in Yemen was the wrong regularly writes a political column. University and is a former result was that Saleh took advan- decision. Assad in power Hijab is He has also served as the editor of US State Department Mid- tage and worked with the Houthi right when he fears that the Yemeni Asharq al-Awsat’s sister publica- dle East analyst. opposition to intervene and creat- example will be repeated. Al-Assad tion, al-Majalla. Throughout his ca- Disclaimer: ed political sabotage. Saleh forged will always a source of danger if he reer, Rashed has interviewed sev- The views expressed in relations with the Houthi militias remains part of the proposed re- eral world leaders, with his arti- The views and opinions expressed in the articles are this article are the author's through his armed forces and they gime, or if he is only sitting on a cles garnering worldwide recogni- those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views or own and do not necessarily staged a coup together. As a result, couch in his house watching televi- tion, and he has successfully led reflect Al Jazeera's editorial Yemen plummeted into a deeper sion. He is capable of sabotaging Al Arabiya to the highly regarded, opinions of the Afghanistan Times. crisis with more people losing their the political solution and the situa- thriving and influential position it policy. lives and institutions damaged. tion and the war will continue be- is in today. He tweets @aalrashed SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES Belarus: Will new elections yield new results? MINSK: A radiant morning sun As well as limited access to groups, which have so far been young independent parliamentary streams through lace curtains and the vote count itself, opposition publicly divided on whether to candidate who ran a high-profile, into the kitchen of a Soviet-era groups cite a system of early vot- participate in elections they believe grassroots campaign in last year's housing block on the outskirts of ing, in which about 30 percent of to be unfair, made stunned efforts presidential elections, participat- Minsk. Three opposition politi- the population is believed to par- to unite. ing this year is an opportunity to cians are gathered around a table in ticipate, as among the methods of One such effort to unite is the build trust among the electorate. NEW YORK: Last September, "Great Satan" and part of an "Axis faced blowback from hawkish US the centre of the room from where falsifying the ballots. Belarus National Congress, an al- "Even though our campaign many Iranian Americans hoped of Evil" since Iran's religious revo- lawmakers, Cullis added. they are coordinating a campaign Yauheni Preiherman, policy liance of eight parties and trade didn't agree with the official result that US President Barack Obama's lution of 1979. "The nuclear accord's detrac- to observe upcoming elections. director at the Liberal Club in Min- unions fronted by formerly impris- of last year's presidential elections, nuclear accord with Iran marked Washington's decades-old trade tors have really taken the scalpel For the past three months, this sk, told Al Jazeera that western oned 2010 presidential candidate and the central elections commit- the start of a diplomatic thaw that embargo bars US citizens from and tried to tear this thing to piec- sparsely furnished top-floor apart- nations will closely scrutinising Mikhail Statkevich, an old guard tee hasn't implemented meaning- would make it easier for them to supplying goods, services or tech- es," he told Al Jazeera. ment has served as the office - and September's elections - the last in of the opposition. ful changes to the electoral system live in the US and deal with folks nology to Iran or its government. Meanwhile, Iranian-American occasionally the living quarters - Belarus until 2020 when presiden- Although Belarusian appetite since, it's improve dialogue in so- back home. Family remittances are exempt, but academics say that the embargo of a coalition of Belarusian oppo- tial and parliamentary elections will for popular protest has been min- ciety and promote peaceful This week, one year after Con- even these are difficult because di- still stops important research sition parties, Right to Choose, be held together - as a gauge for imal since 2011 when widespread change," she told Al Jazeera in her gress allowed that deal to pass, rect US-Iran bank transfers are projects. Narges Bajoghli, 34, an who will deploy more than a thou- future relations with Lukashenko. protests were violently repressed, offices in central Minsk. many say they were short- impossible. This impacts many anthropologist at New York Uni- sand observers and a phone appli- "The fact that the Central Elec- Statkevich has already called for "Ours is a long-term strategy changed. Visa rules are tougher Iranian Americans, including stu- versity, said college dons often nix cation as part of a campaign to tions Committee (CEC) has imple- street protests on September 12, for change, a kind of political mar- now; and Washington’s unilateral dents at US colleges, who struggle visits to Iran because they are document irregularities on the day mented three out of 30 recommen- after the results are announced. athon, which will continue after embargo on Iran has barely to get money from back home to "scared of being sued by the gov- of the ballot. The group's initial dations made by the OSCE follow- "There can be no free elections elections in 2020." changed, making routine money pay tuition fees, and others who ernment". report on this year's elections was ing presidential elections last year while Lukashenko is in power," he "If there were a fair vote transfers a risky business. have a hard time receiving their in- She described archaeological unequivocal. In July, Right to and claimed there wasn't time to told Al Jazeera while sitting in his count, some opposition candidates And, Donald Trump, the Re- heritance or settling the estates of digs and sociology trips being Choose estimated that, "the polit- legally implement others is at least garden recently, "and although tak- would likely be elected," a repre- publican presidential hopeful who deceased parents in Iran. blocked this past year, even when ical and legal environment in Be- a demonstration of progress and a ing to the streets is not the most sentative of an international organ- wants to regulate entry to the US Many turn to hawala, an ho- the research "doesn’t come close larus remains unchanged and willingness to maintain a dialogue ideal form of protest, it's the only isation that follows Belarusian for Muslims, is not making life any nour-based banking network of the to national security" concerns. "It doesn't enable the conduct of free, with the West," Preiherman told peaceful option available to us." politics told Al Jazeera, "particu- easier. "The nuclear deal with Iran Middle East. Transfers are usual- prevents knowledge production; it fair and competitive elections that Al Jazeera. Belarusian political analyst larly in those districts where can- has benefited Europeans and loos- ly above board, but the system is goes against everything we stand offers equal opportunities for all The chairwoman of the CEC Siarhei Bohdan described the par- didates have been running grass- ened up sanctions there, but there's prey to money-launderers and ter- for," she told Al Jazeera. competing candidates". Lidia Yermoshina, who in 2006 was ties in the Congress as politically roots civic actions and working been no relief for Iranian Ameri- rorism financiers. US police probes A US Treasury spokeswom- Dzianis Sadouski, national co- banned by western officials from unsophisticated who have little to with voters between elections." cans," Tina Monshipour Foster, a and prosecutions can follow. an acknowledged that US citizens ordinator and general secretary of entering the United States or the offer besides repeating what the For Dzianis Sadouski, who New York City lawyer for clients Last year's deal between Iran, "continue to be generally prohib- the Belarusian Christian Democ- European Union over allegations electorate already know - that elec- has been arrested by authorities of Persian heritage, told Al Jazeera. the US and five other world pow- ited from engaging in most trans- racy party [Sergei Gapon/Al of election fraud, responded to ac- tions and unfair and non-transpar- during three previous election pe- "US officials often don't un- ers, which curtailed Tehran's nu- actions or dealings with Iran … Jazeera] "For our campaign to have cusations on state-run television ent. "Even though the government riods, political change in Belarus derstand the embargo law and are clear projects in exchange for sanc- even after the implementation" of confidence in the vote, local and in August. doesn't like to give opposition par- is a long-term prospect. overzealous in their prosecutions." tions relief, raised hopes that Iran's the nuclear deal. international observers should "Let us not forget that the op- ties a large stake in national poli- "If I didn't believe it were pos- One of her clients, a freelance banks would quickly join the glo- But, she added, some "non- have complete access to polling position, as usual, are preparing tics, opposition parties have an sible to bring democratic change to Iranian-American interpreter, re- bal economy. commercial, personal remittances" stations to oversee the count itself for defeat," she said. "To prepare obligation to find an opportunity Belarus, I would leave with my ceived a $3,000 payment from a Major European banks were continue to be allowed. Tougher and voter turnout rates," Dzianis for this loss, the opposition needs to participate. Unless parties can wife and three children to a demo- European publisher for working on expected to start transacting with visa rules Money is not the only Sadouski, the campaign's national to spoil - to defame - the reputa- develop a mandate that attract cratic country in Europe. But I am a book. Unwittingly, they cited the their Iranian counterparts, mean- issue for an Iranian-American coordinator and general secretary tion of those who conduct the elec- popular support, a coalition isn't here, and I believe it is my obliga- reason for the payment as: "Farsi ing they could act as intermediar- community that keeps strong ties of the Belarusian Christian Democ- tion." Yermoshina added that it going to gain traction - zero plus tion to help bring that change. The translation". ies for money transfers between with relatives. Some 64 percent racy party, told Al Jazeera. was not the electoral system that zero still equals zero," he said. Soviet Union was a powerful coun- The bank reported this to US relatives in the US and Iran. This connect with family and friends Predetermined election? threatened free and fair elections, For Tatyana Korotkevich, the try too. It fell in one day." officials, who froze the transfer. has not happened. overseas several times a month; On September 11, Belarus will but the opposition's attempts to, "There was no violation of sanc- They are wary of being target- more than one-third travel back hold parliamentary elections, the "provoke acts of disobedience." tions, no illegal activity. Just the ed by US regulators - and with good occasionally. results of which, opposition 'To prepare for the [election] use of the word Farsi caused the reason. In 2014, the US fined In January, the US imposed groups say, are already predeter- loss, the opposition needs to spoil money to be frozen, and a whole France's top bank, BNP Paribas, tougher visa rules on members of mined by the Belarusian govern- - to defame - the reputation of those lot of trouble in getting it back," an eye-watering $9bn over banned 38 nationalities - including most ment. President Alexander Lukash- who conduct the election,' said said Foster. transactions involving Iran, Sudan Europeans and some Asians - who enko's 22-year tenure as the pre- Lidia Yermoshina, Belarus election The translator, who asked not and Cuba. Investment 'top priori- have recently travelled to Iran, miere of Belarus has been marred, committee chairwoman [Sergei to be identified, spent time and ty' In June, Iranian Foreign Minis- Syria, Iraq or Yemen. Extra restric- not only by perennial accusations Gapon/Al Jazeera] more than $3,000 to release the ter Mohammad Javad Zarif said tions were also imposed on dual of abuses from rights groups at Marginalised opposition funds. Other clients have had bank the "psychological remnants" of citizens. That law was passed by home and abroad, but also of alle- Despite that Belarusians in- accounts closed and been barred curbs on Iran were still deterring a Republican-dominated Congress gations of election fraud. creasingly blame the government from opening new ones, often with business, and that Washington after the deadly Paris attacks. Hadi Following the iron-fisted rul- for their struggling economy and little by way of explanation, add- should do more to encourage banks Ghaemi, an Iranian American who er's re-election to a fifth term last that Lukashenko's approval ratings ed Foster. to engage with Tehran. runs the International Campaign October, observers for the Organ- are historically low, the opposi- "For the banks, it's not worth Many Iranian Americans agree. for Human Rights in Iran, said the isation for Security and Coopera- tion has largely failed to inspire the risk of a big government fine, According to a Zogby Research new rules made it harder for many tion in Europe reported that the the public to become active par- even when transactions are legiti- Services poll in March, more than academics, businessmen and other electoral process, "once again in- ticipants in politics. mate," said Foster. half of 400 respondents said that Europeans with Middle Eastern dicated that Belarus still has a con- "Opposition parties are in Bank transfers impossible letting Americans invest in Iran was connections to visit the US easily. siderable way to go in meeting its their weakest state in years," Al Jazeera spoke with several a "top priority". More than a third All these issues - from US foreign OSCE commitments for democrat- Preiherman said. "This is a prod- Iranian Americans who said a said it was time to lift the embar- policy to fears of terrorism and ic elections." Measures taken by uct of Lukashenko and his regime's heavy-handed approach continued go. According to Tyler Cullis, a le- Muslim migrants - have rolled into the country's Central Elections strategy, which has been to make long after the Iran deal was passed. gal fellow at the National Iranian a 2016 presidential campaign that Committee to liberalise this year's sure the opposition is marginalised. Many cited cases of discrimina- American Council, a lobby group, pits Trump, a raucous property campaigning and electoral process, And the opposition has so far tion, but wished to remain anony- at least one major European bank mogul, against Democrat Hillary which include giving candidates failed to offer Belarusian society mous for fear of irking sanctions is poised to start transacting with Clinton. Ahead of the November 8 five minutes to appear on state- something new that would attract officials. Iranian institutions "within the vote, Clinton speaks of maintain- run television and allowing observ- significant public interest and sup- There are an estimated one next 12 months". ing Obama's nuclear accord, but ers marginally better access at poll- port." million Iranian Americans. Many Iran nuclear deal one year on: Trump decries a "disastrous deal" ing stations on election day, have Following President Lukash- describe themselves as victims of Expectations vs reality and calls for restraints on Mus- been dismissed by the opposition enko's re-election to a fifth term in tensions between two nations that Despite that glimmer of light lims coming to the US to stop more and analysts alike as cosmetic. October last year, opposition have derided each other as the on the horizon, the nuclear deal has San Bernardino-style attacks.

Raised by a mother and uncle who ers, builders - they were all against Hines/Al Jazeera] Many went to ina, my sister, was more timid, but read or write and his plan was to One day the woman of the that sort of thing. But when I got were active in the resistance against what the government was doing. Santiago and from there to Sierra Andrea and I went to his aunt's end that. Of course, I signed up house said to us, "We think of you there the people said, "There's Cuba's pre-revolution Batista gov- We'd be out there throwing things Maestra, the mountains where Fi- house, hugging the walls all the and they asked me to go to the as part of the family, but next time nowhere for you to stay." ernment, 88-year-old Gladys at the police - nails, tins - them del and his group were hiding. Ei- way. His aunt was astonished to villages in the Escambray Moun- you come back, don't come dressed So I went to sleep in the chalet Sanchez Espinosa joined the chasing after us, even on horses, ther my sister or I would go to the see us. "What's going on?" she tains; places where there was noth- in olive green [the uniform]." It of the farm owner who'd fled. It Young Communists when she was us, always running. bus station with those who were asked. "Pablo wants you to send ing - not a single school, lots of seemed the bandits had threatened was completely empty, the only 14. After the revolution had suc- The home of Gladys Sanchez leaving so that they didn't attract him a sweater." children, but none knew how to to kill the family if we carried on thing it had was one of those old- ceeded and Fidel Castro introduced Espinosa. When Gladys was a any attention. But at home, every- By the 30th you couldn't go read or write. And so we'd go to there. style telephones that you had to his literacy campaign, she became child, this house was a meeting thing got worse. anywhere. Bullets in the street see the areas' farm owners to see if Soon after, the farm owner wind up which the Haitians [who a brigadista in it, travelling to re- place for the PSP [Sylvia Hines/ In this block, people weren't from every side. We stood in the they'd make a school. came and said that we couldn't give had come to work on sugar har- mote and dangerous parts of the Al Jazeera] After July 26, 1953, revolutionaries - far from it. There doorway and could hear the shots There were four in my group. any more classes in the family's vests] in the area used to come and country to teach children to read when Fidel tried to take Moncada, was the army captain who lived in going everywhere. Bang! Bang! It Two gave classes, and the other home because they'd threatened to use. But there was a shop next and write. Here she remembers the the PSP aligned with the rebels. front, and a family originally from was incredible. At about 3pm, a two would walk in the fields to burn his tobacco store. So we start- door, so I bought some things. early days of the revolution. We all had the same aim - to Cienfuegos who used to get visits small plane passed, we saw it from find the people who needed the ed teaching under a tree. Every day I'd go see how the As long as I live, I'll never for- overthrow the government. Gen- from Cornelio Rojas, the chief of the patio, and it dropped a black classes, and also teach them how We carried on like that for a young brigadistas were doing. get that time - it made me who I erally, at meetings, the only wom- police in Santa Clara. So there were ball that was the bomb that fell to cook. All they used to eat up while until one day we went down They'd tell me that they didn't am today. I was brought up by my en who were there were my two informers all around. And if they right on top of the courtroom. there was parboiled pumpkin, the mountain for a break. On the understand the Haitians, one of mother and my uncle. They were sisters and me - the rest were all denounced you and said you were Mum said, "How come you sweet potato. We four would pool way we saw Conrado Benitez in a them was frightened. There was very active in the resistance against men. I remember one day we heard a communist then you'd be taken saw that? What were you doing together what money we had and Jeep - he was also a member of the always something. And around 10 the government. So that's how the police coming. Everyone ran. prisoner and we never heard any- on the patio? You mustn't go out!" go down the mountains to buy literacy brigade - and he called to in the morning a small [American] they brought up my sisters and Some people hid under the bed, thing more of those ones. That was also the day the things to give them ideas for other us. "Are you going down? "Yes, plane would pass flying really low, me as well. others ran out of the back, jumped But, you know, we were nev- rebels derailed a train that was car- ways to use those staples. we're going down." "Have you got with a chain hanging out of it. And Our house - this house - was over the wall and ran through the er afraid. When you're young, you rying arms and soldiers to support I remember on December 25 your lantern?" All of the groups I said to myself, "What's that plane the meeting place for the Partido neighbour's garden - Cespedes he just don't understand danger. government soldiers down in San- we decided to have a small party. had a lantern, as there was no elec- doing with a chain hanging out?" I Socialista Popular (PSP), which was called, an artist - and I remem- One of my brothers was born tiago. El Che [Che Guevara] and The farm owner in that area lent tricity up in the mountains. "No, suppose it was bringing drugs, or was communist. I met nearly all ber him shouting, "What's going with a very large head and walked Camilo [Camilo Cienfuegos] had us the hut where he stored tobac- because we're coming back." "No! arms - I have no idea. the leaders of the PSP and the on? What's going on?" with a limp. He used to come at worked out a way to get the train co and we danced and had a great You can't go back there. You just One day, the shop owner said young communists as they used The car circled and then braked one or two in the morning, bring- off its tracks. And the word was time. tell me where you left it." And so to me, "Maestra! Do you realise to come here to plot their activi- hard in front of the house. My ing a radio so we could listen to everywhere: "They derailed the But after that, the bandits he went up. He'd wanted to take where you're staying?" ties. I joined the Young Commu- mother went and stood in the door- Radio Rebelde coming from the train, they killed this one, they [former Batista soldiers support- presents to the children where he'd "I don't know, a house." nists when I was 14. way and shouted at them. "What Sierra. He'd walk right in front of killed that one!" ed by the CIA] came and started been working - some toys, some "Yes, but don't you see? If they We were fighting for all the are you doing here? You can't come the policemen and yet, because he On the 31st, we hid underneath causing trouble in Escambray. We sweets. It was the beginning of [the sugar harvesters] start a fire things that now we have. Many in. And definitely not at this time dragged his feet, they never looked the table begging, "Oh please God would see them, hiding their faces January 1961 when we saw him, how are you going to get out?" people went hungry, many couldn't of night." The man who lived in at him. let this end." They parked a tank from us behind a towel, or what- and on the 6th the bandits shot "Well, through the door?" "Yes, read or write. There was a strong front - he was a captain in the army And so things went on like that right in front of the house. ever they had so that we wouldn't and killed him. It was after his but after the door, then where?" racial divide. Here, in Santa Clara, - came out and said, "What's going for some time - planning strikes, Then we heard - I don't know recognise them. Once I heard the death that they formalised the lit- And I looked and said to my- for example, the inner area of the on?" They said, "Well, we're here doing what we could. Then one day where it first came from, whether dogs going mad, barking in the mid- eracy campaign across Cuba and self, "It's true, where will I go?" I park was for whites only, and the because we've heard there are meet- a comrade came and said, "Make it was on the radio or what - that dle of the night and wondered, asked everyone who could read and realised that every path had sugar- outer area for blacks. ings here." food because the rebels are going [President] Batista had gone. And "What's bothering them?" So I got write to get involved. It was named cane all around and that if they set I went to the Marta Abreu And he said, "No way. You to take Santa Clara." I went to the when they said that everyone up to see what was going on and after Benitez. Those involved in light to the cane fields there'd be school. My family didn't have can't bother this family, this wom- shop and got rice, everything. poured out into the streets, and all realised that the owners of the same the Cuban literacy campaign were no way out. [It's common practice much money, but they made the an who lives on her own with her We'd heard they were going to the informers were packing up and house where we were staying were called Conrado Benitez brigadis- to burn the fields to make harvest- sacrifice to pay my school fees and children." And so they didn't come come on December 28. That night, running away. One of them even feeding the bandits. tas, named after the brigade mem- ing easier.] buy the books and materials I need- in. When we were sure they'd there were a few shots, but the tried to come into our house car- One evening during class - ber who was killed by bandits So I decided that the choice was ed. Most of the students there were gone, everyone crept out one by 29th - well you wouldn't believe rying his books and everything, classes were mostly held at night - [Sylvia Hines/Al Jazeera] Teach- to stay and possibly die, or to end children of the rich and powerful. one. Pablo went that way - Pablo it. There were snipers all around but my sister and I said, "Go, go, we heard a horn and one of the ing in Camaguey my participation in the campaign. I was one of very few poor ones. Rivalta who was the captain of the the central park, in Santa Clara Li- go!" and threw him out. I never family members jumped from They sent me off to Camagu- Of course I chose to stay. This meant that none of the others rebel army - well, everyone found bre [the hotel], the library and in heard what happened to him. He fright and said, "Oh a car! That ey, to the countryside near Mo- Another time I had a fever - I in the school were in favour of the their own way out. If the police the courtroom. And while all this was one of the worst. will be them [other brigadistas] ron. It was full of counter-revolu- don't know why. Maybe I got cold struggle so I spent a lot of time at had come in for sure they'd have was going on one of our comrades Take our quiz: How much do leaving the school at San Tilin." tionaries and a lot of racism too. one day after taking a bath out- the Escuela Normal where my sis- killed everyone on the spot when came to the house and brought a you know about Cuba? But that didn't make sense - why We'd sing the "L'internationale" side. There was a lady sitting in ters were. they saw all the papers and pro- note from Pablo Rivalta, who'd Castro's literacy campaign would they be leaving the school and the boys would all go, "These front of me and she said, "You're Every time there was a meet- paganda in the house. gone to the Sierra, saying could In 1960, Fidel made a speech at San Tilin at this time? So that teachers are communists!" feeling bad?" "Yes, yes," I said. "I ing or a strike, I'd be there. And Gladys Sanchez Espinosa, somebody go to his house and sort and asked everyone to join the lit- was when we began to suspect. They sent me with five briga- have a terrible fever." When I got there were lots of strikes - the to- now 88, joined the Young Com- out getting a sweater to him be- eracy campaign. There were huge Then we found that the bandits distas, young girls, 13 or 14 years home the fever had gone. But the bacco workers, electricity work- munists when she was 14 [Sylvia cause it was so cold up there. Re- numbers of people who couldn't had set fire to the school there. old, for me to guide and look after, next day the men all looked at me. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Tripoli: Lebanon’s gate to rebuilding Syria awaits development Northern Lebanon hosts around 36 per cent of the poor people in Lebanon, a new World Bank re- port said. Ninety per cent of the workers in Tripoli, the country’s second largest city, are not regis- tered formally, and they constitute Abu Dhabi’s state-run Mubadala 38 per cent of the work force in Development Co. wealth fund has the city. The report stressed that announced it lost $1.19 billion in the economy of northern Lebanon the first half of 2016. is weak and the main activities are In results released on Thurs- concentrated in agriculture and real day, it blamed lower commodity estate while industry and trade are prices, decreased gains in financial more prevalent in Tripoli. But po- investments and other woes for the litical and social instability play a loss. That compares to a net gain vital role in outflow of investments. of $169 million the same time last For example, Mount Lebanon year. dominates 60 per cent of real es- Mubadala CEO Khaldoon tate investments in Lebanon while Khalifa al-Mubarak said in a state- the North attracts only 6 per cent, ment that “the global economic with foreign investments lagging. challenges we have faced since the The report mentions projects beginning of 2015 persist.” worth $229 million in the north- Merger ern province which target 33 per Mubadala is in the process of cent of the infrastructure that will being merged with the International vitalize the productivity of busi- Petroleum Investment Co., anoth- nesses. The World Bank said most er wealth fund in Abu Dhabi, the investors in the private sector tend oil-rich capital of the UAE. to launch small businesses. The Mubadala’s holdings include exceptions were six companies semiconductor maker Global- employing large numbers of peo- foundries and renewable energy ple, such as Hallab sweets which company Masdar, as well as has more than 500 employees. stakes in General Electric Co. and Some private sector companies The Carlyle Group. employ 200 workers in sectors such as tourism and printing, while 54 per cent of employees work in companies which do not employ Nawaz promises more than 9 workers, and 41 per cent are employed in businesses, to address which have a maximum of 5 em- ployees. Only 15 per cent of the exporters’ woes, businesses in the north are regis- tered legally compared to 37 per cent in Mount Lebanon and 50 per makes another cent in Beirut. The growth achieved in Tripoli’s economy has not re- committee flected in new jobs, according to the report. One of the main chal- KARACHI: In a bid to arrest de- lenges there is the continued in- clining exports, Prime Minister flow of Syrian refugees who now Nawaz Sharif and his economic account for around 32 per cent of team have promised to resolve Tripoli’s inhabitants, and that in- pressing issues like ‘exorbitant creases social pressures as well as costs’ and constituted yet another exacerbates economic fragility. committee to recommend mea- Rebuilding Syria Tripoli has a role sures in a week or two to make the to play in the future of Syria in the country’s exports competitive in postwar era with its ability to pro- the international markets. vide all the required logistics sup- “The committee would submit SHANGHAI: China’s car market year earlier. China’s car sales fell try participants and analysts have inventories at healthy levels, said from the same time last year, say- port. The city can also play a vital its set of recommendations after notched another substantial gain in for three months in a row in the expressed concern that growth the China Automobile Dealers As- ing all its brands saw gains. Ford’s role in creating a link between large- Eid (falling next week),” Miftah August, as consumers continued summer of 2015, when plummet- could stall next year in the world’s sociation, a government-backed car sales rose 22% to 96,450 vehi- sized companies in Beirut which Ismail, Board of Investment chair- to take advantage of a tax break to ing stock prices disrupted pur- largest car market. trade group. Nationwide, the av- cles, Honda’s were up 36% at are willing to enter Syria, especial- man, told The Express Tribune buy vehicles while the market’s chases of big ticket items includ- “We hope the policy can con- erage inventory at dealerships was about 106,600 cars and Nissan’s ly that these companies have ac- after PM Nawaz met the business growth reflected comparative ing cars. In a bid to resuscitate the tinue,” said Mr. Shi, adding that equivalent to about 43 days of sales gained 17% at 103,800. Volk- cumulated experience after the end community. The meeting lasted for weakness in the year-earlier peri- auto industry, Beijing in October the association plans to request in the past two months, the asso- swagen AG hasn’t disclosed its of the Lebanese civil war, the re- about three hours. od. Foreign and domestic auto halved the 10% purchase tax on that the central government extend ciation said. Anything above 45 August shipments. port mentioned. Ghassan Shami, Pakistan Stock Exchange makers delivered about 1.8 million vehicles with engines no larger than the tax benefit. days is considered unhealthy for SUVs and crossovers remained secretary General of Traders As- among top 10 global markets: PM cars including sedans, sport-utili- 1.6 liters. More than 70% of cars The automotive industry has dealers. the biggest winners in terms of sociation in Tripoli, said that the He said the committee would look ty vehicles and minivans to deal- sold in China qualify for the tax been one of the few bright spots in Overall vehicle sales of pas- growth in August. More than city has become a need for all par- into issues being faced by export- ers last month, up 26% from a year break, said Shi Jianhua, a deputy China’s economy, which is strug- senger and commercial vehicles in- 654,000 SUVs and crossovers ties who are looking at the recon- ers, especially whether the govern- earlier, the China Association of secretary-general of the manufac- gling with a lingering slowdown and creased by 24% in august from a combined were sold in China, 44% struction era in Syria. Speaking to ment has room to cut tariffs of elec- Automobile Manufacturers said turers’ group. In the first eight overcapacity. Consumer inflation year earlier, to 2.1 million. more than a year earlier, according Al Arabiya English, Shami said: tricity, gas and water for exporting Friday. August was the fourth con- months of this year, auto makers recorded its smallest increase in Many auto makers reported to the manufacturers’ group. In the “Tripoli is the gate not only be- industries. secutive month in which sales grew sold 14.4 million cars, up 13% from August since October, government strong sales in China in the month. year to date, 16.8 million motor cause it is 40 kms away from the Ismail said the government has at a double-digit rate. Recent gains a year earlier. data showed Friday. General Motors Co. delivered vehicles including cars, trucks and borders but also because the Leba- overcome the energy crisis for in- haven't come as a surprise given With the tax break due to ex- Thanks to quickening demand about 293,500 vehicles to Chinese buses have been sold, 11% more nese government decided to re- dustries, which have remained ex- the market’s poor performance a pire at the end of the year, indus- for cars, dealers maintained their consumers last month, up 18% than the previous year. launch the train services between empted from power and gas load- the city and the Syrian side with shedding for quite a long time now. $50 million in investments.” Shami “Industries are being supplied elec- explained that three World Bank tricity and gas 24 hours {and sev- delegates visited Tripoli lately to en days a week}. Now, the gov- stress on the importance of pre- ernment would look into ways as paring the city to be a suitable plat- to how to cut tariffs,” he said. form for every side willing to en- The idea of cutting tariffs is to ter the Syrian reconstruction make cost of exports equivalent to phase. “We have a well-equipped regional and international level so port which can be a real gateway that the exporters can become com- with some development. It is 15.5 petitive, he said. meter deep which enables it to host The committee is comprised large ships and it has got new of Ismail, Haroon Akther, special equipment to lift large-size con- assistant to the Prime Minister on tainers.” But Shami stressed the revenue, Muhammad Ali Tabba of city can do even better if well de- Lucky Cement, Fawad Anwar and veloped. “Since 2014, local fight- others. ing among domestic sectarian fac- “The government is striving tions stopped and we were prom- hard to end power outages (nation- ised that security will be accom- wide) by 2018,” he said. Rice ex- panied by investments and devel- ports: PM Office awaits input of opment. In fact, we haven’t seen finance ministry Karachi Chamber anything but increase in unemploy- of Commerce and Industry Presi- ment, with the fighters themselves dent Younus Muhammad Bashir have become unemployed.” Road who later in the day joined PM map The World Bank report de- Nawaz at the Pakistan Stock Ex- scribes a road map about what can change’s Top 25 Companies award be done to overcome the challeng- ceremony, said “Pakistan’s cost of es which hinder the economy in exports remains 8-9% higher than north Lebanon, and stressed the its regional and international com- importance of creating 20,000 jobs petitors.” Vietnam, Sri Lanka, during the next five years through Bangladesh, India and China are development, mainly in the poor- some of the prominent competi- er areas, especially those where tors of Pakistan, said Bashir. Syrian refugees exist. Twitter shares drop as pressure for growth mounts Twitter shares were down nearly users. The report showed Twit- and messaging platform,” six percent at the close of trading ter’s loss narrowed to $107 mil- equity research firm BTIG on Thursday as pressure mounted lion in the second quarter from said in a note to investors. to ignite growth or find a suitor for $136 million a year earlier. “Twitter is still basically the global one-to-many messaging Significantly for investors, the what it was when we first service. number of monthly active users started using it in 2008.” The company’s shares ended edged up to 313 million, up three The company has the official trading day on the New percent from a year ago and only been seeking to expand its York Stock Exchange at $18.70, slightly more than the 310 million reach with live video and having lost $1.17. in the past quarter. an array of partnerships The stock slide came as re- Revenue rose 20 percent from in sports and the political ports swirled that Twitter’s board a year earlier to $602 million, but field. However, many an- met to consider ways to cut costs, lagged behind expectations. alysts remain skeptical ramp up revenue, and maybe even Twitter has never posted a about whether Twitter can sell itself or properties such as vid- profit since its keenly anticipated reverse its fortunes. eo-snippet sharing service Vine or stock market debut in 2013, but Online video is one of mobile application-building plat- has been ramping up its advertis- the social network’s latest form Fabric. ing efforts to bring in revenue. initiatives aimed at invig- Twitter has been the subject Twitter co-founder Jack Dors- orating its platform in the of takeover rumors for months, ey returned to the CEO job last face of stagnating user with speculation about potential year in a bid to boost growth and ranks and persistent fi- suitors ranging from Google and user engagement, with shares nancial losses. Microsoft to telecommunication slumping on concerns the compa- Twitter stock has lost giants, Disney, and Rupert Mur- ny is failing to keep pace in the two thirds of its value doch’s News Corp. fast-growing world of social me- since hitting a historic Twitter’s most recent quarter- dia. peak a few weeks after ly earnings report showed more “Twitter has struggled to making its debut on Wall losses for the struggling social me- evolve from a passive, mobile-first, Street in November of dia platform, which has seen slug- RSS news reader on steroids to a 2013 at an IPO price of gish growth in revenues and active fully engaging, interactive media $26. SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES

VENICE: Film director Pablo Lar- rain said his portrayal of Jacque- line Kennedy, in the aftermath of her husband’s assassination, is not a biopic but a chance to look at an intriguing and painful story from the point of view of the former first lady herself. Larrain was at the Venice Film Festival where Jackie, starring Natalie Portman, premiered on Wednesday, compet- ing against 19 other movies for the coveted Golden Lion that will be awarded on Saturday. The movie shows Kennedy in the first week after the assassination, as she struggles to come to terms with the tragedy and her own grief. At the same time, she seeks to com- fort her two young children and prepare her husband’s funeral in a way that will make his death mean- ingful but also allow her to be re- membered as more than a fashion icon.

It's an ubiquitous fact that Katrina Apart from the rage the song The midriff of Katrina which Kaif has entranced everyone with had created everywhere; Katrina's has become a talking point of the her dance and beauty in Kala midriff which is prominent in the town has not come handy for the Chashma. Katrina Kaif's midriff song has become the quintessen- actress. Katrina has really worked had created a storm over social tial point of discussion among the hard for her uber famous midriff. media & now the actress is all set youth and all over. The gorgeous actress had to to bequeath her fans with a fitness Every girl in the country now follow a strict work out regime manual which she followed to wants a sleek and enviable figure along with a diet plan which has achieve her midriff and toned fig- like Katrina post Kala Chashma worked wonders for her. ure. Just like Kala Chashma lin- song is out, & boys are gaga about Katrina is very happy with the gered on everybody's minds, there her beauty and toned midriff. response she has got for Kala is a huge demand from her fans who Achieving the fab bod Katrina Chashma, and she is also happy want to know her fitness regime did for 'Baar Baar Dekho' isn't ev- with the appreciation she has got and the diet she followed. erybody's cup of tea. There was a for her midriff. Unlike you would expect, Kat- lot of hard work and dedication The actress is so exulted that rina happily obliged and she will that went into becoming who Kat she wants to treat her fans with a be sharing her diet chart as well as became. But it surely is worth a fitness manual now. workout regime for her fans to fol- try, because hey, who wouldn't like So girl, get ready to let go and low to get a fab body like hers. that hot and sizzling avatar? gain much more!

Suki Waterhouse The Bad Batch star attended the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival looking breath taking in a pink sequined Dolce & Gabbana gown. As the outfit clung to her curves and pooled at her feet, the supermodel looked every bit a princess. We loved how the blonde beauty opted for a look devoid of any accessories and kept her make up minimal, keeping the focus on her gown. Gold and silver embroidery on the neckline and a belt made for the perfect finishing touches.

Bella Hadid

The 19-year-old turned heads at the Anything but low key: Hiddleston to 2016 GQ Men of the Year Awards and become yet another Swift song accepted the Hugo When Taylor Swift got together with actor Tom Boss Model of the Hiddleston during the summer this year, people Year trophy in a joked that she probably needed new ideas for an album. Perhaps they were right, because the stunning blush, off- crooner recently announced her break up with the-shoulder crepe the Thor star after a highly publicised, short lived affair. The former couple officially gown whipped up announced the end of their relationship on by Jason Wu for Tuesday, but there’s quite a bit of bitterness Boss. The figure- involved from both ends, reported Mirror. One can only imagine the smile on Calvin Harris’ hugging dress fit face right now. According to Swift’s friends, the Bella like a glove, Grammy award-winning singer grew frustrated after she suspected that Hiddleston was only almost as though it using her to amplify his public image. She was had been also not okay with him trying to make their customised for her. relationship very public. The actor on the other hand, simply stated that he had become tired of Wearing a double- her.“Taylor is in her mid-twenties and enjoys stranded diamond dating men. So what? She’ll carry on until one of them turns out to be the real deal. She’s not choker and metallic pressing any panic button yet,” shared a source sandals, the newbie close to Swift. “She’s frustrated that he turned was a sure-fire out to be a different person than she originally thought. She will also not be giving too much stand-out thought to all the talk about her history of brief relationships.” SATURDAY . SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 AFGHANISTANTIMES JJ Delaney: Tipperary are deserving All-Ireland Conor Benn says he's "more re- dad was. I know every choice I champions spectful" than his legendary father make I feel like he's there. Then I Nigel - but only due to the influ- remember that's just how I've been And so the curtain comes down ence of 'The Dark Destroyer.' raised. I want to go out there and on another season. It was one that By his own admission, former spend lots of money living a crazy began slowly enough but really two-weight world champion Ni- life but I know not to. I don't need exploded near the end. gel Benn led a wild lifestyle out of my dad there holding my hand. We were treated to three great the ring and now son Conor - Conor Benn "I want to go out there semi-finals and the final was ex- known simply as 'The Destroyer' and spend lots of money living a plosive too. - is determined to stick to lessons crazy life but I know not to. I don't I would say that for any neu- learned from cautionary tales. need my dad there holding my hand tral it was a great game but for the Benn, who fights Silvije Ke- - I know right from wrong. I will Tipperary and Kilkenny fans it bet on the undercard of Gennady make wrong choices but I know must have made for nerve-wrack- Golovkin v Kell Brook - live on he's there if I need a shoulder to ing watching. Sky Sports Box Office on Satur- lean on. "Every three days, I talk Obviously, being from Kilken- day night - told Sky Sports: "I'm to him and catch up. He asks me ny and having played with the lads aware of a few [of the things he how I got my blue tick and I tell for so long my heart goes out to did] and I plan on going down a him he's old news! We have that them. Losing an All-Ireland final is different route. banter and we have a properly heart-breaking and Croke Park is "He tells me about his mis- good relationship." Benn has pro- not a nice place to be when that takes and I know the pitfalls. He's duced two first-round knockouts whistle sounds and you're on the raised me differently and raised me in his three-fight career and at the losing side. All you want to do is well. "I'm a bit more tamed, well- age of 19, looks set for a big fu- get out of there. mannered and respectful than my ture. The Sky Sports GAA panel discuss Tipperary's thrilling All- Ireland final victory over Kilken- ny I don't know why but it's the ones you lose that sometimes lin- UFCheavyweight ger longer than the ones you win. Maybe all sportspeople are like that, I don't know but you could just see the devastation on Alistair the Kilkenny lads' faces as they sat watching the Tipp boys lift the cup. And in the end Tipperary by far deserved to win that game. Overeem's career They were out ahead of us in many ways. The first thing I would pin- point in the final was Tipp's move- in five phases ment in the full-forward line. They were constantly rotating, switch- ing positions and darting into the Alistair Overeem has won a glit- this period also remains a career corners hoping for diagonal ball tering array of championships in highlight. Defeats to Hari and Dame Sarah Storey became Brit- from those outside them. MMA and kickboxing but suffered Remy Bonjasky in 2009 proved ain's most successful female Para- And that ball came into them plenty of adversity too. A UFC Overeem was still there for the tak- lympian as Britain won five gold in spades. Seamus Callanan, John heavyweight title would make him ing, but he was growing… literal- medals on day one in Rio. McGrath and Bubbles O'Dwyer uniquely decorated... ly. Home at heavyweight The 38-year-old swimmer- were on fire. There wasn't much in the ear- The athletic, slim-line frame turned-cyclist surpassed former The other thing is that the ly years to suggest Overeem would had long been eschewed in favour wheelchair racer Baroness Tanni Tipp half-forward line pulled the reach such heights. His body had of a muscle-bound physique that Grey-Thompson's mark as victo- Kilkenny half-backs out the field nowhere near filled out to today's fast-tracked Overeem's ascent to ry in the C5 3km individual pur- and this left huge space for the hulking frame and he competed heavyweight with mixed results. suit in the velodrome gave her a Tipp full-forwards to exploit. beneath the macho world of heavy- Through 2010 he earned significant 12th gold. They could make their runs, they weight. kickboxing results while defending Storey qualified in a world- could switch corners, they could Worryingly, he suffered three his Strikeforce title with aplomb. record time of three minutes run out onto the ball and see it stoppage defeats in his first 10 pro The Overeem of today had been 31.394 seconds - more than 17 sec- come into their paw. fights - an early sign of the vulner- born. onds quicker than Crystal Lane - All of that makes it impossi- abilities to come. "I can go back to There's so many moments I and overtook her team-mate before ble to defend. This area was piv- '99 when I first fought in MMA, can be proud of. I've defeated a lot the halfway point in the final to otal in them winning the game. Not and I started kickboxing aged 17 - of big names and I've got a string claim gold. Storey won her first only did the ball stick when it came I've not had many easy fights, these of belts hanging on my wall. two Paralympic gold medals as a into them but it pinned Kilkenny are all tough guys," he exclusively Alistair Overeem 14-year-old swimmer in Barcelo- right back too. Magnificent Ma- told Sky Sports. The Dutchman's best night to na in 1992, later switching to the hers The Maher brothers in the Japan became a frequent date may be when he dispatched bikes for Beijing in 2008. I'm just Tipperary half-back line were sim- stomping ground as the nation be- Tyrone Spong, Gokhan Saki and so relieved in many ways," said ply outstanding. In many ways came trail-blazers in MMA's Wild Aerts within minutes of each oth- Storey, who has three more chanc- they gave Tipp the platform to West but he couldn't maintain an er in a tournament to crown a kick- es for gold in the C4-5 road race, surge home. They were supreme early winning streak when the boxing world champion. C5 time trial and C4-5 500m time in the air and I think Ronan won competition intensified. "There's so many moments I trial. "Everyone was expecting it, nine balls in the air on his first day "2005 was very good, I beat can be proud of," he said. "I've but sport has a habit of throwing playing in an All-Ireland final at Vitor Belfort," Overeem said. But defeated a lot of big names and I've something in the mix. Dame Sarah centre-back. That says a lot about two wins against Belfort were got a string of belts hanging on my Storey talks to Sky about winning the lad and he was so dominant for scant consolation next to stoppage wall. 2010 was my championship gold at the Paralympics which a young man. defeats to Chuck Liddell, Fabricio year." made her Great Britain's most suc- His brother Paudie was just as Werdum, Ricardo Arona, Mauri- "I'm also proud of 2011 when cessful female Paralympian good as him. His point-scoring was cio 'Shogun' Rua and Antonio Rog- I defeated Fabricio Werdum who "Anything can go wrong, so on view, so too was his own bril- erio Noguera. By his 27th birth- [was] UFC heavyweight champ, you can never bank on it happen- liance in the air and I felt that he day, Overeem was a pin-cushion then beat Brock Lesnar," Overeem ing, but I'm in better shape than I distributed the ball very well too. of damage and needed a major said. Beating Werdum confirmed realised after breaking the world The wing-back slot suits him a lot change. The kickboxer the Dutchman as a world-class record, so I'm absolutely delight- more because he can just focus on "I beat Mark Hunt, Peter Aerts contender, and his UFC debut ed. "Winning on day one and my racing." in the velodrome as Steve Bate and silver medals for Jonathan Fox in that. In the centre-back position I and Badr Hari," Overeem reflect- yielded a vicious knockout win throwing down that gauntlet - The honour of Britain's first his tandem pilot Adam Duggleby the 100m backstroke S7 and Har- often wondered if he trying to do ed of this period where he turned a against Lesnar that sent the WWE showing people how fits and medal of the XV Paralympics went took gold the 4km pursuit after riet Lee in the 100m breaststroke too much, trying to cover here and major corner. A return to Overeem's crossover star tumbling into retire- strong i am - is obviously huge. to Megan Giglia, who won gold in setting a world record in qualify- S9. A personal best helped Andrew there and maybe he was caught kickboxing roots reignited his en- ment. It's great motivation to keep push- the C1-2-3 3km individual pursuit ing. The team's two other golds Mullen to bronze in the 200m fre- from time to time. But last Sun- gine. But two back-to-back knock- ing. moments prior to Storey. came in the pool, where Bethany estyle S5 and there was bronze, day the two brothers were on fire. A knockout win over future out losses came out of nowhere. "The 500m is the event I fully Giglia also clocked a world Firth retained the 100m backstroke too, for Stephanie Millward in the Brothers John (left) and Noel world champion Hari in 2008 was Suddenly the memories of those expect the sprinters to step up this record in qualifying in 4:03.544, S14 title and Ollie Hynd won the 400m freestyle S8. McGrath celebrate Tipperary's notable until victory over Aerts, early KO defeats came flooding time. If they don't I'll be right there more than eight seconds clear of 400m freestyle S8 final - again in a On the track, Jonnie Peacock All-Ireland win an all-time great, became the best back, and Overeem found himself to sweep it away from them like I the United States' Jamie Whitmore, world-record time. set a new Paralympic record of Brothers John (left) and Noel of the bunch. Submitting current in a land of heavy-hitters without did in London, then out to the road her rival in the final. Jessica-Jane Applegate took 10.81 as he qualified quickest for McGrath celebrate Tipperary's UFC heavyweight Hunt during the sturdiness to survive. which is where I do 99 per cent of Britain claimed a fourth medal bronze behind Firth, and there were Friday's 100m T44 final. All-Ireland win. Angelique Kerber beats Caroline Wozniacki to make US Open final as Serena Williams crashes out New world No 1 Angelique Ker- With a third Grand Slam final ber eased into the US Open final of the year on the horizon for the with victory over Caroline Wozni- German, who finished last year acki but it was a night to forget for ranked 10th, couldn't be distract- Serena Williams. ed despite realising her dream rise Williams suffered a shock de- to the top of the world rankings. feat in Arthur Ashe Stadium by Kerber, who beat Williams in Karolina Pliskova to end her pur- Melbourne before losing to her in suit of a record-breaking 23rd the final at Wimbledon, said: "I Grand Slam title, as well as losing was watching the match a little bit her status as the world's top play- before I came here but I was trying er. While Kerber celebrated her to focus on this match, not the new ranking by brushing her Dan- match before. "It's just incredible. ish opponent aside with a 6-4 6-3 It's a great day. To be here in the triumph, Williams said she was final for the first time, that means hampered by a knee injury on her a lot. To be No 1 in the world, it quest to surpass Steffi Graf's sounds amazing." "For me, it's just Open-era record of 22 major wins. amazing to be after Steffi the next Pliskova was in no mood for No 1 player in Germany," added sympathy on and off the court Kerber, who at 28 will become the though as she ruthlessly conquered oldest player to become No 1. the American 6-2 7-6 (7-5). "Steffi is a great champion, she's a "I have been having some seri- great person. I think she's proud ous left knee problems," Williams of me to be the next one after her." said. "I wasn't able to move the Kerber will now go up against way I wanted to move. Pliskova in Saturday's final. The "When you're injured, you're Czech star has never gone past the thinking of other things when you third round of a major tournament should be just playing and think- before and insists Williams' injury ing of your shots. My mind was should not take the gloss off her just a little bit everywhere. But it achievement. "I don't care," Plisk- was what it was." ova said. "Sometimes it is like this. Williams was reluctant to dis- Even me, I'm sometimes not play- cuss how long the injury might af- ing when I'm 100 per cent ready fect her and the rest of her sched- and I don't think others care. ule this year but was adamant she "If someone is not ready and was not affected by fatigue. she doesn't think she is ready, she However, the night at Flush- should not go on the court. But ing Meadows ended up with a ju- after the match I would say it's bilant Kerber showing her class to still her choice if she wants to dispose of Wozniacki. play." SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 10. 2016-Sunbula 20, 1395 H.S Vol:XI Issue No:47 Price: Afs.15