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AT News jihadi leader Abdul Rasoul Sayyaf. The meeting also discussed the formation of a nego- They talked about the current tiating delegation to start talks with Taliban. KABUL: Former President, Ha- situation in the country and the Karzai in his earlier meeting with Sayyaf, had dis- mid Karzai on Saturday met with post-election crisis. cussed the ongoing peace efforts.

AT News KABUL: The Independent Hu- man Rights Commission, de- nounced Friday’s attack on an event that killed and injured more than 100 people as the clear crime against humanity, calling on the security and judiciary organs to seriously investigate the incident. Two attackers began firing at people gathered in Dasht-e-Bar- chi neighborhood to commemo- rate the 25th death...

AT News

KABUL: The department of pub- lic health in Logar province says U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad and Taliban co- that about 44,000 people are suf- founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar sign a peace agreement during a ceremony fering from severe psychological in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Feb. 29. KARIM JAAFAR/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES diseases. The department said Saturday that the current war, AT News of Taliban is not acceptable and the international com- poor economic condition and con- munity and the United Nations will not support rein- servative traditions caused the KABUL: The United States and statement of such regime. The statement welcomed the mental diseases. Noor Abbas Qas- Russia on Saturday jointly an- agreement signed between US and Taliban and called it semi, deputy head... nounced that the Islamic Emirate a crucial step towards ending the... SUNDAY. MARCH, 08, 2020 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Kabul gat hering w ant s Doha deal fully enforced

KABUL: Thousands of Kabul eign,” he said. Tufan Wazir, a residents on Saturday gathered member of Jirga-e-Melli, said no to voice their support for the US- politician had been killed in the Taliban peace agreement and de- battle-ground apart from common Afghan security institutions are wounded. Afghan security insti- a nationwide sympathy cam- very decent in terms of how he The building where manded the accord’s implemen- person. “If this fighting prolongs facing serious questions a day af- tutions are still trying to determine paign in Afghanistan. It should dressed-- his uniform. I said to tation and release of prisoners. to the common person, so he ter at least 32 people were killed how highly armed insurgents man- have assigned a probe team to him, 'What kind of soldier are you the insurgents had Around 3,000 people took should die.” Waziri said: “We ful- and 8 others were wounded in an aged to infiltrate a heavily-guard- investigate the incident,” said that you even can’t even tie up deployed is located part in the gathering named Jir- ly support the peace agreement attack on a ceremony marking the ed area near a major political event, Mohaqiq. your laces!' he smiled at me and only 400 meters ga-e- Syasi Bawar Melli ba Soai between the Taliban and the US anniversary of the death of Ab- say the critics. “If they want to deceive us, went towards the roof. 30 min- Sulh Paedar --- Political Jirga of and demand its full implementa- dul Ali Mazari, the slain leader of Mohammad Mohaqiq, second it is not justifiable...we will make utes later I heard the firing,” said away from the place National Trust for Durable tion and the release of prisoners.” the Hezb-e Wahdat party. deputy chief executive, and Mo- the government accountable if Zaidullah, a resident in the area. where the event was Peace, and strongly supported Masour Mullahkhel, another The leaders who organized hammad Karim Khalili, the head they do not come up with a clear “The security guards of the underway. the US-Taliban peace agreement member of this Jirga, said both the event said that security lead- of the High Peace Council (HPC), answer,” said Karim Khalili. Musala (place where the gather- signed on February 29. sides should end the conflict and ers had provided assurances be- who co-hosted the ceremony, say The building where the insur- ing was underway) wanted to Former Wolesi Jirga member start enforcing the agreement. fore Saturday's gathering in they had shared details of the event gents had deployed is located check the place on their own, but “It is surprising how they managed to deploy here,” said Humayon Humayon, while ad- The United States and the Dasht-e-Barchi that the gather- two weeks before with the securi- only 400 meters away from the the security forces did not allow dressing the gathering, said that Taliban signed the Afghanistan- ing would be safe from potential ty institutions and sought clear place where the event was un- them to and assured them that the Sharif, an eyewitness. “All aspects of this terrorist people were tired of fighting but US Joint Statement for Peace in threats. assurances about the safety of the derway. area was safe,” said Rahmatullah, some individuals for their per- Doha, Qatar, last week. Under the Last year, the same event gathering from the security organs. “I saw the (attackers') faces, a resident in the neighborhood. attack are under investigation, we will share the outcome of the sonal interest wanted to harm the deal, all US troops would with- commemorating Abdul Ali Maz- “The government should have they were looking like Hazara “There was chaos. The peo- peace process. draw from Afghanistan in 14 ari was targeted. 11 people were been shaken up because of the in- boys but they were strangers to ple were wandering around. Those probe with the people once the investigations are wrapped up,” “People killed daily in the months, under the condition that killed in that 2019 attack by mor- tensity of this attack. The govern- me, they went towards the roof. wounded were lying on the ground conflict belong to Afghan fami- the Taliban break with al Qaeda, tars, gunfire and explosions. 95 ment should have announced a day One of them had a gun in his hand, and no one was there to support said Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior. lies while the families of Ashraf the Islamic State and other terror- others, including 12 women, were of national mourning and organized the other one was not looking them,” said Reza, an eyewitness. Ghani and Abdullah live in for- ist groups. The Meaningfully Participation of Women in peace Trump: Taliban could 'possibly' seize power talks is necessary for Afghanistan to move forward after US troops leave Thousandslosejobsaslevy ...P12 for peace may be finally throughout the country. We will over the last two decades in Af- ...P12 government had the emerging to end four decades of continue to work to provide a ghanistan. We will continue to ability to defend itself from fight- war. Most Afghan citizens yearn space for women to voice their support the advancement of Af- ers after foreign forces pull out. for such promise, as ceaseless views on the peace process, not ghan women and girls, and work "I don't know. I can't answer that onSamangancoaljumps conflicts have left the country ex- only in terms of “gender” but in to enhance their leadership capac- question," he said. "We'll have to hausted, with almost no family every facet of life. ity. We will continue to insist on see what happens." Trump's untouched by the loss of one or As intra-Afghan talks are ex- the necessity to ensure that any statement came hours after nearly several loved ones. The violence pected to take place soon, we be- peace comes for all Afghan citi- 30 people were killed in capital and the consequentially crippled lieve that women have to have a zens, women and men, girls and Kabul during an attack claimed by economy have compelled thou- real seat at the table, with their boys. We will support and am- the ISIL (ISIS) group. It was the sands of Afghans to seek a bright- opinions carrying equal weight as plify women’s voices at every deadliest attack in Afghanistan er future outside of their country. those of men. Given their differ- stage of the peace process. since the signing of the US-Tali- At the same time, many Afghans ent place in society, and their dif- From many conflicts around ban peace deal on February 29. worry that the prospect of peace fering needs and aspirations, the world, history has demon- Intra-Afghan talks The US- with the Taliban could potential- women provide unique viewpoints strated that a peace agreement Taliban deal also included three ly set back rights and freedoms. distinct from those of men. Hav- that includes all parts of society other main conditions: a perma- This is a prospect that awakens ing them meaningfully included in and that meaningfully includes nent and comprehensive ceasefire, painful memories from the past, peace talks is necessary for Af- women will be more durable. We a Taliban pledge that Afghan soil particularly for women. ghanistan to move forward and put will do our part to help support would not be used as a launchpad This year’s celebration shines an end to four decades of loss and such an agreement. to threaten US security, and that light on the upcoming 20th anni- devastation. We wish all Afghan women a intra-Afghan negotiations would versary of the United Nations It is important to remember very happy International Wom- be launched by March 10. The Security Council Resolution that women’s opinions are not lim- en’s Day! intra-Afghan talks will be conse- #1325 on Women, Peace and Se- ited to gender-specific issues. Geoffrey Tooth, Australian quential to the future of the coun- curity. Work, security, access to educa- Ambassador to Afghanistan try as Afghan leaders and activ- In alignment with this reso- tion, access to health services, are Alison Blake, British Ambas- ists will sit face-to-face with the AIBAK: Thousands of people enough from the business after would suffer millions of afghanis lution, the international commu- all matters of importance to ev- sador to Afghanistan Taliban to chart a course for peace have lost their jobs and around the hike in charges that also ren- loss if the problem was not nity actively supports greater par- eryone, regardless of their gender, Dave Metcalfe, Canadian in the country. Meanwhile, the 2,000 trucks parked after the dered thousands jobless. solved, he said. ticipation by women in the for- regardless of their origin or regard- Ambassador to Afghanistan much-anticipated deal has been government increased duty on Ali Akbar Ahrar, acting Workers who lost jobs mal peace process. Through mul- less of their language. Pierre Mayaudon, Ambassa- met with both hope and scepti- coal business in northern Saman- Dara-i-Suf Bala district chief, told Ali Ahmad, a resident of tiple programs and projects, we As members of the internation- dor and Head of the Delegation cism in Afghanistan. The Taliban are advocating for women’s mean- al community, we believe an en- of the EU to Afghanistan gan province. Pajhwok Afghan News that Baloch area of Dara-i-Suf Bala held power in the South Asian According to a Pajhwok Af- around 16,000 people had been district, said he had been working ingful involvement in peace talks, during peace will only be possible Nicholas Kay, RS NATO Se- country of 35 million from 1996 and building the capacity of if built on the gains in human rights, nior Civilian Representative to ghan News report, previously working in the district’s coalm- in a coalmine in the district since to 2001 and enforced a strict in- people paid 1,500 afghanis for ine but now all of them were job- four years and could earn up to women to promote peace especially women’s rights, made Afghanistan terpretation of Islamic law that was condemned by the interna- extraction of one ton of coal from less. He said around 2,000 coal 500 afghanis a day. tional community. Dara-i-Suf Bala coalmine in Sa- trucks had been stopped. Haji “Now I am jobless, I must The ICC’s Probe Into Atrocities Women were banned from mangan, but the amount was in- Masaab, a resident of the dis- go to Iran or Turkey for earning working or studying under the creased to 2,200 afs about 20 trict and an extractor of the money to support my family,” Taliban rule, with three million girls days ago following an order from coalmine, confirmed thousands he said. Yaqob Ali, a resident of returning to school following their the president. of people had lost jobs and said the center of Dara-i-Suf Bala dis- in Afghanistan: What to Know government's toppling in 2001. Some people say extraction coalmine extractors had invested trict, said two of his trucks were Many Afghans remain apprehen- works at the mine stopped after from one to 50 million afghanis stopped after increase in royalty ...P12 serve “the interests of jus- 2000, at the end of the Bill Clin- political institution, masquerad- sive over what the US-Taliban deal the increase in royalty payment. in the business. payment. He demanded solution tice.” The Appeals Chamber con- ton administration. But the Sen- ing as a legal body,” Pompeo said. could mean for the future of wom- Traders say they could not earn The coalmine extractors to the problem. (Pajhwok) cluded that the governing treaty ate never ratified the treaty due to “We will take all necessary mea- en's education and empowerment of the ICC, the Rome Statute the strong opposition by the sures to protect our citizens from in the country. (AL JAZEERA) [PDF], does not authorize the George W. Bush administration. this renegade, so-called court.” In Pretrial Chamber to use its dis- The ICC’s jurisdiction is trig- April 2019, Pompeo, mirroring Thousands of people due for mental illness in Logar cretion to determine “the inter- gered when genocide, crimes the strong anti-ICC views of then In Afghanistan, ests of justice” when the prose- against humanity, or war crimes National Security Advisor John 4 Coronavirus Cases ...P12 of provincial health department, said that people in different districts including Pol-e-Alam cutor seeks approval for an in- occur on the territory of an ICC Bolton, denied a U.S. visa to provincial capital suffer the problems. vestigation. The judges ruled that member state or when a national Prosecutor Bensouda. (She can Are Confirmed He said that 18,868 patients were treated in the provincial health facilities. there is a reasonable factual basis of a state party commits such a still visit UN headquarters in People in Logar ask the government to increase health facilities there for their treatment. to proceed and that potential cas- crime. According to a 2014 report New York City on business.) ...P12 Herat were collected and Gul Rahman, a resident of Logar said that his wife was suffering from mental illness due to continued es do fall within the ICC’s juris- [PDF] by the U.S. Senate Select It will be no surprise if the tested in the past 24 hours that war and weak economic condition. He said that he was unable to finance for his wife’s treatment. diction. Additionally, the Appeals Committee on Intelligence, which Trump administration now de- only three of them were confirmed The long war, poverty and illiteracy are the reasons of mental illness across the country. Chamber broadened the prosecu- the prosecutor draws upon, U.S. nies U.S. access to her staff and positive. Around two weeks ago tor’s scope of investigation to in- military and intelligence person- judges who are seen as having is- MoPH had registered the first clude criminal acts she might dis- nel committed torture on Afghan sued decisions that run counter coronavirus case in Herat prov- cover while further investigating territory as well as on the territo- to U.S. interests. Other retalia- ince. The person, who detected HRC denounces Friday terror attack the Afghanistan situation. ry of other parties to the Rome tory measures, such as freezing with coronvirus infection, had re- What are the alleged crimes Statute—namely Lithuania, Po- personal assets in the United cently returned from Qum city of ....P12 anniversary of former jihadi leader Abdul Ali Mazari. Political leaders were present at the by the different parties? land, and Romania—in regard to States of court officials, could Iran the neighboring country. By event. Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack. According to Mohammad Mohaqeq, a The prosecutor’s investiga- victims associated with the Afghan follow. Pompeo could also seek recording the first case of coro- prominent political leader, 70 civilians including women and children were killed and 80 others injured. tion centers on alleged crimes conflict. The prosecutor relied on to dissuade other governments navirus, health ministry in coor- “Attacking civilian gathering and killing of civilians are the clear crimes against humanity and are against against humanity and war crimes open-source information describ- from cooperating with the court. dination with WHO and National international human rights,” the commission said in a statement. It expressed concerns over increasing committed by the Taliban and af- ing U.S. efforts to investigate On Capitol Hill, Republican Security Council MoPH had an- violence against civilians and asked security and judiciary bodies to investigate Friday’s attack. The filiated armed groups as well as crimes allegedly committed by Senator Ted Cruz vowed to in- nounced emergency situation in interior ministry said that the attack ended after six hours and when the two attackers were gunned down. by Afghan National Security U.S. personnel in connection with troduce a resolution calling on the Herat as a step to halt the spread The attack was condemned internationally. The United Nations, The United States embassy in Kabul and Forces in Afghanistan since May the Afghanistan situation and UN Security Council to bar the of the virus. In that time, health other foreign diplomatic agencies as well as presidential office condemned it. 1, 2003, when that country joined found those efforts, or the lack ICC from prosecuting nationals ministry had advised all compa- the ICC. thereof, unconvincing. of nonparty states. While China, triots to avoid unnecessary trav- The prosecutor has focused The U.S. government argues Russia, and the United States elling to Herat and from Herat to on the Taliban’s crimes against that nonparty state nationals do never joined the ICC, the two other provinces. Islam ic Em irate of Taliban humanity of murder, imprison- not fall under the ICC’s jurisdic- other permanent members of the ment or other severe deprivation tion even if they commit atrocity Security Council—France and ‘Unacceptable’; U.S. and Russia of physical liberty, and persecu- crimes on the territory of a state the United Kingdom—are long- Leaders Call for tion against identifiable groups of party, such as Afghanistan or the standing members of the ICC and Investigation into civilians, including on political and three European nations. But that would be difficult to persuade to ...P12 war in Afghanistan. “Urged all sides to further decrease violence in order to create an environment gender grounds. Taliban actions issue was not on appeal and there- politically smack down the Ap- Friday Terror Attack conducive to intra-Afghan negotiations.” are believed to have resulted in fore the Appeals Chamber did not peals Chamber. Further, even if Washington and Moscow once again called on the Taliban to make all-out efforts and ensure that Afghanistan’s soil would not be used by Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups as a threat to foreign tens of thousands of civilian ca- adjudicate arguments challenging the Security Council were to in- ...P12 abroad, but internal sualties, and the prosecutor will coverage of U.S. nationals. The trude on the court’s jurisdiction countries. “It is expected that all sides will observe a ceasefire during intra-Afghan negotiations so as to hands (elements) cannot be ruled reach an agreement on a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future,” added the statement. The US and seek to identify Taliban leaders Pretrial Chamber had ruled that in this manner, the question out as well. “We won’t blame all who orchestrated the killing and U.S. nationals responsible for such would remain whether it has the Taliban last Saturday signed a peace deal that pave the ground for a gradual drawdown of foreign troops security forces, but there are some and intra-Afghan-talks. wounding of so many civilians. crimes are subject to the court’s legal authority to do so. suspected traces which must be The Afghan security forces jurisdiction under these circum- What effects could this pro- investigated.” He insisted on a are being investigated for several stances. ceeding have on other major- combined delegation from Presi- war crimes against hundreds of The ICC focuses on crimes by power forces deployed in con- dential Palace, Chief Executive Taliban Rebels Kill 7 Civilians in HeratAttack civilians: torture and cruel treat- leadership, not actions taken by flict zones? Office, Parliament, International ...P12 has officially not commented on the incident. ment; outrages upon personal dig- mid- and low-level forces or per- The United States’ allies in Organizations and the Organizers The longest conflict in Afghanistan has thus far claimed the life of thousands of civilians. The war has nity, such as humiliating and de- sonnel, so the likely targets of in- the North Atlantic Treaty Orga- of the Ceremony, to form an in- left behind thousands of others with several types of disabilities such as, no legs, no hands, no eyes and humanizing abuses; and sexual vestigation will be Taliban leaders, nization (NATO) are all members vestigating team to seriously hearing problems and as even mental disorders. violence. The U.S. armed forces Afghan government and military of the ICC, with the exception of probe the incident. and CIA are now under investiga- leaders, and top U.S. officials who Turkey. U.S. military deploy- Moreover, Mr. Mohaqiq tion for war crimes against around planned or authorized the alleged ments occur on Syrian territory, based on sources has claimed that Russia Seeks to Heighten Role in Afghanistan As U.S. Withdraws eighty victims who allegedly suf- crimes under the George W. Bush also a nonparty. Aside from the Friday’s incident casualties are fered torture and cruel treatment, administration. United States, the only other much more from what it has been ...P12 emphasized. Howev- no obligations in this regard. with the government forces,” outrages upon personal dignity, However, since the United major power that deploys its reported. “No more patients left, er, the current president of Af- “This naturally irritated the Tal- Kabulov explained and added that and rape and other forms of sexu- States is not a member of the ICC, military forces outside its terri- we will use all possible means to ghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, after iban, and they answered this the ceasefire by the Taliban does al violence. There are more than Washington will be under no legal tory is Russia. China, Egypt, In- ask justice.” signing the Doha agreement, statement: “Well, great! In this not apply to Americans and for- fifty victims of such crimes alleg- obligation to cooperate with any dia, Indonesia, and Pakistan de- Peace Council Head, Moham- which recorded the need to re- case, we will not continue the eign troops and does not in any edly committed by the U.S. mili- investigation by the court. U.S. ploy forces outside their territo- mad Karim Khalili said no negli- lease five thousand Taliban pris- temporary ceasefire and will way contradict the Doha agree- tary in Afghanistan in 2003–04. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo ries strictly for UN peacekeep- gence is “justifiable” and the probe oners, said that he personally had consider ourselves free to fight ment, assured Kabulov. Another twenty-four people de- has already made it clear that ing operations. must comprehensively be done. tained during the conflict claim to Washington will not cooperate. The interests of these non- “The government has to give a be victims of such alleged crimes Without such cooperation, partic- party states to avoid exposing clear respond to the nation and by the CIA not only in Afghani- ularly regarding former officials their nationals on the territory of mourners.” ‘Taliban return to power, impssible stan but at CIA “black sites”— who reside in the United States ICC members to the rules of in- He repeated for an inclusive secret locations where covert ac- and are thus outside the reach of ternational criminal justice may probe team to investigate the at- tions, such as interrogations, can ICC arrest warrants (unless they be debated in the Security Coun- tack. ...P12 saying that Washing- of reduction in violence, which the US President could be con- take place—in Lithuania, Poland, travel to ICC states), it could be cil, particularly for peacekeeping According to Ministry of In- ton’s intelligent information is expected be led to a ceasefire, sidered as a warning towards the and Romania, again primarily in very difficult for the prosecutor missions, but otherwise will be terior, two attackers were killed shows that the Taliban are not while the Taliban insist on re- Afghan government due to cur- 2003–04 but in some cases to establish sufficient evidence to of limited interest to the 123 na- by Special Forces in a clearing willing to stay committed to the leasing their 5,000 prisoners be- rent turmoil. stretching back to mid-2002. charge and then arrest U.S. sus- tions that are members of the operation that lasted for nearly six peace agreement, which was fore ceasefire and intra-Afghan- However, the U.S. and Rus- Since the United States is not pects. court. After all, ICC members hours in the area. signed between US and Taliban talks. But some of the political sia in a joint statement said that a state party to the Rome Stat- Is there a chance of reprisal want legal protection from atroc- According to health ministry, last Saturday in Qatar. The analysts believe that the Afghan the re-establishment of the “Is- ute, how can the investigation by the United States? ity crimes that could be commit- 32 people, including five women Taliban has not stated any re- government is still scrambling lamic Emirate of Afghanistan” and against its forces proceed? The uproar in Washington has ted by nationals of such power- were martyred and 58 others, in- marks regarding the issue so far. with its interior challenges. that it would not be protected by The United States signed the been swift. “This is a truly breath- ful countries on their own terri- cluding seven women and a Arg emphasized that the Taliban A political analyst, Nasser international community and Rome Statute on December 31, taking action by an unaccountable tories. child were wounded in the attack. should get agree on continuation Shafiq said the recent remarks of United Nations. SUNDAY. MARCH, 08, 2020 AFGHANISTAN TIMES

Kabul was reeling Saturday after Islamic State jihadists killed 32 people and wounded dozens more, with injured survivors de- scribing scenes of terror as gun- men opened fire in the deadliest attack to hit Afghanistan since a US-Taliban deal. The attack at a crowded gath- ering in the capital has raised ques- tions about Afghanistan's abys- mal security situation and uncer- tain future following the Febru- ary 29 agreement to pull foreign forces from the country within 14 months. Lying in a hospital bed in a run-down Kabul neigh- bourhood, 15-year-old Basira said she had attended Friday's annual commemoration ceremo- The attack in Kabul which killed 32 people and wounded dozens ny for Abdul Ali Mazari -- a pol- came a week after the US signed a deal with the Taliban itician from the Hazara ethnic group -- for the first time, accom- for help", he told AFP. The Sun- security guarantees and a pledge panied by her father and young- ni-extremist IS had claimed an by the insurgents to hold talks er sister. "We were in the middle attack on the same ceremony with the Kabul government. The By Bilal Yusufi of the ceremony when the gun- last year, which killed 11, and Taliban have also ramped up at- ate of Afghanistan is not recog- as Trump’s statement. It is irratio- and we surrender only for jus- fire erupted," she told AFP in a have in the past targeted Haz- tacks in the country, including one nized by the international com- nal to think that U.S. after almost tice!” Farahnaz Forotan, a Kab- frail voice. "It was non-stop fir- aras who are predominantly on Friday night in the contested KABUL: Justice matters—a so- munity and at the UN, and fur- 20 years will leave Afghanistan at ul-based journalist and women ing for more than an hour," she Shiite Muslim. Survivors ex- western province of Herat, where cial campaign titled “I see you” thermore, the international com- the mercy of Taliban—a group advocator said in a tweet. said, describing chaotic scenes, pressed anger against the gov- they killed seven villagers includ- lunched in Kabul to make sure no munity will not accept or sup- provided shelter to al-Qaeda that “It is never easy to be part of with terrified people running for ernment for failing to improve ing two children, government of- injustice done through ongoing port the restoration of the Islamic killed thousands of American citi- a process that you have been a cover from the gunmen who ap- security, with injured teenager ficials said. "They opened fire on peace process that no clarity has Emirates of Afghanistan. zens. Mr. Trump must not forget victim of war by the same peo- peared to be shooting at them Basira saying: "The political civilians killing seven and wound- been seen yet. But the gravity of the situa- 9/11, and must not run out of race ple who have taken all the op- from a height. As shrapnel tore elites fled with their convoys ing 10," Jailani Farhad, spokesman A painting of US top negotia- tion is US President Donald as 2020 was the start of new op- portunities from you as an Af- into her right leg, she lost con- and poor and innocent people for the provincial governor, told tor Zalmay Khalilzad and Depu- Trump’s words that Taliban portunities for a dignified peace ghan woman” Fawzia Koofi, lead- sciousness and was brought to a were martyred and wounded". AFP. Lal Mohammad Omarzai, ty Taliban Leader, Mullah Bara- could “possibly” seize the pow- where the rights of men, women er of Movement for Change, and nearby hospital, along with 28 Several top political officials chief of Robat Sangi district, where dar, has been tinted on a wall in er after foreign troops withdraw and children to be protected. ex-deputy speaker of parliament other wounded. Zamin Ali, who were at the ceremony, including the shootings took place, said the Kabul city. The Afghans in social from the country as part of an But the positive point is that has said in a tweet. suffered a bullet wound, said hun- Afghanistan's chief executive insurgents were angry over the vil- media took the painting as a mon- agreement signed between the today’s Afghanistan is quite dif- The Afghan women – who dreds of people had assembled Abdullah Abdullah. All were lagers' refusal to pay them mon- itoring stuff that they (Afghans) two sides. ferent from what it was before were utterly barred from going to to watch the ceremony, when the safely evacuated. The attack has ey. Although the Taliban are due see them (Khalilzad and Baradar) “Countries have to take care 2001 U.S. invasion. Nobody can schools and workplaces – see attackers began raining down cast doubt on whether the Tali- to start talks with Kabul on Tues- and watch their move closely of themselves,” Trump told re- impose Taliban on us—but the their rights in deep jeopardy as gunfire. "I saw... a dead child ly- ban can stop groups such as IS day, a long-running dispute over a while a clean slogan read “peace porters at the White House. “You Afghans are ready to negotiate with the Taliban’s mindset toward ing on the ground", the 60-year- from overrunning Afghanistan prisoner swap has cast doubt on without justice means to surren- can only hold someone’s hand them for a durable peace. women still remain the same. Tal- old said. "Everyone was fleeing... after foreign troops withdraw whether negotiations will in fact der”. The Trump administration for so long.” “Eyes of History!” The mem- iban top chief negotiator have while the injured were pleading from the country in exchange for begin as scheduled. signed a peace agreement with the Based on the agreement, the ory of the millions of eyes whose tried to tell they are committed Taliban group last Saturday. The U.S. and NATO forces should blood was shed you can’t ignore toward women’s right according group claimed victory while U.S. completely withdraw over a 14- us. Peace without justice is sur- to the Islamic teachings—what and Russia in a joint statement month period. It is a clear-cut render. We were not killed to sur- are those teachings is important reaffirmed that the Islamic Emir- surrender to the Taliban as per render today. We stand together to discuss on.

KHOST CITY: Residents of southeastern Khost province on Saturday said they were deeply concerned about the removal of 209 polio awareness program workers in the province. They evelopments in recent said if the public awareness pro- days have revealed — grams about polio virus were Dunsurprisingly — that stopped, the process would face Donald Trump’s recent multiple problems. These public ‘peace deal’ with the Taliban KABUL: The Chair of the Euro- awareness workers had been ap- is barely worth the paper it pean Parliament’s Afghanistan pointed by the United Nations was written on. What is clear, delegation urges all sides to hold Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Af- however, is that the next inclusive peace talks, involving all ghanistan in Ali Shir, Spira and president of Afghanistan, parts of Afghan society, A Euro- Garbaz districts of the province. whoever that may be, will pean parliament member said in Ahmadullah, a resident of Ali Shir about their children future. Hafi- the poliovirus and their removal inherit a nation that has long a statement on Saturday. district, told Pajhwok Afghan zullah, a resident of Gurbaz dis- would possibly impact the pro- since ceased to function, “The concluded peace deal News that he feared polio cases trict, told Pajhwok that the dis- cess. He said, “If public aware- writes Emran Feroz could mark the beginning of a could increase if vaccination was missed public awareness em- ness programs are stopped, it may comprehensive peace process. not done properly, urging the ployees had been providing vi- lead to increase in polio cases in This is definitely a window of authorities concerned to think tal information to people about future. (Pajhwok) A SMALL group of men and chil- opportunity, for Afghanistan and dren, who quickly grow bored, are the whole region, to end four de- standing by the riverside. All of cades of death and destruction, them staring at the contraption which should be seized, the state- before them — a small water ment said. pump, which despite their best Petras Auštrevicius, issued efforts, won’t switch on. A young the statement following the re- man tries to set it in motion by cent deal between the United pushing at the gear and pulling at States and the Taliban on the with- the engine, all the while staring at drawal of US troops from Af- KABUL: Meshrano Jirga mem- nated themselves for the first elected as secretary of the house the tube protruding from the life- ghanistan Intra-Afghan negotia- bers on Saturday elected the up- deputy chairman slot and Ab- Mohammad Akbar Stanekzai and less pump. The water in the river tions are key to the peace pro- per house first, second deputy dullah Qarliq and Abdul Latif Mohammad Asif nominated them- remains still and calm. The pump, cess. The European Parliament speakers and secretary. President Zhondi for secretary position of selves for the second deputy chair- sent by a relative who spent the will insist on the need to be in- Ashraf Ghani today inaugurated the house. At today’s meeting, man and Tayib Atta, Faisal Sami last two decades in Germany, sim- clusive in these Afghan-owned the parliament 2nd constitution- 66 senators were present. They and Fuzia Sadat nominated them- ply will not work. It is an all too and Afghan-led negotiations, in al year of the 17th legislative term elected Ezidyar as first deputy selves for the deputy secretary of typical story in the Mussahi dis- order to achieve a secure and sta- after a 45-day winter break. chairman as Abdul Latif and the house. Mohammad Akbar trict of Kabul province, 30 kilo- ble situation in the country as Mohammad Alam Ezedyar and Zhondai cancelled their nomina- Stanekzai was elected as the sec- metres south of the capital, where soon as possible. (Pajhwok) Ahmad Javid Raoof had nomi- tions and Abdullah Qarliq was ond deputy. (Pajhwok) many things have not functioned FIROZKOH: Twelve years old were killed in conflicts,” said the for some time. And that tells a larg- Ahmad Zia daily takes drinking grandmother, Bibi Gul. er story. Much like Mussahi’s water on his four donkeys to a As one of her grandchildren water pump, most of Afghanistan security base in western Ghor was sitting on her legs, Gul sad- isn’t functioning either, at least province to feed 30 people in his ly said, “My sons were too outside the major cities. Eighteen family after losing his father and young when killed and their years after the US-led invasion, the three uncles in the conflict. deaths changed our lives.” city of Kabul has gone through sev- A resident of Qatas village She said her eldest son was eral transformations. The city is near Firozkoh, the provincial cap- killed in a rocket strike when he now dotted with high-rises that fill ital, Ahmad Zia supports his was returning home on October the skyline, roads are slowly being mother, grandmother, widowed 2, 2019 and two days after his paved and monuments of past eras wives of his three uncles, their killing, her three other sons were renovated. Urban elites in Kabul children, his own brothers and sis- killed at once in a roadside bomb- A SMALL, burgeoning mon- ters in a house with mostly pri- ing planted by the Taliban. eyed class is also fuelling the slow mary living tools.He is one of The 65 years old woman, growth of Western-style coffee thousands of Afghan children who cleaning her tears with a corner shops, complete with $1 lattes. bear such huge responsibility on of her shawl, said, that the Tali- This transformation has been their small shoulders because of ban had planted bombs in part topped off with many gated man- the four decades of war in the of their village that killed her sions and fancy wedding halls — country. Zia cannot go to school three sons and many other peo- places where urban elites display as he has to fulfill his daily re- ple of the area. their wealth. Only a short drive sponsibility of transferring water Pointing to a photo of her south of the city lies a different on the donkeys from a long dis- son in the hands of one of her world, however, one that has been tance to a base of Afghan forces. grandchildren, Gul said her three left behind by the years of pover- A Pajhwok Afghan News re- sons took leave from duty for ty and war. Mussahi has been a porter found the boy and his 30 two days to collect their broth- part of Kabul province for decades family members. They live 12 ki- er’s corpse but they were hit by now, but it is one of the districts of lometers away from the provin- a Taliban bomb and killed. the province that is under the de cial capital in a muddy house of She sighed sadly and said her facto control of the Taliban. And four rooms. husband was also killed in a rock- Mussahi is just one of many. Of- The reporter saw many chil- et attack 25 years ago and she ten, it appears as if rural Afghani- dren emerging from Zia’s home as was left alone looking after her stan does not exist in the minds of his house. All of these children four sons. The grandmother now many urbanites. Especially in Kab- who wore old and torn clothes takes care of her orphaned grand- ul, political elites have always tend- were relatives of Zia. children. Turning her face to Ah- ed to live in a bubble. Nor is this a The reporter was guided to a mad Zia, she said “He is the el- new phenomenon; it has happened cold room in Zia’s house where dest male in the family. He works over and over again. When the Brit- his grandmother, four widows hard despite his small age to pro- ish tried to take over Afghanistan, and their children live. vide us food and we survive.” their installed monarchs ruled in “My four sons who were “When my father and uncles Kabul, while rural Afghans organ- farmers and uprising members died I cried a lot. (Pajhwok) ised the resistance. (NEWAGEBD) SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES India: Chidambaram strikes at BJP over Yes Bank crisis, accuses govt of financial mismanagement The attack by the Congress comes amid a financial crisis gripping country’s fifth-largest private lender Yes Bank. Former Union finance minister and Congress leader P Chidam- baram on Saturday called for fix- ing accountability into the Yes Bank debacle and asked if no one in the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or the government was ac- countable. At a press conference, Chidambaram also described the State Bank of India’s rescue op- eration to bail out Yes Bas as bi- zarre. “Resolution plan proposed by SBI for Yes Bank is bizarre when bank’s net worth is perhaps 0. It would be better for SBI to take over on RBI’s order with Yes Bank’s loan book at Re 1 and to assure depositors that their mon- ey will be returned,” he said. He also said that the SBI was not a LAHORE: Former prime minis- connection with two separate “volunteer” in the rescue opera- ter Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has graft inquiries initiated by the top tion for Yes Bank. “SBI is not a said the existing governance mod- anti-corruption authority, the volunteer in the rescue act just el in Pakistan has failed and the National Accountability Bureau like the LIC was not a volunteer only way out of the current situ- (NAB). The two leaders on in the IDBI rescue act,” he said. ation is a free and fair election. Thursday also met the MQM-P He said it was incomprehensible “Pakistan should be allowed main faction led by Dr Khalid how no one seemed to notice Yes to have a free and fair election Maqbool Siddiqui. Talking with Bank’s ballooning loan book. and people must be permitted to reference to his interaction with “Notice the jump from March use their right to vote,” Abbasi, the leaders of Karachi-based par- 2014 to March 2019, loan book one of the senior leaders of the ty, Abbasi said it is for the first was allowed to grow, despite su- former ruling party – the PML- time in the country’s history that pervision by RBI and govern- N – said on Friday after a meet- dialogue among the political par- ment at 35% a year. Also notice ing with the MQM-P’s former ties has suspended. He said the the spike in 2016-17 and 2017- crore in March 2019 when I was March 2014? Were RBI and the year?” Asked about finance min- and I am the finance minister and convener Dr Farooq Sattar. Ab- PML-N delegation has arrived in 18, two years after demonetisa- not the Finance Minister? government not aware that Yes ister Nirmala Sitharaman blaming she is in the opposition.” He basi is visiting Karachi along with Karachi to meet with the MQM- tion. Is no one in RBI or govt Chidambaram said mismanage- Bank was on a loan-giving spree? the UPA government for the crisis asked the government to come another PML-N senior leader P leaders on instruction of the accountable?” he asked. “How ment and gross oversight led to the Did no one in RBI and govern- at Yes Bank, Chidamabram said, clean on the fiasco and said, “At- Ahsan Iqbal. Both Abbasi and PML-N President Shehbaz did Rs 55,000 crore loan book in Yes Bank debacle. “Who autho- ment read the balance sheet of “When I hear the finance minis- tempts should not be made to Iqbal were released last month Sharif. “Pakistan cannot progress March 2014 jump to Rs 2,41,000 rised grant of new loans after the Bank at the end of every ter, I feel the UPA is still in power sweep things under the carpet.” after months’ long detention in without development.” Bangladesh: Saudi Arabia Nepal: High Sri Lankan government alert against carries out relief projects withdraws from UN resolutions coronavirus in order to boost the military in Yemen, Bangladesh in Dhangadi Keeping in view of confirmed coro- navirus cases in New Delhi, a high alert has been put in place at Dhan- gadi, Kailali. At the initiative of Dhangadi sub-metropolis, three security bodies and Nepal Red Cross Society have set up a help desk at Trinagar Customs border point. According to Mayor Nrip Bahadur Wad, the help desk will stay open round the clock. The help desk will conduct health check-up of the people entering Nepal from India. Those found ill will be sent to the health facility for treatment and an ambulance has been managed for patients. A meeting of the Municipal Education Committee, Teachers’ Union, PABSON, N-PABSON and other stakeholders held at the office of Dhangadi Sub-metropol- In a significant political move, under his older brother, President regime-change operation orches- itan City decided to halt all inter- President Gotabhaya Raja- Mahinda Rajapakse, during trated by the US to oust Mahin- The King Salman Humanitarian 1,388,000 liters of potable water Taibah Development Founda- nal examinations and shut down pakse’s government has with- 2005–2014. In the final weeks da Rajapakse. Washington sup- Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), were pumped, and garbage was tion. schools from Sunday until further drawn from a UN Human Rights of the war, tens of thousands of ported Mahinda Rajapakse re- has carried out a water and envi- transported to disposal sites. Also, in the presence of officials, notice within the vicinity of the Council (UNHRC) resolution Tamil civilians were killed and gime’s anti-democratic rule and ronmental sanitation project to Meanwhile, KSRelief’s emergen- a team from KSRelief handed sub-metropolis. The sub-metrop- adopted in 2015 and a related many who surrendered disap- the war. However, it considered help Yemeni families in Al- cy medical nutrition clinics have over 50 tons of dates in the cap- olis held meeting with government resolution from last year. The peared. As well as the military, him too close to Beijing, against Khokha directorate, Hodeidah. been providing medical services in ital city of Dhaka as a gift from and non-government agencies to government’s aim is to protect Rajapakse has been implicated which the US was moving eco- During February, 1,189,000 liters Yemen’s Hajjah and Hodeidah gov- Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh. fight possible outbreak of coro- the military from any investiga- in the war crime allegations. On nomically and militarily. The US of water for domestic use and ernorates, in partnership with the (alarabiya) navirus in the city. tion of its war crimes committed February 26, Foreign Minister wanted Sri Lanka, which is stra- during the suppression of the Dinesh Gunawardena announced tegically located in the Indian separatist Liberation Tigers of the withdrawal decision at a Ocean, to line up with its mili- Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Rajapakse UNHRC meeting in Geneva, af- tary drive against China. After I ndia: UP Governor cancels annual Holi has come to power amid deep ter the cabinet had approved the taking office, Sirisena and Prime social unrest. He depends on the move on February 17. The Oc- Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe military as his main power base tober 2015 UNHRC resolution shifted Sri Lanka’s foreign policy Milan programme over coronavirus outbreak to take on the working class. was co-sponsored by Colombo in favour of the US and its ally, Rajapakse, an ex-colonel, and Washington after Maithripa- India. The Colombo government Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had decided to stay away from ‘Holi Milan’ programmes and was defence secretary during the la Sirisena was installed as pres- also began integrating Sri Lanka’s had appealed to people to refrain from attending social functions in view of coronavirus. last phase of the communal war ident in January that year via a military with the US Pacific. In view of coronavirus, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has cancelled the March 9 Bangladesh: Thousands protest Indian ‘Holi Milan’ programme as a pre- ventive measure, the Raj Bhawan PM Modi’s upcoming visit in Bangladesh said on Saturday. Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had Thousands protested against In- figies of Modi with their shoes. against Muslims in neighboring decided to stay away from ‘Holi dian Prime Minister Narendra Protesters attempted to march India has sparked calls for the visit Milan’ programmes and had ap- Modi's upcoming visit in Bang- to the Indian High Commission to be canceled. Last week, at least pealed to people to refrain from ladesh's capital of Dhaka on Fri- but were stopped by riot police. 44 people were killed and hun- attending social functions in view day. Protesters gathered around Local media estimated that dreds injured in the worst com- of coronavirus. “Coronavirus is the national mosque after Friday around 5,000 people participat- munal riots in the Indian capital an infectious virus and its infec- prayers and then proceeded to ed in the march. Modi is sched- in decades, triggered by clashes tion spreads from one person to march through the city's streets, uled to visit Dhaka on March 17, between supporters of a new cit- another. Therefore, protection is chanting slogans and beating ef- but recent communal violence izenship law and those against it. more important than treatment,” he had said in a tweet. “It is my appeal to all the people of the Srilanka: SL ‘Terrorist’ Investigation Division state to refrain from attending social functions and take good care of themselves and their fam- resumes abduction-style arrests in North ilies with full responsibility.” Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel has cancelled the March 9 ‘Holi Milan’ programme Leaked reports from SL’ Terror- ist’ Investigation Division (TID) in Jaffna to local media earlier this week claimed that it had de- Coronavirus may cause $61m loss to Pakistan:ADB tained four Tamil youth from Poonakari (Pooneryn) with ex- The Asian Development Bank case scenario to $347 billion in es likely to be sustained by Paki- million. In the worst case scenar- plosives at an uninhabited area (ADB) has projected that Paki- worst case scenario, with China stan will be only $16.23 million io, Pakistan’s agriculture and min- in Vallipuram in Vadamaraadchi stan’s economy may face $16 to affected the most. In a one-page in best case scenario. It project- ing sector will face $21.7 million in Jaffna on Tuesday night. $61 million losses due to coro- paper issued by Tola Associate – ed that in best case scenario, Pa- losses; business and trade $18.8 There was no independent veri- navirus outbreak, said a report tax and corporate advisors – it was kistan’s agriculture and mining million losses; hotel and restau- fication of the incident. So far, published on Friday. However, also claimed that Pakistan’s econ- sector could sustain a loss of $5.5 rants $2.4 million losses; light and no one has lodged any complaint the report gave a “hypothetical omy will sustain $5 billion loss million; business trade, personal heavy engineering $14.6 million with the Jaffna office of the SL worst case scenario” that shows due to coronavirus. The firm based and public service $5.54 million; losses; and transport services $3.4 Human Rights Commission, ac- and later transferred to Colombo points are reminiscent of white- Pakistan’s economy sustaining a its claim on an ADB publication. hotels and restaurants $0.67 mil- million. While discussing the hy- cording to Thangavel Kanagaraj, for further investigations, the van abductions during the times whopping $5 billion loss due to According to the estimates lion; light and heavy manufac- pothetical worst case scenario, the the coordinator of the commis- TID had confirmed to the SL of war, rights activists in Jaffna spread of the virus also called published by the ADB the impact turing $3.6 million and transport ADB projected that Pakistan’s sion. However, he was able to Human Rights Commission in said. In the meantime, SL mili- COVID-19. In this case, Paki- of the coronavirus, in terms of the services $0.92 million. In moder- economy will lose $5 billion. confirm that 40-year-old K. Jaffna. The family man was sub- tary and police have put up new stan’s GDP will loss 1.57% and global GDP ranges from $77 bil- ate case scenario, the projected There will be $1.5 billion loss to Uthayasivam, a resident of jected to an abduction-style ar- checkpoints on the A9 highway 946,000 people will be unem- lion in best case scenario to $347 losses to be faced by Pakistan agriculture and mining; $1.94 bil- Maruthangkea’ni in Valikaamam rest while he was on the road, and Mullaiththeevu road within ployed. The report showed that billion in worst case scenario, or are $34.2 million. In worst case lion to business and trade; $253.7 East, was being detained by the according to his family. The lat- the last 48 hours, reporters in the global GDP will also be af- 0.1% to 0.4% of the global GDP. scenario, the projected losses to million in hotel and restaurants; TID. Uthayasivam was interro- est trend of abduction-style de- Mullaiththeevu said. fected from $77 billion in best The report said the total loss- be faced by Pakistan are $60.8 $671 million to light. gated by the TID in Ki’linochchi tentions and increased check- (BBC) SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES News-in-Brief Philippines' Duterte to declare public health emergency to combat coronavirus Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte plans to declare a nation- wide public health emergency following confirmation of the country’s first community trans- mission of the disease, the pres- idential aide said on Saturday. Earlier in the day, the nation’s health officials said the new coro- navirus recorded its first case of local transmission, and called for Iran's Tasnim News Agency re- the disease. Hossein Sheikholeslam measures to contain its spread. ported that Fatemeh Rahbar, a was reported to be among the stu- Duterte has agreed to declare a newly elected member of the Ira- dents who stormed the U.S. em- health emergency following the nian Parliament, died from the bassy in the 1979 hostage crisis. latest development, Bong Go, novel coronavirus on Friday. The coronavirus outbreak has re- chairman of the Senate Commit- Rahbar, 56, was one of the portedly claimed the lives of other tee on Health and a close aide of few female MPs in the Muslim senior politicians and government ERDOGAN ORDERS COAST the president, told reporters. majority country and she repre- officials as the country scrambles (AP) sented Tehran. She had spent two to ease the lethal impact of the days in coma at a Tehran hospi- epidemic. Iran has reported 4,747 Taiwan opposition tal. It came a day after an adviser confirmed COVID-19 cases and guard to stop migrants and chooses rising star to Iran's foreign minister died of 124 deaths. asnew leader after election rout S a u dia Ar a bia refugees crossing Aegean Taiwan’s main opposition Kuo- The Turkish president has ordered his coast guard to prevent migrants and refugees from crossing the Aegean Sea. mintang party, which tradition- Erdogan has triggered a migrant crisis at the Greek border by falsely informing people the border was open. ally favors close ties with Chi- a r r ests two na, on Saturday voted in as its Turkish President Recep Tayy- to leave Turkey remains in prac- side have accused Greece of en- forces. Tens of thousands of peo- new leader a rising star lawmak- pr in ces over cou p ip Erdogan ordered the coast tice but this (new) approach cov- dangering migrants' lives by ple have attempted to cross into er, who promptly promised to guard to prevent migrants and ers sea crossings because of the damaging their boats in the wa- the country, mainly through the lead a reform effort following a refugees crossing the Aegean Sea, dangers." Crossings from Turkey ter. Turkey hosts nearly 4 mil- land border, but also via the Ae- trouncing in an election in Janu- attem pt: R epor ts the agency said on Friday. "On to Lesbos have surged in recent lion refugees from the Syrian gean Sea into Lesbos. ary. Johnny Chiang, 48, a law- the orders of the president... per- weeks after Turkey declared it war, and has a deal with the EU Heavy-handed tactics maker from Taiwan’s second- mission will not be given for mi- would not stop migrants and ref- to prevent them from moving Greece has met crossing at- largest city Taichung, won elec- Black-clad royal guards have reportedly arrested two senior members of the Saudi royal family over an alleged coup grants to cross the Aegean sea ugees from attempting to reach into the bloc. Turkey claims the tempts with heavy-handed tactics, tion as new party chairman over because it is dangerous," the coast the European Union. Greece has EU has failed to honor its prom- firing tear gas and water cannons one-time Taipei mayor Hau attempt. The Saudi king's only surviving brother was seen guard said on Twitter on Friday. accused Turkey of using the mi- ises and also wants support in to drive people back. The surge Lung-bin, 67, the son of a former as one viable alternative to the crown prince. "The approach of not inter- grants and refugees as pawns in a Syria where it is fighting Rus- has evoked memories of the 2015 premier and general during Tai- wan’s authoritarian era. vening against migrants wishing political game, while the Turkish sian-backed Syrian government migrant crisis. Trump abruptly 24 Ugandans replaces acting Egypt-Ethiopia tensions chief of staff express with lawmaker interest in 2021 escalate over Nile Meadows presidential

U.S. President Donald Trump race mega-dam project parted ways on Friday with act- ing White House chief of staff At least 24 people have official- CAIRO: The Grand Renaissance to 28 talks in Washington, that feet after it skipped the latest Mick Mulvaney and replaced ly declared their intention to run Dam, being built on the Nile riv- were intended to produce a fi- round of talks. The decision left him with conservative lawmak- for president in the 2021 Ugan- er by Ethiopia, has become a nal agreement with Egypt and the Egyptians angry and the er and close ally Mark Mead- Saudi authorities reportedly ar- and appointed his son instead. dan election in their bid to unseat matter of great concern in the Sudan on the filling and opera- Americans, who had drafted an ows, who was a strong Trump rested two senior members of the Additionally, The New York incumbent Yower Museveni. North African region as tensions tion of the dam. In response to agreement with the technical in- defender during the Democratic Among those who have notified between Ethiopia and Egypt Ethiopia’s stance, Egypt has put of the World Bank, disap- royal family over an alleged coup Times reported that Prince Nayef's the Electoral Commission (EC) impeachment drive. Represen- attempt on Friday. King Salman's younger brother, Prince Nawaf bin mount, with Sudan caught in be- launched an international diplo- pointed. Egypt relies on the Nile tative Meadows takes over as are Kyadondo East MP Robert tween. This follows a series of matic offensive to shore up its for 90 percent of its water. It con- younger brother, Prince Ahmed Nayef, had also been arrested. Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and the White House struggles to bin Abdulaziz, and the king's History of crackdowns developments, most notably the position with regard to its Nile tends that having a stable flow of put out a consistent message Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde refusal of the Ethiopian govern- water rights. The Ethiopian side the Nile waters is a matter of sur- nephew Mohammed bin Nayef Crown Prince bin Salman has (former security minister). More about the coronavirus crisis and were taken into custody, accord- been consolidating his position of ment to take part in the Feb. 27 stands accused of dragging its vival in a country. as Trump enters into a bruising people could express interest ing to US media outlets. The Wall power, with a crackdown on prom- soon as some political parties are re-election contest. He is the Street Journal reported that the inent clerics and activists as well fourth chief of staff during yet to convene their national del- pair were accused of plotting to as princes and business elites. egates conferences to elect their Trump's three years in office, oust King Salman and his ap- Though not yet sitting on the tasked with attempting to bring presidential flag bearers. People Lebanese leaders pointed successor, Crown Prince throne, bin Salman is seen as the Power leader Bobi Wine had, in order to a chaotic presidency Mohammed bin Salman. Both de-facto ruler of the country, con- which began in early 2017. July 2019, declared he would run men were arrested in their homes trolling all major levels of govern- for president. Earlier, in March oppose paying sovereign and charged with treason, it re- ment. He faced international con- 2019, ruling National Resistance UK calls for ported, citing unnamed sources. demnation over the murder of jour- Movement (NRM) lawmakers improvement of The arrested nephew was nalist Jamal Khashoggi at the king- endorsed incumbent Yoweri once the head of Saudi countert- dom's Istanbul consulate in Octo- debt : Presidency relatio n s hip w ith Museveni to continue leading the errorism efforts, and had been ber 2018. The king's only surviv- party and the state. A month lat- Lebanon’s top leadership oppos- billion Eurobond due on March speaker, central bank governor and Iran : Spo x crown prince until King Salman ing brother had been seen as a pos- er, Uganda's Supreme Court up- es repaying the country’s sover- 9, part of a wider portfolio of head of the country’s banking as- stripped him of the title in 2017 sible alternative to bin Salman. held a decision to remove. eign debt, the presidency said on some $31 billion in dollar bonds sociation. “The attendees decided A spokesman for the British Saturday, indicating the the heavi- that sources told Reuters on Fri- unanimously to stand by the gov- Prime Minister Boris Johnson ly indebted state is heading to- day the government would seek ernment in any choice it makes in said on Saturday that the UK wards a default as it grapples with to restructure in negotiations terms of managing the debt, ex- wants a better relationship with Biden racks up endorsements a major financial crisis. A default with its creditors. Prime Minis- cept paying the debt maturities,” Iran in the post-Brexit period. on Lebanon’s foreign currency ter Hassan Diab will address the the presidency said in a statement The spokesperson made the re- marks in an exclusive interview debt will mark a new phase in Eurobond issue and Lebanon’s after the meeting. Sources told with IRNA correspondent in as Sanders goes on the attack the crisis that has hammered Leb- wider economic crisis in a speech Reuters on Friday Lebanon was London on condition of anonym- anon’s economy since October, to the nation at 6:30 p.m. (1630 set to announce on Saturday that ity. The full text of the interview slicing around 40% off the value GMT). The announcement it cannot make upcoming dollar is as follow: Q: Following Brit- in US presidential race of the local currency and leading from the presidency followed a bond payments and wants to re- banks to deny savers full access meeting attended by the presi- structure $31 billion of foreign cur- ain's exiting the EU, the Prime Two former presidential rivals to deposits. Lebanon has a $1.2 dent, prime minister, parliament rency debt unless a last-minute. Minister has launched a review endorsed Joe Biden on March 6 on UK's foreign policy to re-de- in the latest sign that the Demo- fine UK's place in the world. cratic establishment is coalesc- How does the PM looks at the ing around the former vice pres- SaudiArabia UK and Iran's relationship in the ident to stop the candidacy of U.N. calls for immediate post brexit period? (e.g trade, Bernie Sanders, who ratcheted detains top political , health, agriculture,” up attacks on his rival ahead of freeze of military crucial contests next week. royal family Haftar Former Massachusetts Gover- nor Deval Patrick and John members: operations in Yemen militias bomb Delaney, a former Maryland con- neighbourhoods gressman - both onetime 2020 Report candidates - backed Biden, as did near Tripoli's Mitiga a slew of other Democratic offi- Saudi authorities detained three International cials in states soon to hold nom- royal family members, including Airport inating contests. Sanders, who is a brother of the king and a former desperate to regain some momen- crown prince, for an alleged coup Libyan government forces an- tum after Biden’s strong ‘Super attempt, the Wall Street Journal nounced on Thursday that the Tuesday’ showing this week, record on trade, abortion, gay rights contests on March 3, including reported on March 6. Prince militias of retired major gener- launched a full-throated attack on and Social Security. The pair con- the big prize of Michigan, with Ahmed bin Abdulaziz al Saud, a al, Khalifa Haftar, targeted the his rival, assailing Biden over his test six Democratic nominating 125 of the 1,991 delegates. brother of King Salman, and residential neighbourhoods of former Crown Prince Moham- Mitiga International Airport in med bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz al the capital of Tripoli, with Saud, the king’s nephew, are ac- rocket-propelled grenades. This North Korea slams European cused of treason, according to the came in an interview for Anad- report. Guards from the Royal olu Agency with Mustafa Al- Majai, spokesperson for the Court wearing masks raided the “Volcano of Rage” operation, nations for 'illogical thinking' homes of senior members of roy- launched by the internationally al family early Friday and took U.N. Special Envoy Martin led coalition resumed air strikes recognised Government of Na- over missile launches them into custody, the Journal Griffiths on Saturday called for against the region’s towns and vil- tional Accord (GNA). said, citing people familiar with an immediate end to military lages. The fighting in al-Jawf in launches, which officials have the matter. The guards also ar- action by Yemen’s warring par- northern Yemen has displaced Malaysia's PM said were routine military drills, rested one of the prince's broth- ties as renewed violence between around 70,000 people, or 10,000 Muhyiddin reaches out were personally overseen by its ers. "The Saudi royal court ac- the Houthi movement and a families, to neighboring Marib leader Kim Jong Un. “The illogi- cused the two men of plotting a Saudi-led coalition threatened province, the International Com- across political parties cal thinking and sophism of these coup to unseat the king and peace efforts. Fierce battles have mittee of the Red Cross said on for Cabinet lineup countries are just gradually bear- crown prince, according to peo- resumed in al-Jawf province Saturday. “Last week I issued a ing a close resemblance to the ple familiar with the situation," since last month and culminat- public call for a freeze on military KUALA LUMPUR - Malay- United States, which is hostile to said the report, referring to King ed with the Houthi group tak- activities. Today, I am reiterating sian Prime Minister Muhyid- us,” a North Korean Foreign Min- Salman and Saudi Crown Prince ing control of its capital al- that call for an immediate and un- din Yassin may be reaching out istry spokesperson said in a Muhammed bin Salman. Hazem last week, as the Saudi- conditional freeze. across political parties as he statement to the state-run KCNA attempts to assemble his new news agency. The spokesperson, Cabinet, with talk swirling that who was not named, described he could offer the former health WHO spokesman says over 100,000 confirmed minister his old post amid the the European action as “reckless growing coronavirus outbreak. North Korea accused European gium raised North Korea’s latest behavior ... instigated by the Unit- COVID-19 cases reported globally nations of “illogical thinking” on missile firings at the U.N. Security ed States.” Kim Yo Jong, sister Sources said that Tan Sri Mu- More than 100,000 confirmed arevic told Xinhua. Among those WHO's daily situation report on hyiddin, who is from Parti Saturday after they called a Council on Thursday, calling them of North Korea’s leader and a se- Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, is closed-door U.N. Security Coun- a provocative action that violated nior government official, defend- cases of the novel coronavirus 101,827 confirmed infections COVID-19 on Saturday evening. offering former health minister cil meeting to condemn missile U.N. resolutions. North Korea fired ed Monday’s launches as military disease have been reported glo- before 6 a.m. CET (0500 GMT) At a daily briefing Friday, Dzulkefly Ahmad, who be- launches by the reclusive state two short-range missiles off the drills, saying they were not meant bally as of Saturday morning, Saturday, 3,484 patients have WHO Director-General Tedros longs to the moderate Islamic earlier this week. Britain, Ger- east coast into the sea on Monday to threaten anyone. World Health Organization died, he said. Further updated Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Parti Amanah Negara. many, France, Estonia and Bel- after a three-month halt. The (BBC) (WHO) spokesperson Tarik Jas- figures will be available in organization continues. SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 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 Editor: Mansoor Ahmad Faizy Phone No: +93-797070563 E-mail: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.afghanistantimes.af Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi Advisory editorial board Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal, Saboor Sarir Graphic-Designers: Bilal Yusufi and Basir Qazizada Mar ket i ng & Adver t i si ng: Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0782344728, 0778894038 Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The constitution says Article 119: Members of the Supreme Court shall take the following oath of office in the presence of the President: “In the of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, I swear in the name of God Almighty to attain justice and righteousness in accordance with tenets of the Holy religion of Islam, provisions of this Constitution as well as other laws of Afghanistan, and to execute the judicial duty with utmost honesty, righteousness and impartiality.”

violence” in the week leading up US-Taliban talks were success- ington Post published Afghan Pa- By RAJIV JAYARAM to the agreement has ended and ful. pers, confidential trove of gov- its military operations against Pakistan has said that it was im- ernment documents obtained by Ending America’s “forever wars” the Afghan security forces will possible to cut a deal without its the paper. The documents re- were a key plank of Donald continue as normal, though it will efforts. In a statement issued on vealed that senior US officials Trump’s successful presidential desist from attacking foreign February 22, Minister for For- failed to tell the truth about the election campaign in 2016. On 29 forces to honour the US-Taliban eign Affairs Shah Mahmood war in Afghanistan throughout February, the Trump administra- pact. The pact was signed after Qureshi claimed Pakistan had the 18-year campaign, making tion appeared to have taken a sig- a week-long partial truce, called played a pivotal role in con- rosy pronouncements they knew nificant movement towards fulfill- “reduction in violence” week, structing a roadmap for peace in to be false and hiding unmistak- ing that pledge when it signed an ended across Afghanistan in Afghanistan. “Pompeo told me able evidence the war had become agreement that seeks to end Amer- which the Taliban, Afghan Na- (during the September 2019 vis- unwinnable. As the Afghan Pa- ica’s longest-ever war, in Afghan- tional Army and US-led Nato it) that the pathway to fixing re- pers have offered a stark, perva- istan. The US and Taliban signed forces refrained from launching lations between Pakistan and US sive account of the American in- a deal in Doha on 29 February, attacks against each other as a came through Kabul. Now I tervention in Afghanistan 2001, which is slated to be the first step confidence-building gesture and would like to remind him that there is reason to believe that the towards ushering in an era of also to demonstrate that the Tal- we have fulfilled all our promis- Trump administration is trying to peace, stability and progress in iban can rein in their forces. Ac- es,” he said. One of the “sur- ditch the country for political ex- ast week, the Americans and the Afghan Taliban inked what Afghanistan after savage, devas- cording to the deal, after an ini- rounding countries”, Pakistan, pediency. According to reports, tating 40 years of civil war and tial reduction of troops to 8,600 has invested immensely in Af- Taliban commanders have already appeared to be a historic deal in Doha aimed at laying the foreign occupation. (out of an estimated 13,000) ghanistan’s political future — and started boasting of winning the However, signs have already within 135 days of the deal’s paid a terrible price (a Kalashni- war and defeating the US “impe- groundwork for an end to the nearly two-decade-long con emerged that the deal is rickety — signing, the US and its partners kov culture in the country, bru- rialists” in Afghanistan. With an flict in Afghanistan. However, naysayers who pointed out and an excuse for the Trump ad- will complete the withdrawal of tal Islamist terrorist blowback, a upper hand in the battlefield in ministration to cut and run from all remaining forces from Afghan- radicalised, intolerant society, terms of area under control and that this was a doomed accord right from the outset were right after Afghanistan, disregarding all the istan within 14 months. If the millions of refugees, internation- initiating attacks, it will not be all as neither of the sides seems sincere in sticking to their commit- “blood, treasure and treasury”, in Taliban keep their end up, the al censure and ignominy over its easy to make them commit to a the President’s own words, the US US will lift sanctions against the support for Taliban, to name the give-and-take deal. Taliban’s in- ments. Over the past week, events have been perplexing and paint had invested over 18 years to cre- Taliban and work with the UN foremost among them) — in its transigence, more so with Paki- a bleak picture of the deal’s success. The Afghan government re- ate a peaceful, progressive and to remove its separate sanctions elusive search of “strategic stan’s connivance, could unravel modern nation. against the group. depth” against India in Afghani- the peace and show the hollow- fused to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners. US President Donald The accord had laid down a time- It is a no-brainer that the exit of stan. Since 1994, the Taliban ness of US claims of achieving its Trump and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar talked over the telephone table for a gradual drawdown of US troops from Afghanistan af- were Islamabad’s favoured in- objectives. There is also a ques- American troops from Afghani- ter the peace agreement will be strument to achieve that goal. tion of the kind of Afghanistan for more than half an hour, with the American president comment- stan in exchange for guarantees glorified by President Trump as Pakistan also knows how to get the Taliban wants in future. In an ing that “the relationship is very good that I have with the mullah.” from the Taliban not to allow an incredible foreign policy ac- its way in Afghanistan without opinion piece in The New York trans-national terrorist groups complishment in an election year creating any “bad thing” the Times on February 20 entitled Nonetheless, that relationship came under question when the US such as Al Qaeda to operate terri- in the US. However, the deal American President cares about. ‘What We, the Taliban, Want’, tory under their control. Talks hinges heavily on how the talks For its part, India could antici- Sirajuddin Haqqani, the kingpin bombed Taliban targets soon after the call, apparently because the between the Taliban and the Af- between the Kabul government pate stepped-up jihadi terrorism of the feared Haqqani network, militants had attacked Afghan troops. Furthermore, in a recent hap- ghan government — which until and Taliban progress, a process in Jammu and Kashmir and conveyed a loaded message to the now, the Taliban routinely de- in which the US has little, and should, therefore, augment its world: “I am confident that, lib- pening, violence revisited Kabul on Friday as gunmen affiliated to nounced as a US puppet and re- Pakistan an outsized, control and defences to foil it. India should erated from foreign domination the Daesh terrorist group attacked a memorial gathering for Afghan fused to deal with — are due to influence. Under relentless Amer- also be proactive enough to en- and interference, we together will begin by 10 March, before which ican diplomatic and financial gage the Taliban to protect its find a way to build an Islamic leader, leaving 32 innocent people dead and scores of others wound- both sides are set to swap thou- pressure (such as stopping all interests in Afghanistan. It was system in which all Afghans have ed. The most severe blow of all that came was Trump’s recent sands of prisoners. Just two days military aid, dragging Pakistan to the same President who, in his equal rights, where the rights of after the Doha pact, discordance Financial Action Task Force and first public pronouncement of women that are granted by Islam remarks on the higher prospects of the Taliban to overrun the Af- has set in over the prisoner ex- attaching stringent conditions to 2018, expressed his exasperation — from the right to education to ghan government after the pullout of foreign troops from the coun- change, as President Ashraf Ghani release an IMF loan Pakistan over Pakistan’s support for ter- the right to work — are protect- has announced that his govern- desperately sought) following rorists in Afghanistan even as it ed, and where merit is the basis try as part of the peace pact. “You can only hold someone’s hand ment has not pledged to free 5,000 President Trump’s Afghan strat- pocketed billions of dollars in aid for equal opportunity.” for so long. […] but eventually, they’re going to have to protect Taliban prisoners it has in its cap- egy announcement in August America “foolishly” gave to Is- It is disconcerting that the top tivity. He said such a prisoner re- 2017 and a so-called reset in US- lamabad over 15 years. Little leadership of the Taliban still em- themselves.” It’s without a doubt that true peace can only be lease “cannot be a prerequisite for Pak relations following Secre- over two years later, it would be ploys the same language it used talks”, but must be part of negoti- tary of State Mike Pompeo’s naïve for President Trump now when the group took control of achieved when the Afghans themselves desire it, and all political, ations. visit to Islamabad in September to expect that Pakistan’s four- much of Afghanistan in 1996 and tribal and ethnic interests in the country are willing to exist in har- The Taliban responded on 2 2019 (during the visit, he had decade old outlook and attitude began brutalising it with strict Is- March by saying that the talks made clear that Pakistan will have on peace and stability in Afghan- lamic rule. Such aggressive decla- mony and forge a modus vivendi that sans violence. However, would not go ahead if the Taliban to back the Trump administra- istan and using terrorism as a for- rations from the Taliban are a pre- Trump’s remarks have strong paradoxical overtones. On the one prisoners held by the government tion’s Afghan strategy if it wants eign policy tool has changed on a cursor and underlines the need for were not released. The group has good relations with Washington), dime. the US to stay engaged in the Af- hand, the US is throwing weight behind the Afghan government to announced that a “reduction in Pakistan has ensured that the In December 2019, The Wash- ghan peace process and beyond. protect the gains of the past two decades and on the other, it is openly inviting the Taliban to overpower the incumbent dispensa- tion as soon as they withdraw. Considering this insincerity, the Af- ghans should have realized by now that no foreign power or neigh- For Afghan actor, now a refugee, boring country – which merely pursue their own designs – can dictate peace in Afghanistan and that Afghans must come together survival isthe toughest role in harmony themselves in order to chart out a peaceful future for By ALKIS KONSTAN- hours to receive meals. TINIDIS The food is not enough for the the country. Given these developments, flexibility from both the family of five, so they cook for sides – the Afghan government and the Taliban – is need of the Talibshah Hosini played some themselves on a stove made from tough roles as an actor in Afghan- an empty can filled with char- hour. The Taliban must agree to the precondition of a comprehen- istan before he fled. None was as coal and wood. Afraid of being sive ceasefire and the Afghan government must agree to the release hard as his real-life fight for sur- robbed or hurt, they spend most vival in a refugee camp on the of the time in their shelter. of inmates and thus avoid playing in the hands of foreigners and Greek island of Lesvos. “We have seen things that should The 35-year-old from Faryab not be spoken of. I myself can’t thwart the plans of spoilers of peace. Otherwise, if the sides don’t province in Afghanistan left a ca- sleep at night, just in case some- budge, following this much progress made in the peace process, reer in theater and film in his home one walks into the tent with a country and now spends his days knife and stabs me, god forbid, the choice of returning to the battlefield will always be there and the trying to keep his family safe in a (or) does something awful to my carnage that has characterized life in Afghanistan for the past sever- makeshift shack made of pieces wife,” Hosini said. of wood and metal. “I don’t trust anyone, not even al decades will only continue as Afghans will blindly and uncon- “In the 18 years since I became our neighbors, because they sciously be serving foreign interests. part of the cinema, I have played change all the time.” many tough roles, but this role is The couple will not let their the most difficult one,” he said. daughters, Farima, 9, Parisa, 6 Forced to flee after receiving and Marjan, 3 venture out of the say because if our case isn’t ac- camps are overflowing with gar- threats for staging satires at his shelter alone, fearing they will cepted here and we have to go bage and the portable toilets are Subscription Rates theater company that focused on be assaulted or kidnapped. back to Afghanistan, what will I filthy. There is not much to do, the hardline Islamist Taliban Hosini said the girls suffered do in Afghanistan? If we go back said Hosini. He practices kung fu movement, his journey with his from depression. my children’s futures are ruined,” to keep himself fit, living in the Categories Fee wife and three daughters took them “Their behavior has changed, he said through tears. hope that one day he will return Afghanistan Times to Iran, then to Turkey and even- their spirit has changed, their This family’s asylum request is to his profession as an actor when tually Greece. way of thinking has been one of tens of thousands backed he leaves Lesvos. Six Months $120 at your door step Hosini built a shelter in an olive changed.” up in Greece. In Moria camp, His wife Yasamin said she dreamt For fast delivery service grove next to the official Moria His family’s asylum interview is more than 19,000 live in a space of a normal life. When asked what One Year $240 Afghanistan Times seeks the camp. The grove itself has become not for another year-and-a-half. built for 3,000. There have been she wished for most, she replied: a tent city after Moria overflowed. Tears well up when he is asked attempted suicides, fights that “For calm. Just a quiet area where names, addresses of your end in injuries and self-harming. we can feel human too. We don’t organizations and the number of He and his wife Yasamin wake up what he will do if the applica- before dawn and enter Moria, tak- tion is rejected. Deaths from attacks and acci- have any peace, not at night, or in copies you want. ing turns to wait in line for three “It is hard to say, very hard to dents have also occurred. The the day. Just that.” [Reuters] SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES

Under Trump, America is less prepared for a coronavirus outbreak BY MARVIN OTT similar to that at the end of the By Chelsea Clinton Vietnam War. After a decade of Afghanistan, America’s longest grinding war, the United States The coronavirus that emerged war (almost 19 years and count- wanted out — and Hanoi knew it. from Wuhan, China, last year is ing), may be nearing a conclu- Massive American military and causing alarm across the world, sion. What that conclusion will economic aid to the South Viet- with fear that this could become actually look like is still deeply namese government and army were the next pandemic. Late last uncertain. But for those with a supposed to have equipped them month, the World Health Organi- long memory, what is taking to survive on their own. The Unit- zation declared the virus, named shape bears an eerie similarity ed States and North Vietnam ne- COVID-19, a "Public Health to what happened 45 years ago gotiated a settlement (without the Emergency of International Con- in Vietnam. The origins of the South Vietnamese government’s cern" and urged an immediate in- current war go back to Sept. 11, participation) that allowed the ternational response. It advised its 2001, when al-Qaida used Af- United States to pull out — in re- member states to put in place na- ghanistan as a base to launch turn for Hanoi’s pledge to release tional preparedness plans and attacks on the United States. U.S. prisoners of war and observe procedures for identifying and Afghanistan was ruled by the a ceasefire. The Nixon administra- responding to any COVID-19 Taliban — an ultraconservative tion declared that it would resume cases that might present. The Islamic movement rooted in the bombing if the North violated death toll of more than 2,600 peo- Pashtun tribes that comprise those terms. The threat was an ple far exceeds that of the SARS about 40 percent of the entire empty one and it was not long outbreak nearly 17 years ago. population. The United States before North Vietnamese tanks This outbreak is terrifying for retaliated with a blitzkrieg at- rolled south toward Saigon and the the tens of millions of people im- tack that overthrew the Taliban remaining Americans scrambled to pacted in Wuhan and in countries regime and drove al-Qaida into get out via rooftop helicopters. around the world, and it arguably exile. It was a logistical and mil- Now we have a settlement reached could not come at a worse time itary masterpiece of expedition- between the United States and the for Americans. There's a famous ary warfare over great distances Taliban (without participation by adage in public health: "Outbreaks with a fighting force comprised the Afghan government) under are inevitable; epidemics are not." of CIA paramilitaries, Special which the United States will with- That's because experts across vi- Forces, Marines and regular draw its forces within 14 months rology, genetics, epidemiology, Army — buttressed by over- — in return for a promise by the mathematical modeling, political whelming airpower. Taliban not to allow terrorists to science, and anthropology are But once a nominally pro-West- launch attacks on the United States working to answer crucial ques- ern, democratic Afghan regime or its allies. The Taliban also prom- tions, such as: When did the virus had been installed, the question ise to start peace talks with the make the jump from animals to was what next? The easy an- Afghan government after the re- humans, and from which species? swer was to declare victory and lease of 5,000 of its imprisoned How widespread are cases, how leave. But security analysts fighters, but with no commitment infectious is the disease and how were almost unanimous in their that those talks will actually pro- fatal is it? Scientists are also con- belief that the Taliban (and al- duce anything. President Trump ducting crucial research to help Qaida) would soon return — and has declared, with his usual bom- develop a vaccine, diagnose cases with them the potential for new bast, that if the Taliban don’t be- more rapidly and develop public attacks. President George W. have and let “bad things happen, health containment strategies. Bush had campaigned on a we’ll go back so fast, with a force Under former President Barack pledge to never be drawn into like nobody’s ever seen!” That Obama, infrastructure was estab- “nation-building” in Third World threat is as empty as Nixon’s was lished to respond to the Ebola and countries. Memories of Vietnam 45 years ago. The Afghan govern- Zika outbreaks and to ensure that were still raw. But once a deci- ment officials, like the South Viet- they did not become pandemics. sion was made to stay, the only namese before them, are not hap- Why coronavirus is an ethical way forward was to support the py with a settlement that leaves minefield new government with econom- them on the sidelines — and now Unfortunately, President ic and security assistance de- terribly vulnerable. They know Donald Trump has taken actions signed to transform Afghanistan that Trump cares only about his that many doctors and experts By Andrew Bacevich The truth is, in this faraway Cen- world’s opium supply. And ef- the Taliban will have achieved into a country that would no own political situation and is com- agree will leave the US less pre- tral Asian country, we have sus- forts to curb rampant corruption precisely what it has long fought longer harbor jihadist fanatics. pletely indifferent to what hap- pens in Afghanistan once U.S. pared to respond to COVID-19. Is “peace in our time” in Afghan- tained a major defeat. The deal, have come nowhere close to suc- for. That’s victory. The central This was nation-building. Just He has eliminated the position of which in the details began fraying cess, with Transparency Interna- lesson for the U.S. in this long as in the early days of Ameri- personnel are out. The only lever- istan at hand? President Donald ca’s involvement in Vietnam, no age the Kabul government has at Global Health Czar and has re- Trump thinks so. He described almost immediately after being tional ranking Afghanistan among and futile conflict, compounded peatedly proposed cuts impor- signed, amounts to an admission the world’s most corrupt nations. by our experience in the Iraq War, one had any real appreciation this point consists of the Taliban the agreement signed last week of the magnitude of the task in prisoners it holds. President tant to global health funding -- by an American diplomat and a of failure. The Trump administra- Each of these figured as major U.S. is plain: The proper mission of thankfully that have failed to pass tion’s desire to call it quits has over- policy objectives. None has re- the U.S. military is to deter and front of them. The U.S. effort Ashraf Ghani wants the Taliban Taliban official as providing “a has been massive (as it was in to come to him before he agrees to in Congress. He's shown his an- powerful path forward to end the ridden what justified a U.S. mili- sulted in mission accomplish- to defend — a statement that tipathy toward addressing health Vietnam) with over 2,500 U.S. anything. Taliban leaders are al- war in Afghanistan and bring our tary presence in Afghanistan in the ment. Only with regard to the ought to be inscribed over the soldiers dead, over 20,000 ready threatening to scuttle the emergencies like this one, most first place. Here are the facts. De- education of girls — an estimat- main entrance to the Pentagon, if recently in his proposed 2021 troops home.” We must hope he wounded and over $2 trillion of whole settlement over this dis- is correct. Yet the prospective spite the loss of more than 6,000 ed 3.5 million are today attend- not added to the oath of office taxpayer money spent. The fi- pute. Where is all this headed? budget for the Department of American dead and the expendi- ing Afghan schools — can U.S. taken by the commander in chief. Health and Human Services, end of the longest war in U.S. nal tab will be far higher. At its Brett McGurk, the administra- history does not find Americans ture of roughly a trillion dollars, efforts be said to have achieved Never again should it be the pur- peak, the United States and its tion’s former point man in the which would cut $3 billion from U.S. forces have never come close even modest success, with polit- pose of American forces to over- response and preparedness funds. dancing in the streets. With the NATO allies had 150,000 sol- campaign against the Islamic State, We write this with long experi- spread of the coronavirus and the to defeating the Afghan Taliban. ical dysfunction and inadequate throw regimes in distant lands diers on the ground plus an ar- cites the Trump administration’s ence in global health and having ongoing drama of the Democrat- Indeed, government figures put the security putting even that mod- with vague expectations of being mada of tactical aircraft. commitment to withdraw all U.S. looked closely at outbreak pre- ic primaries, Afghanistan figures enemy-initiated attacks in the last est achievement at risk. But wait, able to install a political order And yet, after all that the Tali- forces from Afghanistan within 14 vention and response in our book, quarter of 2019 ata nine-year high. some will say: Since U.S. forces more to our liking. That way lies ban, by any realistic measure, months. “That will likely produce at best as an afterthought in news a gradual collapse of the [Afghan] "Governing Global Health: Who media and the public mind. Be- Programs aimed at building Afghan arrived in Afghanistan more than only more “endless wars.” If se- are winning. Afghan government Runs the World and Why?" Two military and police forces able to 18 years ago, the United States nior U.S. national security offi- forces (police and army) have state, civil war and the Taliban sides, the nation has long since had nearly two decades of train- back in Kabul.” That sounds very aspects in particular worry us grown weary of armed interven- provide security have also failed. has not experienced a recurrence cials can absorb that lesson, then about the White House's re- So too have efforts to install in of 9/11. But this assumes a non- perhaps the war in Afghanistan ing and support by U.S. forces like the outcome in Vietnam. Tali- tions that drag on and on as if on including a complete monopoly ban negotiators are already pro- sponse, or lack thereof. We have autopilot. No Gettysburg, no D- Kabul a unified government that existent causal relationship. Tali- will not have been a complete a President uninterested in global commands the support of the Af- ban fighters have not been wag- waste. of airpower. Despite all that, claiming victory — after all, their day — just sporadic reports of they actually control barely half overriding objective since the first health concerns, broadly disdain- bombs dropped and people ghan people. There are today two ing a global jihad targeting the Alas, that assumes a capacity for ful of experts and recently ob- of Afghanistan’s territory and U.S. soldier set foot in Afghani- killed. Even so, while the peace rival claimants to the Afghan pres- United States. Their purpose re- learning that in Washington is not that proportion is shrinking. stan has been to get the Ameri- sessed with and distracted by his idency. As for the $9 billion in U.S. mains what it was when Afghan much in evidence. impeachment. plan may not prompt Americans Meanwhile, President Trump cans out. They have achieved that to celebrate, it ought to provide taxpayer money expended to re- mujahideen resisted Soviet occu- Andrew Bacevich is a contribut- has repeatedly declared that he in return for nothing more tangi- Trump has often shown deep duce the cultivation of opium, that pation in the 1980s: They are ing writer to Opinion. He is pres- ignorance and cruelty on issues an occasion for sober reflection. wants U.S. forces out — and ble than a promise not to harbor At least for now, our instinctive effort has yielded essentially noth- determined to oust foreign occu- ident of the Quincy Institute for soon. The message to the Tali- terrorists and to sit in the same of global health. During the Ebola ing, as a detailed report in the Wash- pying forces. Responsible Statecraft and au- outbreak, when he was still a re- urge to move on, to forget, can ban is clear: give the Americans room with Afghan government ality TV host, he said the US wait. After nearly 20 years, the ington Post made clear in Decem- If the peace deal holds at all, and thor of “The Age of Illusions: a fig leaf they can portray as a representatives. Lest we forget, should not allow Ebola-infected United States has accomplished ber. Afghanistan today reportedly Trump withdraws U.S. troops as How America Squandered Its “success” and they will be gone. the outcome in Vietnam was not a citizens and aid workers to come exceedingly little in Afghanistan. produces more than 90% of the he has repeatedly vowed to do, Cold War Victory.” The situation is remarkably stalemate. It was a defeat. back to the US and should let them "suffer the consequences." He even deliberately spread misinfor- mation, saying Ebola was: "Spreading all over Africa-and fast. The resurrection of the Stop flights" and "The U.S. must Croatiais immediately stop all flights from EBOLA infected countries or the US political establishment plague will start and spread in- side our 'borders.' Act fast!" He said this even though halting acrucible By Larry Beinhart in the primaries may have noth- come to vote or stay home to sulk? flights would bring potentially ing to do with winning the gen- In a lot of states - including harmful consequences, like "hin- His resurrection is the resurrec- eral election. What states are Super Tuesday's California, Mas- dering info-sharing, medical sup- tion of the establishment. In this genuinely up for grabs? There sachusetts, Minnesota, even Vir- ply chains and harming econo- case, and in this context, the res- are all kinds of polls and track- ginia - it does not matter - because of hyper- ing trends and this and thats, but of the electoral college. They are mies," according to the World urrection of the Democratic Par- Health Organization director gen- ty as a political party by, for, the most realistic and practical Dem states. We have not yet had eral Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- and of, the establishment. A po- view is to assume that all the primaries in most of the states sus. In 2014-2015 during the Ebola litical party that will embrace and states that went Republican in where it does matter. We are far outbreak, his apparent disdain nationalism protect the status quo of money: the Obama-McCain election of from seeing how the various fac- lived largely on Twitter. Now, in money in politics, money buy- 2008 are Republican and all tions will conduct themselves addition to sharing his often false ing influence, and money exercis- those that went for Hillary Clin- when the real election comes. opinions on Twitter, he claimed By Denijal Jegic Croatia's political elite succumbed Croatian forces regained control ing power - though in the polite, ton over Donald Trump in 2016 Right now, it looks like Biden is earlier this month that the coro- to historic revisionism and the glo- over all of Croatia with an exten- familiar ways we are used to, not are Democratic. By that rule of the nominee. But there is a level rification of war criminals for po- sive military operation code- thumb, only one of the 14 states on which Sanders has already navirus would weaken in the Earlier this year, Croatians elect- in the vulgar, low-life, rub every- warmer weather despite no evi- litical gain. This allowed far-right named Oluja (Storm) and paved one's face in it, Trump-style. that had Democratic primaries won. The party's positions on ed former Prime Minister Zoran narratives to move into the main- the way for the country's inde- on Super Tuesday will be genu- healthcare, raising taxes on the rich, dence to that effect. The Trump Milanovic, a Social Democrat, as Joe absolutely represents the administration is chronically in- stream and contributed to the ris- pendence. Today, Croatia cele- establishment. Barack Obama inely contested in the 2020 elec- the Green New Deal, did not come their president. The victory of ing popularity of nationalist, xe- brates this operation as an act of tion - North Carolina. from Biden, they came from Bern- ept at, and seemingly uninterest- Milanovic, who ran on a prom- picked him, the oldest most es- ed in, any type of long-term plan- nophobic and racist ideas in the liberation, but many Serbs regard tablishment white guy around, as Yes, the Dems dream of con- ie. It would be great if he - and his ise to make Croatia a more toler- country. it as an act of ethnic cleansing as verting Texas. The media loves followers - can celebrate that. For ning, given the numerous posi- ant country and turn the page on his vice president to balance tions in government that remain In 2019, there was a spike in the operation that freed Croatia against the radical shock of hav- the idea because it is exciting. that matter, if Biden can, too, and its wartime past, was seen by nationalist violence and hate crimes also led to the displacement of But it is very unlikely. If they say thank you, please join us in vacant as well as the constant ro- many as a sign that the country ing an African-American presi- tation of key cabinet positions in Croatia. A year earlier, a Euro- Croatia's indigenous Serbian dent. At the start of this run, all do win Texas, it will mark a making your ideas come true. Al- was moving away from the far- pean Commission report warned population. Bosnian-Croat forc- change as sweeping as Ronald most as a footnote, it brings up and the ad hoc decisions made on right, nationalist ideas that have the establishment figures in the the basis of a conversation or Fox that "racist and intolerant hate es also committed war crimes and party and in the media embraced Reagan's victory over Jimmy the issue of prosecutions. Let us become prevalent in the region speech in public discourse is esca- crimes against humanity during Carter in 1980, when he took all presume that a Democrat wins. News clip. That posture, collid- and beyond. Milanovic, who him. The positive is that he is ing with an anti-science and anti- lating" in the country, with the main their war against Bosnian forces. about as honest and decent a rep- but six states and the District of Trump, his family, and his admin- dominated big cities but failed to targets being "Serbs, LGBT per- In 1993-1994, the leadership of Columbia. The establishment’s istration are rife with corruption expert bias, has corroded our ep- have significant success in more resentative of the breed that there idemic preparedness. Columbia sons and Roma". The report add- the self-proclaimed "Croatian is. 1,991 delegates are needed to sales pitch against Sanders and and abuse of the law. One of the conservative rural areas, howev- ed that the response of the Croat- Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia" em- for Biden (or - until now - a great and enduring flaws of the University has even tracked more er, won thanks in part to a split win the nomination. At the mo- than 400 cases of the Trump ad- ian authorities to this worrying barked on a campaign to carve an ment, Biden has 565 to Sanders's Biden substitute) has been that Obama administration was the fail- in the right. Moreover, he incor- trend has been weak. The ideas of ethnically pure Croatian mini- Trump would beat a radical, but ure to prosecute the financial ministration's efforts to restrict or porated some right-wing ele- 506. While some of that repre- dismiss scientific research, edu- ethnic supremacy that are gaining state in Bosnia and Herzegovina sents estimates and it is chang- will fall to an establishment crimes that led to the crash of ments in his campaign to attract ground in Croatia today have their through violence and terror, with type. It seems sort of sensible. 2008. Obama was very eager to cation or discussion, or the publi- conservative voters. Despite a ing, the basic ratio is correct. The cation or use of scientific infor- roots in Croatia's War of Indepen- plans for Croatia to later annex consensus - especially the estab- Americans voting for a Social- say, "Hey, I'm one of you. You Social Democrat's ascent to the dence (fought between 1991-1995 the territory. This endeavour, ist? Never! Except that they rich, white guys don't have to be mation since 2016. presidency, therefore, there is no lishment consensus - is that the The dissolution of the entire amid the Yugoslav wars of the which had Croatia's support, trig- Super Tuesday victories that got elected an African-American! afraid." But it backfired. The rage reason to assume the country's 1990s). During Croats' struggle for gered a war between Croat and Then an orange-skinned, pu*** of the people against the rich global health security unit and re- dangerous shift towards the right us to this delegate count have put moval of global health security sovereignty against Yugoslav and Bosnian forces. During this war, Biden on the road to certain vic- grabber with a long history of turned to the Right. It became the has come to an end. During the Serbian forces, who had occupied Bosnian Croats forced Muslims cheating people. Both represent Tea Party then the Trumpers. It expert Timothy Ziemer from the presidency of Milanovic's right- tory. Barring unforeseen jarring National Security Council was the a third of their country, thousands from their homes and then shelled events, this is likely true. In the revolts against the establish- put the Obama seal on the Age of wing predecessor, Kolinda Gra- lost their lives and around 300,000 and besieged them for months. ment. Biden, who has lost his No Accountability, and Trump has final step in a process. bar-Kitarovic, some within candidate selection process, del- others were displaced. In 1995, (Aljazeera) egates are awarded proportion- two previous attempts, could run with it. Biden and the estab- ally. In the real election, that hap- certainly be the Hillary of 2020. lishment figures around him are pens in only two minor states - Does the electorate have enough peddling "reconciliation". If that Maine and Nebraska. In all the rage and disgust at the Trumpi- leads to no prosecutions, it will Disclaimer: rest, the winner - albeit by a sin- an version of establishment de- be a huge mistake. It will also be gle vote - gets all the votes from struction to come out and vote an affront to truth. It is only in The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) that state. That introduces a for a return to the dull older vir- criminal prosecutions, with docu- and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. whole set of distortions. The tues? Also, if Sanders voters see ments dragged out by subpoena most important is that winning Biden's nomination as an estab- and testimony under penalty of lishment manipulation, will they perjury, that any kind. SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES

The scale of the death and de- In a conflict that is unpre- Syria is dropped from planes that struction in Syria is unfathom- dictable and always changing, are within range of NATO anti- able. While the United Nations there are only two rules: no mat- aircraft batteries. The Syrian stopped counting the dead in ter how unbelievably bad every- atrocity is like a murder happen- 2016 and the casualties of the thing is, if you wait a few ing on the steps of a police sta- revolution-turned-proxy-war are months it will get worse—and tion, where those capable of stop- notoriously hard to calculate, it’s the world will ignore it. For near- ping the killing simply watch an extremely conservative esti- ly a decade the world has watched through their windows and wag mate that half a million people the horrors of the Syrian war their fingers. The international have been killed—approximate- play out on grainy YouTube vid- community has had many oppor- ly 2.5 percent of Syria’s prewar eos and done little to stop the tunities to limit Assad’s war-mak- population. Another 6.7 million horror. While some estimate that ing capabilities, or even to remove refugees, one third of the popu- Assad’s government is respon- him from power. Syria has repeat- lation, have fled the country and sible for up to 92 percent of the edly crossed the “red line” by us- another 6.1 million have been deaths in Syria, the international ing chemical weapons against the internally displaced, some of community has only intervened civilian populace, most famously them multiple times. All of that to fight the terrorist organisation in 2013. Each time the response was before this latest round of Islamic State, allowing the ma- has been little more than a pin- fighting in Idlib. Since Decem- jority of the killing to go un- prick in the arm of a murderous ber, more than 900,000 civilians checked. While weapons and regime and the crisis is the result have been displaced by the re- supplies have, from time to time, of that inaction. Every time there lentless military campaign waged been provided by various nations is such an incident, there are those by the regime of Bashar Assad to various groups fighting in Syr- who offer up excuses for our col- Clashes between Greek police and from this part of the border. around it,” it said. The handout vented to cross and arrests, the and its allies Iran and Russia. ia, the only outside forces that lective inaction. One such excuse migrants amassed at the Greece- A drone is flying over the Kast- was accompanied by photo- flow appears to have been reduced. Add to all of this the hun- seem truly committed to winning is that foreign intervention in the Turkey border crossing of Kast- anies border crossing, but it is un- graphs and a video. The text says “This situation must end, because dreds of thousands, perhaps mil- the conflict are Iran and Russia— Middle East has brought little but anies erupted Saturday morning. clear whom it belongs to and what that one photo shows “Turkish it is difficult both for us and the lions, of physical injuries, the and their actions have driven the agony and death. If one just looks Greek police used tear gas to push its purpose is. In an unofficial security personnel openly Turkish locals on the other side. diseases, the starvation, and the killing in Syria to new extremes. at Syria’s neighbour Iraq, it’s hard back the migrants. Turkish po- handout, the Greek government position(ing) themselves and But it is also hard on these kids fear, and the nearly infinite psy- Worse yet, unlike other mod- to argue against this point. How- lice also threw tear gas at Greek accused Turkey of targeting Greek assum(ing) formation shortly sitting in the cold and rain and chological damage, and Syria eas- ern mass killings, Syria is not in ever, when the whole world failed police, but, for the first time, also forces with tear gas. "Attacks with before the start of the incident." playing a cat-and-mouse game,” ily ranks as one of the most ap- some remote area. It is at the to intervene to stop the killing in targeted the migrants, apparent- tear gas towards Greek forces at Although Greece has not yet said Theodoros Charisiades, resi- palling conflicts since the Sec- crossroads of the world. Each Syria, Iran and Russia intervened ly aiming at pushing them away the Kastanies border crossing and released figures of migrants pre- dent of Kastanies. ond World War. bomb that falls on civilians in to intensify it. WhyBidenwonandcanSanders make a comeback? Iran'sRevolutionary European Democratic Party's swamped man race on Super Tuesday after the launching pad. Vermont Sen- history and hitherto dreary elec- contest for the U.S. presidential a renascent Joe Biden scored some ator Sanders dashed into the Elec- toral campaign never appeared to disaster! candidature, akin to the World stunning and terrific victories in tion Day with sky-high expecta- transpire into a sort of a rampage Guardseeksabsolution Wrestling Entertainment crowd- Texas, Minnesota and Massachu- tions for the presidential nomi- on Super Tuesday. Biden's belat- Benfica went out to Shakhtar ed Royal Rumble event that aims setts and pulled off 10 out of the nee to be finalized at the Demo- ed turnaround, after running a dead Donetsk after leading 3-1 at home to toss the rivals over the top 14 states up for grab, capping the cratic convention in July as com- campaign as recently as of last invirusfight before being pegged back to 3-3 rope, markedly became a two- rival Bernie Sanders' dream run at pared to Biden whose political week, not only coaxed. (agg 4-5). The victorious Ukrai- nian side included former Olhan- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates earthquakes that shake the coun- ense favourite Ismaily at the heart (AP) - Wearing gas masks and try. Recent floods saw its troops of their midfield. Sporting were waterproof fatigues, members of mobilize as well. Its forces, in a strong position, having won Iran's Revolutionary Guard now which include virologists, faced the first-leg 3-1, as they travelled India makes spray down streets and hospi- chemical weapons during Iran's to Turkey but Istanbul Basakse- tals with disinfectants as the Is- eight-year war against Iraq in the hir turned the game on its head to lamic Republic faces one of the 1980s. It expanded into private win 4-1 (agg 4-5). There has been u-turn on TV world's worst outbreaks of the industry after the war years to an alarming slide in the quality of new coronavirus. Its command- help the country rebuild. And the Portugal’s top flight with more- ers likely hope it also will wash Guard, also known by the acro- and-more players being attracted away something else - the anger nym IRGC, has conducted polio to the rich awards offered by oth- ban over Delhi the public feels toward the pow- and other immunization drives er major European leagues. It was erful paramilitary force stained in the past. "The IRGC sees it- only sixteen years ago that FC by its shooting down of a Ukrai- self as the lead agency in any Porto won the Champions League nian passenger jet in January. All threat against the regime," said under José Mourinho. One year US raises travel alert riot coverage 176 people on board - most of Afshon Ostovar, an assistant earlier Porto had triumphed in them Iranian citizens - were professor at the Naval Postgrad- Europe’s secondary competition levels for Azerbaijan, The Indian government back- cades, over two-thirds of them killed. The push by the Guard uate School in the United States and would do so again in 2011, tracked Saturday after slapping from India's Muslim minority, ac- comes as the new virus has in- who wrote book on the Guard. while Sporting, Braga and Benfi- a 48-hour ban on two TV chan- cording to hospital lists. fected and killed members of Ira- "Whether it's protests, a state ca (twice) also made the Europa Turkmenistan nels for what officials called bi- Mosques were burnt and van- nian officialdom. Ensuring the adversary or a virus, the IRGC League final between 2005 and The US State Department on Fri- its alert level for travel to Turk- ased coverage of New Delhi ri- dalised along with Hindu-owned survival of the government - as will position itself publicly as 2014. In the past Portugal has day raised its alert level for travel menistan due to travel restrictions ots. A blackout of Asianet News shops and at least 15 Hindus were well as its own place in power - Iran's frontline defender." Today, nurtured and developed players to Azerbaijan, warning Americans and quarantine procedures insti- and MediaOne was ordered on killed. remains paramount amid one of the Guard controls broad parts of the calibre of Hulk, Di Maria, to reconsider travel there due to a tuted in response to the virus. Friday but lifted after an outcry - 'Undemocratic' - the world's deadliest virus out- of Iran's economy, including its James Rodríguez, Falcao, David coronavirus outbreak and re- Neither country has reported from opposition groups and pro- MediaOne called the ban "a breaks outside of China. Fear powerful construction company Luiz, Ederson, Jan Oblak and Eric sponse measures implemented by many cases, but they both border tests by the channels to the in- blatant attack on free and fair re- over the virus and the govern- Khatam al-Anbiya. Exactly how Dyer as well as top-class local the country’s government, Reu- Iran, which has been hard hit by formation and broadcasting min- porting" and an "unprecedented ment's waning credibility has much it controls is in dispute, talent such as Rui Patrício, Will- ters reported. the coronavirus. istry. Information minister and undemocratic action". It also become a major challenge to Iran's with estimates ranging from be- iam Carvalho, Ricardo Carvalho The State Department also raised (AP) Prakash Javadekar said Prime said it was penalised for criticis- leaders, who already are reeling low 10% to as much as 40%, but and Fábio Coentrão to name just Minister Narendra Modi request- ing Delhi police and the Rashtriya under the weight of American Iran's government needs the a few. One major and obvious ed the ban be revoked on learning Swayamsevak Sangh, a Hindu na- sanctions. "We have prepared Guard's economic muscle in cause of the country’s increasing of it. "Our basic belief is that press tionalist group close to Modi's all our health care facilities and times of crisis, especially as it inability to compete at the top of Uzbekistan, EAEU freedom is essential in a demo- ruling right-wing party. Indian gov- specialized cadres that will ex- faces crushing sanctions from the the European game is the huge fi- cratic set-up," Javadekar told re- ernments have long been sensitive pand this sacred jihad," said Brig. U.S. The Guard's troops have nancial disparity among the foot- porters when asked about the to media coverage and criticism, Gen. Gholamreza Soleimani, who moved into hard-hit cities like ball elite. Never before has there discuss cooperation move. A government order had analysts say. In 2016, officials commands the Guard's volunteer Tehran, Rasht and Qom. Using been such a chasm in wealth be- accused the channels of covering banned NDTV's Hindi-language Basij force. That the Guard is modular construction, they've tween the richest leagues and the development issues last month's deadly riots in the channel for 24 hours for broad- involved in the relief effort of a quickly built hospitals and cre- rest. The expert use of third-par- capital "in a manner that high- casting details of an attack by mil- major catastrophe is not surpris- ated a headquarters called the ty ownership enabled Portuguese The Cabinet of Ministers of the and actively developing market lighted the attack on places of itants on an air force base. The ing in Iran. The Guard, whose Coronavirus Fight Base, staffed clubs, with the help of external investment funds, to attract top Republic of Uzbekistan hosted reforms. Researches of leading in- worship and siding towards a government also banned Qatar- forces include an estimated with so-called "modern warfare particular community". At least based channel Al Jazeera for five emerging talent but when UEFA a meeting to discuss the issue of dependent consulting companies 125,000-plus troops and units" who focus on responses 50 people were killed in Delhi's days in 2015 for displaying a map 600,000 mission-ready volun- to chemical, biological and cy- outlawed third-party ownership submitting conclusions and pro- on this issue and research institu- worst sectarian violence in de- of the disputed Kashmir region that well ran dry. posals to the Chambers of the tions, proposals and conclusions teers, routinely respond to the berattacks. Oliy Majlis on the results of an of foreign and local experts were analytical and comprehensive also considered at the meeting. assessment of cooperation with Expert opinions on major sectors RUSSIATRIED TO the Eurasian Economic Union of the economy and industrial pol- Brazilrecallsdiplomats,officialsfromVenezuela (EAEU). It was noted that the icy, regulation of customs tariffs results of reforms carried out in and foreign trade policy, labor mi- HINDER, INFLUENCE Uzbekistan at the new stage are gration, standardization and vet- associated with integration into erinary medicine, sanitary and MH17 INVESTIGATION the world economy system and phytosanitary control and other especially with development of issues were studied. ON MULTIPLE FRONTS: trade-economic relations with Following the event, a decision neighboring countries. Econom- was taken to submit to the Cham- ic integration plays an important bers of the Oliy Majlis the con- REPORT role in increasing the competi- clusion and proposals developed Russia, and specifically the Rus- viously worked for a Kremlin se- tiveness of products, reducing on the basis of the analytical and sian secret service GRU, used curity service. According to the their cost, importing new tech- comprehensive assessment. multiple tactics to influence and Volkskrant, this was likely the nologies, expanding transit trade (BBC) hinder the investigation into the Russian government's first step to downing of flight MH17 in east- get a grip on the investigation. ern Ukraine, the Volkskrant re- Some weeks after the disaster, ports based on sources and its Malaysian pilots visited the Neth- Uzbekistan says it own research just days before the erlands to translate the conversa- trail against the first four sus- tion that their colleagues who pi- pects in this case is set to start. loted MH17 had with each other will be 'observer' of The Dutch investigators are con- on the disastrous flight. In that vinced that these multiple at- same period, two members of the Russia-led trade bloc tempts were unsuccessful, they GRU were in the Netherlands, the said to the newspaper. newspaper wrote. These were Uzbekistan says it will become er in 2016 following the death of Flight MH17 was shot down in members of a notorious unit that an observer of a Russia-led eco- longtime leader Islam Karimov nomic union before deciding who showed no willingness to join. eastern Ukraine on 17 July 2014. was later allegedly involved in an All 298 people on board the attempt to poison a Bulgarian arms Brazil's right-wing government Maduro. Roughly 10,000 Bra- early last year following the op- whether it joins or not, Tashkent Observers say Uzbek-Russian ties has started pulling its diplomats zilians are living in Venezuela, position-controlled parliament's announced on March 7. The Eur- have warmed under Mirziyoev Malaysian Airlines Boeing were dealer in 2015, a failed cop in asian Economic Union (EES) was who has ended his predecessor's killed, including 196 Dutch peo- Montenegro in 2016, and the poi- out of the embassy and consu- and Brazilian authorities say branding of Maduro as a usurper established by Russia and allies isolationist policies and has sought ple. Immediately after the crash, soning of former Russian spy Ser- late in Caracas as it moves to more than half a million Venezu- over his 2018 re-election in a poll Belarus and Kazakhstan in 2015. to boost foreign investment. the Dutch Safety Board (OVV) gei Skripal in Great Britain in downgrade relations with Vene- elans have fled the country's eco- widely derided as rigged. Brasilia It has since grown to include Ar- With a population of 34 million launched an investigation into its 2018. One of the two who were in zuela's leftist government. nomic and political crisis into has also recognised the ambassa- menia and Kyrgyzstan. Another Uzbekistan could potentially be- cause, according to the newspa- the Netherlands, is the leader of Instructions published on Thurs- Brazil, with many of them con- dor to Brazil appointed by former Soviet republic, Moldo- come the second-biggest consum- per. Part of this was establishing this unit. What they were doing in day in the official gazette re- tinuing to other South American Guaido, Maria Teresa Belandria. va, is an observer. The bloc aims er market in the EES after Russia. contact with its Russian coun- the Netherlands is not clear. "But moved five diplomats and 11 nations. For the Brazilian gov- Belandria has to date lived and to ensure free flow of goods and In his State of the Union address terpart, the Russian Interstate a relationship with MH17 is ob- members of consular staff in ernment, it clears a path to ask worked out of a Brasilia hotel be- capital within its borders, al- to parliament on January 24, Mirz- Aviation Committee (MAK). vious," one of the newspaper's Caracas, including Consul Gen- Venezuela's diplomats to leave cause the Venezuelan embassy is though some members have criti- iyoev said his government "is Until this point, the Netherlands sources said. Six months later, it eral Elza de Castro and two min- Brazil. Brazil is one of more than still controlled by Maduro repre- cized it for allowing too many studying ways to cooperate with had a good relationship with turned out that two former GRU ister counsellors at the embassy. 50 countries to have recognised sentatives, most notably the mil- exceptions to free trade. the Eurasian Economic Union." MAK. A few days later, it turned members were part of the Rus- It marks a new level of tension the claim of Venezuela's opposi- itary attache Major General Man- The EES has been courting Mirziyoev noted that 80 percent out that MAK had been replaced sian state committee that was co- between Brazil's far-right Presi- tion leader Juan Guaido to be his uel Barroso who de facto runs the Uzbekistan since President of Uzbekistan’s products pass by a five-member state commit- operating with the OVV in the dent Jair Bolsonaro and Venezu- country's acting president. embassy, which has not had an Shavkat Mirziyoev came to pow- through EES member states. tee, with a team leader who pre- MH17 investigation, according. ela's socialist leader Nicolas Guaido made the proclamation ambassador since 2016. SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES

I MF to provide 50-bln-USD emergency financing to help address COVI D-19 The International Monetary The IMF chief said she is "partic- Government working at four levels to achieve the $5 trillion economy Fund (IMF) is making available ularly concerned about our low- about 50 billion U.S. dollars income and more vulnerable mem- target -- collaboration, competition and creation of wealth, says the PM through its rapid-disbursing bers -- these countries may see fi- emergency financing facilities nancing needs rise rapidly as the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for low-income and emerging economic and human cost of the has said despite the global econo- market countries in light of the virus escalates." For low-income my facing downturns, India has COVID-19 outbreak, the mul- countries, the IMF has rapid-dis- seen minimum impact due to the tilateral lender announced bursing emergency financing of up government's pro-active steps. He Wednesday. "We know that the to 10 billion dollars (50 percent of said the Modi government was disease is spreading quickly. quota of eligible members) that can dealing strictly with both corrup- With over one-third of our mem- be accessed without a full-fledged tion and cronyism, adding his gov- bership affected directly, this is IMF program, according to Geor- ernment had focussed on "simpli- no longer a regional issue -- it is gieva. Other members can access fication, rationalisation and trans- a global problem calling for a glo- emergency financing through the parency". The Prime Minister, bal response," IMF Managing Rapid Financing Instrument, during The Economic Times Glo- Director Kristalina Georgieva which could provide about 40 bil- bal Business Summit, said the said at a joint press conference lion dollars for emerging markets government was working at four with World Bank Group Presi- that "could potentially approach levels to achieve the $5 trillion dent David Malpass. "Under us for financial support," she said. economy target -- collaboration, any scenario, global growth in The IMF chief added that the Ca- competition and creation of 2020 will drop below last year's tastrophe Containment and Relief wealth. The PM, talking about the level," said Georgieva. In Janu- Trust, which proved to be effec- initiatives taken by his government ary, the IMF had projected glo- tive during the 2014 Ebola out- on replacing old laws, said: "To bal growth to improve to 3.3 break, is now underfunded with promote fair competition, we are percent this year from 2.9 per- just over 200 million dollars avail- dealing strictly with both corrup- cent last year. Then in Febru- able against possible needs of over tion and cronyism. Be it banking, ary, it revised down 2020 global 1 billion dollars. FDI (foreign direct investment) growth to 3.2 percent. "I called on member countries policies or allotment of natural Dropping below last year's to help ensure that this facility is resources -- cronyism is being re- level means further downgrad- fully re-charged and ready for the moved from every sphere. We ing of global growth forecast. current crisis," she said. have focussed on simplification, rationalisation and transparency." On India's role in the global economy, the PM said the coun- try had become a major part of the global economic system. "Re- cently, we have become the worlds' fifth-largest economy. Six- year-ago, we were at the 11th spot. In such a short time, we have come to the fifth spot," he said. Referring to the 'Vivad Se Vishwas' scheme, the PM said his Rs 9.32-lakh crore that is cur- about new global challenges, the er of Collaborate to Create," he in airports, increased cargo han- government de-criminalised sev- rently locked up in various ap- PM said the world was facing a added. Listing out his govern- dling at our ports had led major eral provisions of the Companies pellate forums such as Commis- huge challenge in the form of 'Nov- ment's achievements, the PM said economic boost. The Prime Min- Act. The bill, passed in the Lok sioner (Appeals), ITAT, High el Coronavirus'. "We have to face in the last six years, the pace of ister said India was among the Sabha recently, aims to resolve Courts, Supreme Court and Debt this challenge together and emerge highways construction, railway major countries where corporate 4.83 lakh direct tax cases worth Recovery Tribunals. Talking victorious with the resolution pow- electrification, capacity addition tax was the lowest.

For years, Nairobi has faced teeth- our economic centre, controls al- a capital city, and for it to be ing challenges, and with Governor most 24 per cent of Kenya’s placed under special circumstanc- KAZINFORM This week, Am- cussed in Brussels EU Ambas- Mike Sonko surrendering key coun- Gross Domestic Product. Letting es, will not be unprecedented. bassador Zhalgas Adilbayev met sadors pay visit to Shymkent and ty roles to the national government Nairobi fall, as it was close to Washington DC is the capital of with Economic and Industrial Turkestan The parties particu- as he faces graft charges in court doing, would perhaps be the first the US, but the residents do not Policy Advisor to the President larly emphasized their interest in and an impeachment motion, dras- domino in Kenya’s economy fall- sit in any one of the 50 states. of Mongolia Erdenebat Tseveen- further expanding trade and eco- tic action had to be taken. It would ing. Even Sonko admitted in a The city is run by the Govern- The Uzbek government dis- cal work by independent think dorj, during which prospects for nomic cooperation in the fields have been nothing short of negli- Facebook post that part of the ment of the District of Colum- cussed the conclusion and sug- tanks and consulting agencies, re- bilateral cooperation in trade, eco- of agriculture, energy, mining, gent for business to continue as move was to improve service de- bia, within the Legislative branch gestions on cooperation with search institutes on major econom- nomic and investment spheres transport logistics and aviation. normal in the capital city and the livery and “help strengthen dev- of Federal government, which the Eurasian Economic Union ic sectors, industrial policy, cus- were discussed, the press service The sides also exchanged views region’s economic and commercial olution.” What Sonko meant by makes the government a Federal following analytical compre- toms tariffs, labor migration, stan- of the Kazakh Embassy in Mon- on the issues of holding an exhi- hub. President Uhuru Kenyatta’s this is that devolution cannot af- agency. In Nigeria, Abuja is run hensive review that will be sub- dardization and veterinary, sani- golia informed. RELATED bition of Kazakhstan producers decision to ask Sonko to hand over ford to lose the support of the by the Federal Capital Territory mitted to the Legislative Cham- tary and phytosanitary control. NEWS Kazakh Ambassador to and the 8th meeting of the Inter- the reins has elicited mixed views. people and if they feel that local Administration, which is led by ber of Uzbekistan, UzA report- The Uzbek government de- Malaysia meets Group Chairman governmental Commission on Skeptics view the move as work- level politicians are not adhering a minister selected by the Presi- ed. The comprehensive analy- cided to apply for EAEU observ- of Permodalan Nasional Berhad Trade, Economic, Scientific, ing against the spirit of devolution, to expectations and promises, dent. These are just two such ex- sis considered 16 major econom- er status and will submit the re- Human skeleton found in sands Technical and Cultural Coopera- but majority view it as a decision then it hurts the very concept of amples which demonstrate that ic sectors. spective resolution of the Legisla- in Mangistau region Experience of tion in Ulaanbaatar. made in the best interests of the devolved local power. For the government and federal control The government also con- tive Chamber for consideration. Astana Civil Service Hub dis- (BBC) nation. Our capital city, which is government to take control over over a capital will not be unique. sidered findings of the analyti- G20FinanceMinistersurgescooperation Polish deputy FM discusses economic ties in US Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski three-day visit tomitigateriskstoglobaleconomy to the US ended on Friday. The Foreign Ministry said that Pol- RIYADH — G20 Finance Min- ish-US economic ties have been isters and Central Bank Gover- strengthened. The ministry men- nors said that they are “deeply tioned that the visit was also de- saddened by the human tragedy voted to public and cultural di- caused by the spread of COVID- plomacy. In the Polish consulate 19 coronavirus.” “We fully sup- in New York, the deputy minis- port countries’ ongoing measures ter handed the consul general ap- to contain the outbreak, treat those pointment to Adrian Kubicki. affected and prevent further trans- Together with Polish Sejm (low- mission,” G20 Finance Ministers er house) Speaker Elzbieta Witek and Central Bank Governors said and the new consul general, in a statement on Friday. The min- Jablonski laid flowers at New isters pointed out that they are Jersey's Katyn Memorial, which closely monitoring the evolution commemorates the thousands of of COVID-19 including its impact Polish officers killed in 1940 by on markets and economic condi- the Soviet secret police. In Wash- tions, as agreed in the last G20 ington, Mr Jablonski held talks February meeting. “We welcome with representatives from the US the measures and plans put for- administration and international ward by countries to support eco- international community to as- their available instruments to the organisations dealing with eco- nomic activity.” The ministers ex- sist developing countries to cope fullest extent possible, including nomic cooperation. Mr Jablons- visited the United States Agency opment Finance Corporation. Washington, interested in invest- pressed readiness to take further with the impact of the outbreak,” emergency financing, policy advice ki also attended a meeting at the for International Development He also met with US busi- ing in Poland, as well as heads of actions, including fiscal and mon- G20 Finance Ministers added. and technical assistance as part of National Security Council and and the U.S. International Devel- nessmen, in New York and the foreign offices. etary measures, as appropriate, “We welcome the steps tak- a coordinated global response.” to aid in the response to the vi- en by the International Mone- The ministers highlighted the rus, support the economy during tary Fund (IMF), the World need for cooperation to mitigate this phase and maintain the resil- Bank Group (WBG) and other risks to the global economy from ience of the financial system. international organizations to unexpected shocks. “To this end, Iran oil minister expects“very difficult” “We will be working with the help member countries by using we are working closely.” OPEC, non-OPECmeeting: Iranian media Iran’s oil minister expects a “very difficult” meeting in Vienna on Nigeria’s total trade increases 14pc in 2019: NBS Friday between OPEC and oil exporting countries that are not part of the group, including Russia, the Iranian energy news service Shana The National Bureau of Statistics on Friday in Abuja. However, rose by 28.8 per cent in 2019 over (NBS) says Nigeria recorded this was lower than 36.86 per 2018, exports rose by only 3.6 per cited him as saying. OPEC on Thursday told Russia and others oil N36.152 trillion as value of total cent recorded in 2018 over 2017. cent and the trade balance was 58.4 exporters it wanted an additional 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of trade in 2019, representing a “The level of imports stood at per cent less than in 2018.” It said oil cuts until the end of 2020, saying a big move was needed to deal 14.05 per cent increase over 2018. N16.959 trillion while exports that in the fourth quarter of 2019, with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. “We are making efforts The bureau said this in its were valued at N19.192 trillion, the value of total trade was N10.1 to reach an agreement with non-OPEC member countries,” minister “Foreign Trade in Goods Statis- resulting in a trade balance of trillion, or 10.2 per cent higher than Bijan Zangeneh said ahead of the meeting, according to the energy tics, Quarter Four, 2019”, released N2.232 trillion. “While imports the value recorded in quarter three. news service of Iran, Shana. SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES Beauty and the Beast prequel series in works at Disney Plus eauty and the Beast prequel series will see Luke Evans and Josh Gad reprising their roles from the 2017 film.

Disney has started working on a limited series will consist of six cally transformed into a monster prequel series to its 2017 hit Beau- episodes. Composer Alan Men- and his servants into household ty and the Beast for the compa- ken is also in talks to return as objects as punishment for his ar- ny’s streaming service Disney well. Evans, Gad, Kitsis and rogance, and Belle (Watson), a Plus. According to The Holly- Horowitz are also going to serve young woman whom he impris- wood Reporter, actors Luke as executive producers. ons in his castle to become a Evans and Josh Gad are set to Beauty and the Beast, a live- prince again. reprise their roles from the film. action remake of 1991 animated Evans had portrayed Gas- The prequel series is being classic of the same name, featured ton, a narcissistic and arrogant The tone and feel of Penny Dreadful: City of Angels appears to be wildly different from its predecessor. So much so that it created by Eddy Kitsis and Adam actors Emma Watson and Dan hunter and veteran of the French might as well be a wholly different show, without Penny Dreadful in its title, and it wouldn't make a difference. Horowitz, the producers of Stevens as the two leads. Royal Army who wants Belle as ABC’s fairy-tale drama Once The movie focused on the re- his wife. Gad had played the role The first trailer for Penny Dread- Angels appears to be wildly dif- ters from the literature of the era there is a supernatural element, Upon a Time and Apple TV Plus’ lationship between the Beast of Gaston’s sidekick LeFou. ful: City of Angels, the spinoff to ferent from its predecessor. So — Dorian Gray, Count Dracula, chiefly in the form of Natalie Amazing Stories. The untitled (Stevens), a prince who is magi- (BBC) Showtime’s horror drama Penny much so that it might as well be Victor Frankenstein and his mon- Dormer’s character, which is a Dreadful, is out. John Logan is a wholly different show, with- sters and so on. City of Angels is Devil-like character. The show back as the creator of the show. out Penny Dreadful in its title, nothing like that, though this is also touches upon the impending The Secret The action shifts from Victo- and it wouldn’t make a differ- not necessarily a bad thing. It Nazi threat. The trailer is overall rian London to Los Angeles dur- ence. The original series, starring explores racial tensions between just fine. It is missing the wow Garden trailer: ing the so-called Golden Age of Eva Green in the lead, was a the white and Mexican-Ameri- factor that the original brought to Hollywood in the 1930s. First beautifully shot and well-writ- can community. Of course, be- the table with its dazzling, dis- Colin Firth off, the tone and feel of City of ten horror fare that used charac- ing a Penny Dreadful spinoff, tinctive visuals. starrer retains the source Baaghi 3 box office collection Day 1: material’s charm Tiger Shroff starrer earns Rs 17.50 crore aaghi 3 box office collection Day 1: This Tiger Shroff, Riteish Deshmukh and Shraddha Kapoor starrer earned Rs 17.50 crore on its opening day. Christian Bale to play villain in Thor Love A trailer for the upcoming film adaptation of The Secret Garden and Thunder, is out. The Secret Garden, a clas- sic children’s book authored by Tessa Frances Hodgson Burnett, tells the story of a young British girl Thompson Mary, who comes to England from India to live at an isolated confirms house owned by a grumpy uncle she has never met. There, she dis- hor Love and Thunder covers a magical garden. is scheduled to hit the The film takes certain liber- aters on November 5, ties and is not a particularly faith- 2021. The film will ames Wan, best known for films such as Insidious and ful adaptation of the novel. For see Chris Hemsworth repris- Conjuring series, will be taking forward Universal's one, the original story takes place Tiger Shroff’s action thriller Baaghi action hero everyone is looking On whether the coronavirus scare ing the role of Thor while Na- Jmonster-movie legacy with the project. in early 1900s, while the film is 3 earned Rs 17.50 crore on its out for. Ajay Devgn is also there, would affect the film’s box of- talie Portman's Jane Foster set in 1947. The story it seems opening day at the box office. The but he is all intense while Shroff fice performance, Johar said, will return as female Thor. The Filmmaker James Wan is teaming also includes characters titles such has been made suitable for mod- Ahmed Khan directorial is the is a pure action hero. Every out- “Until now, it is getting con- film is being directed. up with Universal for a new mon- as Dracula, Frankenstein, The ern audiences. The source mate- third installment of the Baaghi fran- ing of his is eagerly awaited by tained, and there’s no need to ster movie. According to Variety, Mummy, The Wolf Man and Crea- rial has been noted for its inher- chise. Riteish Deshmukh and fans. His last film War did ex- panic. Precautions are definitely Thor Love and Thunder has got the director-producer, who is ture from the Black Lagoon. ent racism, something we can Shraddha Kapoor also star in tremely well at the ticket necessary. Also, it depends on its villain in Christian Bale. Actor best known for films such as In- Wan and his Atomic Monster safely assume the film will side- Baaghi 3. Trade analyst Girish Jo- counters.” Johar pegged the how the government is tackling Tessa Thompson, who will re- sidious and Conjuring series, will banner is currently working on step. The dreamy feeling and the har had earlier told film’s collection at Rs 20. He it. But, as of now, it should not prise her role as Valkyrie, broke be taking forward the studio’s Malignant, The Conjuring: The charm of the English countryside Indianexpress.com, “Shroff has added, “Baaghi 3 is a wide com- affect the footfall in theaters.” the news at the season 3 premiere monster-movie legacy with the Devil Made Me Do It and Mortal depicted in the novel is retained taken over the action genre in In- mercial release and is expected The Indian Express film critic of Westworld. “Christian Bale is project. He will produce the film Kombat. Universal had earlier here, and that is great. dia. After Sunny Deol, he is the to open in over 3000 screens.” Shubhra Gupta gave the film 2. going to play our villain, which is via his banner Atomic Monster, planned a shared universe based going to be fantastic,” she told ET. while Robbie Thompson is aboard around its monster characters and “I’ve read the script. I can’t the project as a writer. Universal had roped in stars like Johnny Nishabdham trailer: Anushka Shetty-Madhavan film is not a ghost story? tell you much. Lots of exciting recently released The Invisible Depp, Tom Cruise, Russell text messages exchanged between Man from monster universe that Crowe, Javier Bardem. killings. But, it may be a ruse. Natalie and I. We’re going to have There is an unhappy young girl, fun. Taika is writing (and) direct- Nishabdham trailer: a female protagonist with speech Starring Anushka Shetty ing. Some familiar faces. Some new impairment, a sad-looking musi- people coming into the mix,” she Iran: Golden Bear winner and Madhavan in the lead cian and a vacation home with continued. While the news has got roles, the thriller will hit some serious power fluxation the fans excited, there is no clari- screens on April 2. problem. It feels like a revenge ty on Bale’s role in the film. The Mohammad Rasoulof drama of a violinist against those film will see Taika Waititi return who have wronged him. And as the direct while Chris Hem- sentenced to jail in Iran Michael Madsen’s blink-and- sworth will reprise the role of miss appearance in the trailer rais- Thor. The film will revive Natalie es some questions. It is worth Portman not only as Jane Foster noting that the makers had but also a female Thor. As per the played up Madsen’s role in the reports, the film will also explore teaser that was released earlier. Foster’s breast cancer storyline, He was seen in almost every oth- which was explored by comic er scene. But, the Hollywood book writer Jason Aaron in 2015. actor’s near absence in the trailer “It’s just very rare that these is puzzling. Will we also get very kind of big entertainment films Actor Nani on Friday released the earlier we were made to believe visual evidence to suggest that little of Madsen in the movie? look at more serious, real-life is- trailer of Nishabdham, which that Nishabdham was a true-blue this movie belongs to the horror Written and directed by Hemant sues. I really don’t know anything stars Anushka Shetty and horror movie, the latest trailer tells genre. Of course, the character Madhukar, the film also features about it. I haven’t seen anything, Madhavan in the lead roles. While us otherwise. There is little to no suspects a ghost behind some Anjali, Subbaraju Shalini, Pandey. but I’ve heard the same rumours. Amanullah joins list of iconic Pakistani comedians who have left millions mourning Mohammad Rasoulof, the Irani- shan, Rasoulof received the order an director who won the the top via a text message from the judi- LAHORE: Celebrated Pakistani award at last month’s Berlin film ciary. Rasoulof will not turn him- stage, film and television come- festival, has been ordered to serve self in to authorities and will ap- dian, Amanullah Khan, finally a one-year prison sentence over peal the order, especially given the breathed his last in Lahore Fri- his movies, his lawyer has said. ongoing coronavirus outbreak in day after protracted illness, but Rasoulof’s sentence arose Iran, the lawyer said. Authorities not before the legend had dis- from three films that Iran’s au- have already sent 54,000 prison- played for decades how a blend thorities found to be “propagan- ers home from jail temporarily in Philip Roth’s 2004 novel The Plot Against America imagines a coun- of extempore verbal content, act- da against the system”, his law- a bid to prevent the virus spread- terfactual history in which Charles Lindbergh, campaigning on a prom- ing, body language and persona yer Nasser Zarafshan told the ing through the country’s penal ise of America First, defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 pres- could make the viewers and au- Associated Press. The sentence system. There was no immediate idential election and, colluding with Hitler, embarks on a program of dience burst into an instant laugh- also included an order than he stop state media report about Rasou- government-sponsored anti-Semitism and Jewish resettlement. A few ter. Known for his punch lines, the life-line of Pakistani stage vision Network” shows that dur- film-making for two years, the lof’s summons, nor any comment months before he died, in 2018, Roth told me in an interview that he spontaneity and timing of his dramas. Research conducted by ing these last 60 years or so, Pa- lawyer said. According to Zaraf- from judiciary officials. never intended his book as a political allegory. dialogues, Amanullah was once the “Jang Group and Geo Tele- kistan has lost numerous. SUNDAY . MARCH 08, 2020 AFGHANISTANTIMES EricDier:TottenhambossJose Johanna Mourinhonot expectingclubto Konta disciplineplayer for fanaltercation through Mourinho insist Dier is in the right frame of mind to play tosemi at Burnley on Saturday Night Football, live on Sky Sports finalsof the Monterrey Open British No 1 will face Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova for a place in the final

Johanna Konta made it through her in the world rankings. Kon- level, we played a very exciting to the semi-finals of the Monter- ta, who missed the last few match for everybody who was rey Open after battling back from months of 2019 due to a knee there watching. Personally I’m a set down and saving two match injury, will now face the Czech really pleased I’ve been able to points to beat Russian teenager Republic's Marie Bouzkova, come through such a tough match. Anastasia Potapova. The British who won 6-2 7-5 against Yafan Especially, it was the first of its No 1 defeated 18-year-old Po- Wang of China. kind for me this season, and to be tapova 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 7-6 (9-7) in I think the scoreline is quite able to come through it, I’m really a contest lasting two hours and obvious, it was an incredibly pleased with it. 40 minutes. Konta faced match tough match. Very tough condi- Johanna Konta on her win point at 5-3 down in the third tions out there, it was very Top seed Elina Svitolina is also and then survived another in the windy, very blustery, so it made through to the last four, having subsequent tie-break before it extra difficult for both of us seen off Leylah Annie Fernandez clinching victory against an op- to play, really. But I think over- 6-4 7-5, and will face Arantxa Rus ponent who is 73 places below all, both of us played at a great who swept past sixth. Trainer BuddyMcGirt would be

Jose Mourinho does not expect On Wednesday, the Spurs whether he will be disciplined)," direction, which I don't think we willingtohelpDeontayWilder Tottenham to discipline Eric Dier head coach said he would not sup- he said. "The only thing I can say as a club want to go." Dier was for his confrontation with sup- port club discipline against Dier is that, if the club does, it's not one of the first names on Mour- porters in the stands. Dier could after defending his actions, al- because I want it. "I am with the inho's team-sheets when he suc- preparefor third Tyson Furyfight face FA action after attempting to though branding them unprofes- player. I believe that the club is ceeded Mauricio Pochettino ear- get to one fan, in particular, said sional, and suggested the club also with the player. So I believe lier this season, playing him in to have been involved in a spat would not be doing so ahead of there is no action from us. One the midfield position where he with his brother, after the mid- Saturday's trip to Burnley. "I thing is conversations, sharing planned to deploy him had he suc- week FA Cup defeat to Norwich. don't know the answer (as to ideas, another thing is going in that cessfully signed. Coronavirus:Milan-SanRemo, Tirreno-Adriaticopostponed Organisers say they want to reschedule the races rather than cancel them completely Leah McCourt Deontay Wilder only needs to vated a clause for a third fight, would consider offering his exper- make 'minor adjustments' to de- which is expected to be staged tise. "Of course. He just needs to continue feat Tyson Fury, says trainer in Las Vegas in the summer. minor adjustments, nothing ma- her MMA rise Buddy McGirt who would be Wilder has retained the services jor," McGirt told Sky Sports. "Ev- willing to help the former world of Mark Breland, despite ex- erybody is making a big thing, like as she joins champion. The American's reign pressing anger at the corner he has to make these big, major as the WBC heavyweight title man's decision to throw in the changes. No, just little minor main card holder was ended by a stunning towel, while Jay Deas is a long- things. What he has been doing has of Bellator stoppage loss to Fury last time trainer for the Alabama been working for him so far. I think London month, but Wilder has since acti- man, but the respected McGirt he got away from a lot. Leah McCourt will continue her rise in the world of MMA as she joins a bumper main card of Bel- UK Open: Michael lator London at the SSE Arena, Wembley. 'The Curse' McCourt van Gerwen knocks out (4-1) will take on New Zealand- born Janay 'Hollowpoint' Hard- defending champion ing (5-4) in a featherweight bout The Milan-San Remo one-day priate authorisations, RCS Sport and Il Giro di Sicilia, scheduled on the main card on Saturday, race has been cancelled as well as announces that the cycling race for 1-4 April." Milan-San Remo May 16. McCourt heads to Lon- two other cycling events in Ita- Tirreno-Adriatico, scheduled for is one of cycling's five 'Monu- Nathan Aspinall don off the back of her historic ly, organisers said on Friday. The 11-17 March, is cancelled from its ment' classics, along with Paris- main event victory over Germa- spread of coronavirus in the original dates," RCS said in a state- Roubaix, the Tour of Flanders, the ny's Judith Ruis at Bellator Dub- country has also led to the Tir- ment. "Furthermore... to guaran- Tour of Lombardy and Liege- lin. Training at SBG Charlestown reno-Adriatico and Il Giro di Si- tee the safeguarding of public Bastogne-Liege. Following the under the guidance of her coach cilia stage races to be postponed. health and the safety of all the peo- confirmation by the relevant au- Women's T20 Owen Roddy, McCourt has made "Following the confirmation ple involved, RCS Sport has made thorities that they are unable to a rapid rise towards the top of by the relevant authorities that the decision to cancel Milan-San grant appropriate authorisations, final: Umpire Bellator and she will aim. they are unable to grant appro- Remo, scheduled for 21 March, the #MilanoSanremo (21 March). Kim Cott LeBron James bests Giannis Antetokounmpoin MVP on to make duel at Staples Center,passes 34,000 career points history in LeBron James has repeatedly in- and Bucks legend Kareem Ab- Melbourne sisted he does not care about win- dul-Jabbar and Karl Malone - the New Zealand’s Kim Cotton will ning another MVP award. He man he's looking to emulate by become first woman to umpire knows almost nobody outside the winning MVP at 35 years old - the final of a major global cricket Los Angeles Lakers' locker room as the only players to hit the tournament when she officiates thinks he'll beat Giannis Antetok- mark. Los Angeles was carried in the ICC Women's World T20 Michael van Gerwen ended wasn't to be for the Stockport ounmpo for the honour. When the to its 10th win in 11 games over- final on Sunday. Cotton, a law- Nathan Aspinall's defence of his thrower as Van Gerwen chalked reigning MVP brought his Mil- all by James, who scored 14 yer by profession, will take UK Open title on a blockbuster up a 105 average on his way to a waukee Bucks to Staples Center points in the third quarter and charge in the middle alongside opening day of darts at Butlins 10-8 victory and a meeting with on Friday night, James' brilliant then kept LA ahead down the Pakistan's Ahsan Raza for the in Minehead. The world No 1, a Jason Lowe in the last 32. Lowe, performance still demonstrated stretch as the Lakers (48-13) game between India and Austra- two-time champion of the 'FA who won his Tour card in January the debate shouldn't be over just split their season series with the lia at the MCG. Cotton also um- Cup of Darts', is without a title at Q-School, chalked up three yet. James had 37 points, eight league-leading Bucks (53-10). pired Australia's weather-hit so far in 2020, and in the open wins to MVG's one, beating Cody rebounds and seven assists to win Antetokounmpo had 32 points semi-final victory against South draw format was handed a block- Harris and Jonathan Worsley be- his showdown with his fellow All- and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, Africa. Chris Broad will be the buster fourth round tie against fore a sensational burst accounted Star Game captain, and the Lak- while James' partner-in-crime match referee in Melbourne. In- The Asp, the defending cham- for former UK Open champion ers beat Milwaukee 113-103 in a Anthony Davis scored 14 of his dia won their group game with pion who triumphed on the Adrian Lewis in Friday night's clash of the NBA's conference 30 points in the fourth quarter the hosts on February 21 - the Main Stage 12 months ago. As- fourth round. World champion and leaders. The 35-year-old also as the three best players on the opening match of the tournament pinall had also claimed the MVG 2017 winner Peter Wright was also scored his 34,000th career point floor all produced good perfor- at the Showground in Sydney - scalp in the Premier League a victorious on the opening night of during the game, joining Lakers mances on the night. by 17 runs. couple of weeks ago, but it action, Snakebite edging. Tyrrell Hatton claims share of Defoe in good form for Meydan feature Defoe is reported to be in excel- down the field on his final start Arnold Palmer Invitational lead lent shape ahead of his long- of the season in the King George awaited return in the Dubai City VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes Tyrrell Hatton fired a three-un- (68). The pair are one clear of of Gold at Meydan on Saturday. at Ascot, trainer Roger Varian der 69 to take a share of the lead Danny Lee of New Zealand (67), The six-year-old son of Dala- believes he will take plenty of at the halfway stage of the Ar- with McIlroy (73), American Har- khani took his form to new beating in the Group Two prize, nold Palmer Invitational. The 28- ris English (70) and last week's heights last season, recording the on his first start in seven months. year-old Englishman upstaged Honda Classic winner, Sungjae Im first Group One victory of his Varian said: "Defoe has been in Rory McIlroy at Bay Hill as he of South Korea (69), one further career in the Coronation Cup at great order since he got here. He moved to seven-under 137 after back in joint-fourth. Hatton, who Epsom before going on to glory did most of his work at home. 36 holes, ending the day along- has four European Tour wins to at Royal Ascot in the Hardwicke Andrea (Atzeni) sat on him on side South Korea's Sung Kang his name but is chasing. Stakes. Although Defoe finished Wednesday morning. SUNDAY. MARCH 08. 2020 -Hoot 18, 1398 H.S Vol:XIV Issue No:221 Price: Afs.20

Kabul victims India: Chidambaram Erdogan orders US-Taliban Govt dealing Penny Eric Dier: Tottenham describe scenes strikes at BJP over Yes coast guard to stop pact: Peace strictly with Dreadful City boss Jose Mourinho Bank crisis, accuses migrants and corrupt ion, of Angels not expecting club to of carnage trailer: This govt of financial refugees crossing deal or cut cronyism: discipline player for after attack mismanagement spinoff looks fan altercat ion Aegean and run? PM Modi routine

By Farhad Naibkhail cians, including Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, where KABUL: Afghan leaders, Mo- deadly gunfire erupted in the hammad Karim Khalili and Mo- middle of the ceremony that hammad Mohaqiq have asked for many innocent lives were lost. a serous investigation over Fri- Deputy of Chief Executive day’s attack on a gathering com- Office, Mohammad Mohaqiq memorating Abdul Ali Mazari’s held a joint press conference with death anniversary, in which 32 Head of High Peace Council, Mo- people were killed and 58 others hammad Karim Khalili, and had received injuries. The dead anni- asked for serious investigation on versary of deceased leader of Wah- the incident. Terming it as a dead- date Islamic Party, Abdul Ali ly tragedy, Mr. Mohaqiq said the Mazari was attended by differ- dimension of the incident would ent Wadat party leaders, politi- have roots... so long." The US-Taliban deal signed in Qatar's capital last AT Monitoring Desk week would see US and NATO forces completely withdraw he U.S. counterinsurgen over a 14-month timeline to end cy campaign against the the 18-year-long Afghanistan Taliban militant group in war. Asked if the Taliban could Afghanistan is at its end, AT News have not suffered any casualties. eventually seize power from the with the U.S. military’s plans to- The Taliban had earlier ab- current US-backed government, ward a total withdrawal as Rus- KABUL: Afghan special forces ducted around 55 civilians from Trump said it is "not supposed sia has called on Kabul to help fill have freed 92 people imprisoned Chak district of central Wardak to happen that way but it pos- the gap. Russia’s special envoy by Taliban insurgents in the south- province. There is no clue about sibly will". "We can't be there to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, ern province of Uruzgan, the in- the abducted people so far, ac- for the next 20 years. We've been in an interview with a Federal terior ministry said on Saturday. cording to reports. there for 20 years and we've News Agency said that Russia Helmand is majorly controlled To sign a peace deal, the Tal- been protecting the country but could send troops to Afghanistan by Taliban fighting against Afghan iban and the U.S. had agreed on a we can't be there for the next - to fight terrorism if the country’s armed forces. Kidnappings are prisoner exchange by the Afghan Asked if the Taliban could eventually seize power, Trump said it is 'not supposed to happen that eventually, they're going to have authorities ask for it. But for this, commonplace. These 92 people government and Taliban, in which way but it possibly will' [Alex Brandon/ AP] to protect themselves," he said. Kabulov noted, first of all, it is were kidnapped on Friday from a the militants would release 1,000 Trump, who on Tuesday necessary to wait for the results park in the capital city, Trinkot, prisoners in return for their S President Donald States-backed Afghan govern- tries have to take care of them- had a "good talk" during a phone of the inter-Afghan dialogue and and freed after security forced 5,000 thousands fighter, held Trump has said the Tal ment after foreign troops with- selves," Trump told reporters at call with a senior Taliban leader, the formation of a coalition gov- raided the Taliban prison. custody in Afghan government’s iban could "possibly" draw from the country as part of the White House on Friday. "You added he did not know if the ernment that will represent the prisons. overrun the United a deal signed last week. "Coun- can only hold someone's hand for Afghan... interests of all Afghans. “As re- Civilians and security forces gards the fight against terrorism and military assistance to Af- ghanistan in this matter, let’s wait until there is a normal government in Kabul and we will discuss mil- itary assistance with it,” said the presidential envoy. AT News He also noted that Russia had tial Palace has said that the Tali- changed and now the Taliban re- for the next 20 years. “Countries already come up with a similar ban’s comeback to seize the pow- gime is not acceptable for the peo- have to take care of themselves,” KABUL: Following the US Pres- AT News initiative, but it was not proper- er is an “impossible hypothesis.” ple. We understand the threats Trump told reporters and added, ly evaluated. “We at one time of- ident Donald Trump’s remarks President Ashraf Ghani’s posed by the Taliban because “you can only hold someone’s that the Taliban could possibly KABUL: Local officials in west- fered help that either the Ameri- Spokesman, Sediq Sediqqi said the they still attack on our people, hand for so long.” BCC has quot- cans or the Afghans provided with overrun the US backed govern- current governmental system is facilities and cities,” Seddiqi add- ed about three of American au- ern Herat province said Satur- KABUL: Some female journalist ment in Afghanistan after foreign day that Taliban rebels have various conditions. We do not well-strong to fight the Taliban ed. Trump on Friday said the thorities, who wished to go un- impose our good offices, but when on Saturday demanded their rep- troops withdraw – the Presiden- fighters. “This country has been US cannot remain in Afghanistan named, as ... killed at least seven civilians and resentation in peace talks with the wounded 17 others. Provincial we are politely asked, we are Taliban. Wahida Faizi, Gender Di- Governor’s Spokesman Jilani ready to do so. The terms of as- rector of the Afghan Journalists Farhad said the militants staged sistance will be determined by the Safety Committee (AJSC), while the attack on late Friday in Kh- Russian leadership,” Kabulov addressing a gathering here said: waja Noor village of Kashk-e- said. He also assessed the cessa- “Women journalists should get Robat districts of the province. tion by the Taliban (banned in together in order to have a repre- He said that women and chil- Russia) of the previously declared sentative in the delegation for dren were among the casualties, truce with government forces and talks with the Taliban.” adding the wounded had shifted the resumption of hostilities She said that Afghan women to the nearby clinic. Investiga- against official Kabul. “The Tali- journalists would introduce their tion has been launched in the ban movement did not take any representative for upcoming attack. Meanwhile, some local obligations to end the war with peace talks. (Pajhwok) residents said that the attack government forces. The Taliban was conducted by the Taliban took a week of respite at the in- fighters, in which a number of sistence of the Americans, and this governmental employees, in- truce was respected. There are no rus outbreak in the country. Pub- cluding a teacher had died. The violations of the Doha agreement,” lic Health Minister, Ferozudin Taliban group... the diplomat... Feroz in a press conference said the samples of three suspect coronavirus cases from Herat were tested in central laborato- ries that unfortunately were pos- PUL-I-KHUMRI: Hundreds of itive. “The total numbers of the AT News women and civil society activists infected coronavirus cases have at a gathering in northern Baghlan reached to four.” These four pa- he Taliban leaders are province demanded protection of tients are from Herat province and having a serious dis women rights during the peace currently under treatment in an agreement regarding con talks. Addressing the gathering, Isolation Ward in the province. tinuation of hostilities gender affairs in charge at the Gov- The infected people are all re- and attacks against Afghan armed ernor House said that they fully turned from Iran, so far there is forces amid a resumption of vio- supported all steps towards no risk of Covid-19 spread in the lence after the U.S. hammered out peace in the country. She, how- country, he added. “Infected per- a peace agreement with the rebel The ICC appeals chamber’s decision to move ahead on an ever, said: “Every decision dur- sons are under care in a well- group last week. In Baghlan prov- investigation of grave abuses by combatants in Afghanistan, ing peace talks should ensure pro- By Farhad Naibkhail coronaviurs, also known as Cov- equipped health center, which ince, a number of tribal elders and including U.S. forces, marks an unprecedented move that is likely tection of women rights.” She id-19 in western Herat province, kept away from society.” Accord- sources said a disagreement has to arouse intensive pushback from Washington. warned any agreement that harms KABUL: The Ministry of Pub- putting the totally number to four. ing to MoPH statement, 36 sus- arisen among the Taliban’s lead- women rights was not acceptable lic Health (MoPH) on Saturday These individuals had recently re- pected cases samples of coro- ership and commanders over to them. (Pajhwok) has reported three more cases of turned from Iran—a source of vi- navirus from... fighting against the Afghan secu- rity forces. U.S. and Taliban has reached a peace deal which paves the foreign troops pull out from Afghanistan and direct talks among Afghans. But the militants has been still emphasizing on continuation of their fight against the Afghan security forces, say- ing that they will not fight the foreign troops to observe part of the peace deal. Such stand by the militant group has brought seri- ous criticism on the ground. Cit- The Appeals Chamber of the arch 8 is International Women’s Day, observed ing the disagreement, some sourc- call a “renegade” court. The unan- es, who wished to be unnamed, International Criminal Court around the world annually to promote gender (ICC) in The Hague has ruled imous judgment reversed an earli- equality. In Afghanistan, March 8 is a special said the Taliban leadership had er decision by the Pretrial Cham- fired a number of its local com- that the court’s prosecutor, Fa- day, because it is an opportunity to celebrate tou Bensouda, can finally pro- ber to dismiss the prosecutor’s the impressive progress achieved by Afghan women dur- manders. To organize attacks motion to launch an investigation against the Afghan security forc- ceed—following a preliminary ing the last two decades, and to re-energize our collective examination of more than a de- into the Afghanistan situation. It efforts to tackle persistent challenges on the road to gen- es, sources said the Taliban have was the first time the Appeals reshuffled their commanders. cade—with a formal investiga- der equality. Over the past two decades, with the support tion into atrocities allegedly Chamber had been seized with re- of the international community, Afghan women have fought Before the US-Taliban peace viewing a Pretrial Chamber deci- deal, which was signed in Qatar, committed during the armed for their rights and freedoms, raised their voices against conflict in Afghanistan. Bensou- sion [PDF] of this nature. The five injustice, participated in democratic and social processes the Afghan, US forces and Tali- appeals judges—from Canada, ban had agreed on a weeklong re- da contends that some of those and contributed to the defence of their nation. Today, Af- crimes were committed by U.S. Peru, Poland, Uganda, and the ghan women are key contributors to society and have gained duction in violence. But the group United Kingdom—rejected the had stated earlier that they would armed forces and CIA person- increased visibility and respect among Afghan men. This nel. The decision has sparked a lower chamber’s view that an in- year, International Women’s Day carries deeper resonance, continue fighting the Afghan se- vestigation of the Afghanistan sit- curity forces. strong rebuke from U.S. offi- as a rare yet genuine opportunity... cials, who denounce what they uation would not...