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TUESDAY . MAY 19 . 2015 -Sawr 29, 1394 HS www.afghanistantimes.af www.facebook.com/ afghanistantimeswww.twitter.com/ afghanistantimes

Kabul, Tehran Sherpao urges smooth ink MoU on AFPAK TRADE TIES STRATEGIC ment of Pakistan to promote bi- lateral trade ties further with Af- STUDIES ghanistan. At a party meeting in Char- AT Monitoring Desk sadda district of KP, Aftab Ah- mad Khan Sherpao said the oth- KABUL: In a bid to enhance bi- rorism and other common threats. er day that the Nawaz-led gov- lateral ties further in the sphere of He said that such MoUs were ernment should take additional security and policy-making, Af- signed between the two neighbor- steps to mobilize bilateral trade ghan and Iranian officials inked a ing countries from 2006 to 2009, between the two neighboring memorandum of understanding but were not helpful due to limi- countries. (MoU) on strategic studies. tation of cooperation. The new Express Tribune quoted The MoU was signed at a memorandum identifies common Sherpao as saying, The issue joint seminar in Tehran by the threats, and scope of cooperation of tariff, existence of illegal trade chief of Afghan Ministry of For- on joint counter-terrorism efforts gateways and ban of access to eign Affairs strategic studies cen- is clear. All terror groups includ- duty-free markets are a few ob- ter, Faramarz Tamanna, and the ing Daesh and the Taliban will be stacles impeding the smooth general director of Political and treated as common enemies, the flow of trade between the two International Studies Office at the spokesman said. The two spy countries. Iranian Foreign Ministry, Mostafa agencies would establish special He said that traders of the Zahrani. According to a news sto- task groups for coordination. two countries are facing prob- They would share information on ry published on Monday by Tas- Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi lems at registration points. Kab- nim, an Iranian news agency, the to train and equip the NDS agents, cent trip of Pakistan s Prime Min- immediate basis if need urged, Sid- ul and Islamabad should pro- spokesman to Afghan spy agen- ister to Kabul. Leading a high-lev- diqi said. He hoped that Islama- two sides stressed on boosting KABUL: The National Director- mote the trade through the trans- mutual cooperation in different cy, Haseeb Siddiqi, said that noth- el delegation, Nawaz Sharif ar- bad would sincerely cooperate port corridor, and unnecessary ate of Security (NDS), the pre- ing of this sort has been said in rived on May 12, and discussed with Kabul in the war against ter- sectors. At the seminar, pointing mier national spy agency, on security check-posts should be to the religious and cultural com- the memorandum of understand- nature and scope of intelligence ror. He said the NDS is ready to Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao removed, Sherpao suggested. Monday denied training of its ing (MoU) signed between Kabul sharing and coordinated opera- defend the country and stand monalities of the two countries, agents by the Inter-Services In- Afghanistan and Pakistan Zahrani said that Iran is keen to and Islamabad regarding intelli- tions against insurgents. Sidiqqi against any threat. The spokes- AT Monitoring Desk should enhance trade ties, be- telligence (ISI). Reacting to the gence support. It is said that the said the MoU focuses only on man told media that NDS person- enhance cooperation with Afghan- news reports that ISI has offered cause the two countries suffered istan further in different areas. MoU was signed during the re- intelligence sharing to counter ter- nel are well-trained and equipped. KABUL: Chief of the Qaumi a lot from terrorism since 1980s. Tasnim quoted him as saying, Watan Party, a neo-nationalist There is dire need for strength- Iran is ready to share its experi- 3 hostages still held political party in Khyber Pakh- ening economies of the two coun- ences, knowledge and capabilities Half a dozen killed IN PAKTIKA CLASH tunkhwa (KP), urged the govern- tries, he said. with the Afghan brothers and sis- by foreign militants: ters and cooperate with them in SHARANA: Four Afghan Local tants mounted an attack on an evacuated to a nearby hospital. PAKTIA POLICE line with (efforts to) create sta- Police (ALP) personnel were killed ALP post in the Hasti locality, the A resident of the area confirmed Farkhunda IEC lacks budget to bility, provide security and expand and two others wounded during an provincial deputy governor told the clash and said both the sides Paktia provincial police officials hold parliamentary relations in all areas. overnight clash with insurgents in Pajhwok Afghan News. had suffered casualties. have reported that almost all of the case: Trial of 19 President Ashraf Ghani visit- the Janikhel district of southeast- He said two Taliban fighters were A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah 19 bus passengers who were tak- polls: Nuristani ed Tehran on April 19, where he ern Paktika province, an official killed and five were wounded when Mujahid, said eight security offi- en hostage in Zabul and then trans- policemen today met with Iranian President Has- said on Monday. the ALP personnel returned fire. cials and one of their fighters were ferred to Paktia were freed on Sat- Abdul Zuhoor Qayomi san Rouhani, and Supreme Leader The gun-battle erupted when mili- The injured ALP men had been killed during the clash.(Pajhwok) urday. Only three Afghans remain AT Monitoring Desk of that country Ayatollah Seyed with the kidnappers, who are all KABUL: Amidst growing criti- Ali Khamenei. In the two-day of- HERAT said to be foreign militants. KABUL: As concerns loom over cism about delay in the scheduled ficial visit, Ghani discussed dif- Usmani curtails power The Zabul kidnapping inci- delay in trial of 19 policemen al- time of parliamentary elections, ferent issues of mutual interests. SHOPKEEPERS GO dent, which saw 19 travelers along legedly involved in Farkhunda s chairman of the Independent Elec- Iran said that it was ready to help the Kabul-Kandahar highway tar- case, the primary court on Mon- tion Commission (IEC) on Mon- Afghanistan in the fight against of Hajj Ministry high ups ON STRIKE geted, lasted 80 days. The hostag- day announced that would decide day said that parliamentary polls es were released in a prisoner ex- about the policeman today (Tues- will not be held on scheduled time Islamic State (IS). Iran s Presi- KABUL: Some officials of the No. 3561has stripped some sec- HERAT: Hundreds of shopkeep- dent emphasized on intelligence change deal that saw 20 family day). Head of the primary court, due to lack of budget. Ministry of Hajj and Religious retaries and directors of their pow- ers in western Herat province on members of the foreign militants Safiullah Mujaddidi, said the rea- Ahmad Yusuf Nuristani was sharing to deal with the IS threat. Affairs on Monday criticised their ers and sacked others. Monday went on strike, denounc- Rouhani said the two sides responsible for the kidnapping son behind the delay was high summoned in the Wolesi Jirga new minister Faiz Mohammad The letter says orders from ing sharp rise in taxes. freed by Afghan authorities. "From volume of dossiers and paying the Lower House of the parlia- agreed to promote cooperation Usmani for curtailing powers of the ministry should not be dis- Ghafoor, a shopkeeper, said further in the fight against terror- yesterday (Saturday) to now, op- profound attention into the issue. ment, where he faced huge criti- the secretaries, directors and oth- patched to the public and private around 300 shopkeepers had erations have been conducted suc- He added that they would put a cism over delay in parliamentary ism, extremism and violence in the er high-ranking officials at the min- sector institutions without the closed down their shops to pro- region, particularly in bordering cessfully by the ANA and NDS; full stop in the case and will end poll as well as the electoral pan- istry. Abdul Hakim Muneb, a sec- minister s or secretary s signature. test the rise in taxes. He told Pa- most of our countrymen have been people s concerns in this regard. els shortcomings in April 2014 areas. He said that there is need retary at the ministry, said most It said removal, transfer and jhwok Afghan News that taxes on released and I heard that one of the for intelligence sharing, and if nec- We have almost ended our as- presidential and provincial coun- of their powers had been curtailed hiring of employees would be re- each shop in Shahr-e-Naw locali- hostages was released today as sessments on the dossiers and I cils election. essary, cooperation in military after the arrival of the new minis- ferred to the Independent Admin- ty had risen from 250 afs in a year well," Paktia Police Commander operations, because the existing hope that the trial of 19 police Nuristani told lawmakers that ter. He said some officials had been istrative Reform and Civil Servic- to 6,000 afs. The new tax law is Zalmai Oryakhail said on Sunday. will be held on Tuesday, quoted donors have stopped funding the problems are not restricted to a removed from their positions. es Commission (IARCSC) after unfair and we have no means to "With that, we will only have three specific country. by Radio Azadi the primary court electoral bodies therefore the par- The minister through a letter the orders of minister. (Pajhwok) pay increased taxes. (Pajhwok hostages left with the anti-govern- head said. At least 49 people, in- liamentary election will not be held ment armed group." Interior Min- on its scheduled time without ister officials have assured that cluding 19 policemen, were alleg- Operations against MoU BETWEEN NDS they will do everything in their edly involved Farkhunda s kill- their financial support. He said all power to improve security along ing a 27-year-old girl who preparations have been taken but the Kabul-Kandahar highway. "We lynched by an angry mob in Kab- to continue the process and hold insurgents underway in high AND ISI UNDERMINES have started programs to closely ul for allegedly burning copy of the parliamentary polls the IEC monitor the security of the high- the Holy Qur an. The primary needs at least $80 million. It will threat areas: MoD NATIONAL INTERESTS: MPS ways, and our security forces will court, two weeks back, announced take six months to hold the par- do everything to protect our pas- its verdict about 12 people in- liamentary polls if we received the AT News Report trip wanted to break ties between sengers on the highway," MoI volved in the case, which four of required fund, said Nuristani. India and Afghanistan through spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said. them got death sentence. Farkhun- You (the people) should not ex- KABUL: Majority of the Wolesi such intelligence sharing agree- While the release of the hostages da s case sparked anger country- pect a transparent election be- Jirga (WJ) members on Monday ment. Hence, the National Securi- is a welcome development, many wide. The Presidential Palace as- cause we ran short of profession- termed the recently signed mem- ty Adviser must be summoned to independent commentators have signed a fact-finding team to probe al staff due to lack of budget. Lack orandum of understanding (MoU) brief the lawmakers, he said. warned that successful swaps have the incident. of exact voters number is another between the National Directorate Chairing the session, the deputy emboldened militants to increase The team later announced that problem that will impede this pro- of Security (NDS) and Inter-Ser- speaker Zahir Qadir said the MoU their kidnapping activities. Farkhunda was innocent. cess, he added. vices Intelligence (ISI) against na- was against the national interests. tional interests. The MPs vehe- He said the MoU would have no mently opposed the MoU, and legal ground to stand on if the par- By Farhad Naibkhel ferent subversive attacks in vari- said that it would lose legitimacy liament rejected it. The Interna- ous parts of the country. They if the parliament denied approv- tional Relations Committee, De- KABUL: Ministry of Defense wanted to capture areas, but faced ing it. Criticizing the government fense Committee and Internal Se- (MoD) on Monday said that op- strong resistance, he said. Gen. for signing the memorandum, curity Committee of the WJ asked erations against militants are un- Aman said that scores of militants Monawar Shah Bahaduri, an MP the NSC adviser to brief the law- derway in 26 different parts of were killed in the past four months. from Herat, said the agreement is makers on the MoU. the country. These areas are la- However, he did not provide de- against the wishes of Afghans and Spokesman of the NDS in a beled as high threat on the se- tails. Speaking about deteriorat- the Constitution. Singing such press conference on Monday re- curity chart. Operation Chief at ing security situation in the north- agreements mean selling the coun- jected training of the NDS opera- the defense ministry, Gen. Afzal ern provinces, he said that insecu- try to the strangers, he said. Na- tives by the ISI. According to the Aman, said that insurgents had rity was already there in these dir Shah Bahr, an MP from Ghor, recently signed cooperation pact, carried out 1,600 different attacks parts, but increased recently. He said that Afghan security officials Afghanistan and Pakistan will including suicide bombing and assured that the Afghan security always alleged Islamabad of send- share intelligence information and ambushes in the past four months. forces would never let the anti-state ing terrorists to Afghanistan and boost coordination to fight terror- He said the attacks were repelled elements to succeed in their nefar- interference. Ali Akbar Qasemi, a ism jointly. Tolo News reported by army in collaboration with ious designs. Gen. Aman also member of the Defense Commit- that the MoU was signed by the police and the National Director- claimed that security threats were tee (DC) of the WJ, said that train- first deputy of the NDS with Pa- ate of Security. Speaking at a neutralized. He said, The terror- ing of the NDS officers is not help- kistan a few days ago. The mem- press conference here, he said that ists that are fighting in Afghanistan ful for the country. He said the orandum of understanding be- Afghan National Army (ANA) are supported by strangers. For- NDS chief and adviser to the Na- tween Afghanistan and Pakistan troops are well prepared to fight eign militants too have presence in tional Security Council (NSC) is not a new thing. In the past, insurgents and ensure stability. the country. They are also fighting should be summoned to explain both institutions had such agree- The Taliban believed that after security forces. Deputy Spokes- why the MoU was signed. Abdul ments, but now the focus of this completion of the security tran- man to the defense ministry, Daw- Rahman Rahmani, a legislator from agreement is mostly on jointly sition process, Afghan forces will lat Waziri, said the Taliban suf- Balkh, said the agreement would fighting terrorism, Tolo News fail to defend the country. Thus, fered heavy casualties in the past put the national interests in jeop- quoted Ajmal Abedi, President ROHINGYA MIGRANT WOMEN CRY AS THEY SIT ON A BOAT DRIFTING they planned and conducted dif- two months. ardy. Nawaz Sharif in his recent Ashraf Ghani s spokesman. IN THE SEA OFF THE COAST OF THAILAND THE OTHER DAY. (PHOTO: AFP)

60.97 59.57 68.52 67.12 This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES ACB, Alokozay Group ink Work on 2nd Wave of Do men drive better lane of terrorist than women? 10-year sponsorship agreement Torkham attacks AT News Report Jalalabad Road rattles Kabul KABUL: Alokozay Group of Surprise, surprise! Companies (AGC) on Monday resumed A recent spate of terrorist attacks signed a sponsorship agreement ...P12 Organization (FWO), Maj. in Kabul have left in their wake a with Afghanistan Cricket Board General Muhammad Afzal, as- mounting number of victims as (ACB) that will financially sup- sured that all possible efforts well as criticisms of Afghan author- port the board for upcoming 10 would be made to complete the ities, which many in Parliament and years. Chief Executive of ACB, road well in time according to in- in the public have accused of neg- Shafiqullah Stanikzai, head of ternational standard which would ligence and incompetence in the Alokozai Group marketing Mir- cost almost Rs. 7 billion. face of security threats. wais Siyal, deputy executive chief Welcoming the Ambassador Over the past week, scores of of the ACB Dost Mohammad and Director General, FWO, the Afghan civilians have been killed Nazari, the ACB members and Acting governor of Nangarhar ex- and wounded in terrorist attacks journalists attended the ceremo- pressed optimism that the con- on a hotel, crowded streets and ny of signing the sponsorship ment will be renewed every three the ACB officials, the logo of struction of the road would bring even inside the Kabul University pact. The ACB chief executive, years after its assessment by the Alokzay Groups and Companies the two brotherly countries fur- campus. Shafiqullah Stanikzai, told news- two parties. Stanikzai said the will be used on cricket players ther closer. A suicide attack on Hawashe- men that they need support for amount will be spent on promo- uniform. Besides that, the local T- He lauded the contribution nasi road Sunday left three dead every department of the cricket tion of cricket, development of the 20 tournament will be named af- made by Pakistan for the devel- and 20 wounded. Two young sis- board. The ACB has been with- national team and their interna- ter the group. Analysts believe opment of infrastructure, educa- ters were among those killed. Rel- out financial supporter for past tional tours. Appreciating the that such supports and agree- tion and health sectors. atives of the two girls, who were 18 months. Finding a financial ACB achievements, Mirwais Siy- ments paves the ground for better He said that the people of on their way to school when the Sayed Khodaberdi Sadat, first woman taxi driver of support was one of our main al, said they have always strug- improvement of sports in the attack took place, spoke out on Afghanistan: (Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) Afghanistan were grateful to Pa- goals, he said. As per the agree- gled to support the young genera- country. They suggest that such kistan which fulfilled their long Monday about their plight, plead- ment, the ACB will receive $1.3 tion to improve their education, initiatives should be taken in oth- standing demand by recommenc- ing for financial assistance in order Sara Bahai works for the women along a specially designed route. million on annual basis. The agree- training and sports. According to er sports as well. ing work on the road. to pay for a proper funeral for their who aren t allowed to use taxi And 200 more were watched murdered loved ones. The sisters without their first degree men rel- anonymously at Hyde Park were named Nargis and Yasemin, atives, in Balkh, Afghanistan on Corner. All the drivers were as- and both were attending primary 23 August, 2014. Sara Bahai sessed on 14 different aspects of Veteran Pakistnai author Rashid speaks out . . . school in Kabul. Neighbors and works with her personal car in driving, including speed, obser- relatives of the two victims have order to not to take attention. vational skill, response to other ...P12 earlier between Afghanistan "We see with Isis in Syria and Iraq many people in Afghanistan," he one round of these talks by Pug- said that the girls' father has a veg- It appears that only one thing road users and traffic light obedi- and Pakistan armies and together when they are under pressure in said adding that this was also de- wash a few weeks ago. I hope the etable cart in the Kabul vegetable has prevented women being de- ence. They were then given they had taken a decision espe- one place they go and attack in moralizing to Afghanistan's neigh- Taliban and Afghan governments market, but that their family is clared better drivers than men - marks out of 30. It was seen that cially while the American forces another. This is what we have seen bors and to the international com- will let a 3rd neutral player help impoverished. Although the sis- their modesty, according on the whole, the women scored were still in Afghanistan then "we in Afghanistan in the last two munity. Questioned why Pakistan bring the two sides together so we ters' two younger brothers work to dailymail. Some studies seem 23.6 points (79 per cent) out of wouldn't have seen this kind of months. We have seen the battle- has had a policy shift and declared can move towards some sort of to help provide for the family, they too good to be true. But most of 30, while men got just 19.8 (66 leakage that is happening along the fields shifting wherever pressure the Taliban an enemy, especially ceasefire." On the issue of pres- still struggle to meet their 3,000 the times they are indeed true! per cent). It also seemed that both border." Asked how concerned Af- comes, wherever the Afghan army in light of recent claims that the sure on the Afghan Taliban he said AFN monthly rent. The uncle of ghanistan and Pakistan govern- moves in we have seen the Taliban country questions the sustainabil- there are dozens of militant ex- the two girls, Said Agha, was the Research if you would call it men and women could conform to only relative home on Monday. He that shows that women are their genders. While men liked to ment's should be over the issue of move and attack in another direc- ity of the National Unity Govern- tremist groups living in Pakistan. thousands of international terror- tion altogether." On the issue of ment, Rashid said that the issue of "So I think the failure really has opened up to TOLOnews about better drivers than men. And that take risks, edge near to the cars in his frustrations with the current is not just good at driving you the front, cut corners and drive ists having crossed the border into whether Afghanistan's Taliban aid- sustainability was a factor espe- been that Pakistan does not con- Afghanistan in the past few ed by international terrorists would cially as government was not able trol the Taliban but Pakistan could government. "The government is round the bend. Women are really through amber lights, apart from months, Rashid said it was a very be able to gain more territory in- to get to grips with issues of gov- be exerting pressure." "Pressure is corrupt, and if we had a proper great drivers of cars, and they talking and texting at the wheel, worrying situation. "I think it is side the country this year Rash- ernance but said he believed Paki- needed by Pakistan but the ques- government it would be able to keep the wheel turning. women, on the other hand, were very alarming. I have not seen such id's answer was a definite yes. "Un- stan made a major mistake in fail- tion is can Pakistan afford to take maintain its security," he said. However, why hasn t anyone careful and cautious. The survey a Taliban offensive in Afghanistan fortunately I do see the Taliban ing to deliver the Taliban to the that risk. Its army is very over- "Both Ashraf Ghani and (Abdul- ever found it out? Because wom- showed that women made typi- since 2003," he said adding that it taking more territory and if there peach talks table. He says it is clear stretched," he said referring espe- lah) Abdullah are authoritarians." en are too modest. They would cal road mistakes far less than was by far the most extreme and is no move towards peace talks, the Taliban are becoming more cially to the military offensive in The neighbors of the two girls, just not say so, even if they know men, according to independent. most violent summer offensive which are still an option I think, stubborn and are first testing the Waziristan. On the issue of short meanwhile, spoke about their am- it. A recent study by Privilege In- Just four per cent of women tail- that was currently underway "right the government could be faced battlefields to see what type of and medium terms goals on the bitions and promising futures. surance has concluded: After gated the vehicle in front, com- across Afghanistan." with a much greater loss of territo- progress they can make. "If they part of Kabul, Rashid said that a "They had many hopes; they used years of debate and banter comes pared to 27 per cent of men. Just "It is an incredible offensive ry than even today. He said he sees do talk to Kabul they want to talk good start would be a ramped up to attend after school classes and the news that will have men run- one per cent of women cut into because for the first time Taliban two major problems that need to from a position of strength. So you level of cooperation on an intelli- wanted to become doctors in the ning for cover. It is now official: traffic dangerously, compared to has launched what is a nationwide be addressed. One being the mili- are going to see more fighting this gence level. He also said that a good future," one neighbor named Said- women are actually better drivers 14 per cent of men. They were uprising." He went on to say the tary problem. The military is now summer and territory will be tak- start would be for Kabul to tackle ullah said. Many others were Afghan army is very stretched and facing a Taliban insurgency that en by the Taliban." But in all fair- the issue of senior Taliban leaders wounded by the attack on Hawash- than men. In what may come as a more likely to be courteous and enasi road on Sunday, such as Far- shock to men across the country, considerate, careful about poten- that the Taliban is following the boasts reinforced militants of for- ness to Ghani, Rashid said that the living in Nuristan and Badakhshan military tactics of Daesh. He eign nationality that have arrived president has faced the problem provinces. These included Afghan id, who used to sell raisin juice off women fared better in many areas tial risks, adjust their mirrors cor- his small cart. He was a few meters of the scoring. Initially, a driver- rectly and stop at traffic lights, pointed out that as with Syria and in the country from Pakistan. The of Pakistan promising one thing Taliban leaders as well as Pakistani Iraq, Daesh was ignoring borders second being that the country is and not delivering on it. Asked Taliban leaders. He suggested a away from the explosion when it attitude survey of 1,383 motor- according to dailymail. Beeson as they are in Afghanistan and facing an internal crisis. "The Na- whether Kabul's expectations on joint military operation by both occurred, and he said he would ists found that less than a third of said: What this report shows is Pakistan. "They ignore borders tional Unity Government has not the peace talks issue was too high, armies to capture these insurgent have surely died if there was not women (28 per cent) believed that men need to give their female between countries and use both been able to get its act together," Rashid said that the "deal was leaders. In conclusion, he said Pa- an armored NATO truck shielding they were better drivers than men. counterparts their due when it countries (Syria and Iraq) as a bat- he said. On the issue of the gov- struck last year by Gen. Sharif and kistan needs to support any peace him. "I was first transferred to 200 However, only one in eight men comes to driving. The facts don t tlefield. Taliban are doing the same ernment, he said it has failed to he informed the international com- initiative with the Taliban no mat- Bestar hospital, but I was con- (13 per cent) thought women were lie. Added Charlotte Fielding, thing here using both Pakistan make serious and necessary ap- munity that there had been a change ter who it is with and most impor- cerned about my family and kids better. Later, in a series of tests head of car insurance at Privilege: and Afghanistan as a battlefield and pointments and that it has failed of heart and that Pakistan would tantly stop blaming India for ev- so I decided to come home and rest designed by driving instructor Neil The research has shown a big ignoring the borders between the to unify the nation. "It has not been deliver the Taliban". "I think Ghani erything that goes wrong in Af- here," Farid told TOLOnews. "I Beeson, it was found that a sam- discrepancy between how men two countries." able to set up a proper government has to continue to pursue peace ghanistan. No third party should want the government to reimburse ple of 50 male and female drivers think they drive and how they Again he drew parallels with and appoint the right people and talks policy and we can only hope be used to blame another country's the wounded victims for the finan- were given an in-car assessment actually drive. News Everyday the Syrian and Iraq wars and said: this vacuum is also demoralizing for success. We have at least had failure, he said. cial losses."

VACANCY

ANNOUNCEMENT NO. WFP/018/2015 WFP is an equal opportunity Employer Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply Issuing Date: [19/05/2015] Closing Date: [02/06/2015] The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world s largest humanitarian Agency, fighting hunger worldwide. WFP has been working in Afghanistan since 1963. In 2014, WFP fed over 3.6 million vulnerable Afghans and our operations include: capacity building, Purchase of Progress (P4P), Food Voucher, Food for Assets, Food for Work, Food for Training, Food for Education, Mother-and-Child Health and Nutrition and Emergency Relief.WFP food assistance aims to help the most vulnerable, food insecure Afghans, including women and children, as well as families affected by conflict and natural disasters. WFP Office based in Kandahar is seeking to fill below position: Job Title: Programme Policy Officer Grade : National Officer - B(WFP reserves the right to appoint a candidate on a grade/level lower than indicated here) Type of contract : Fixed Term Appointment Duration of contract: 12 months (Extendable) Duty Station: Kandahar, Afghanistan Terms and Conditions: Selected candidate will be employed on a fixed-term contract with a probationary period of one year. WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package and specific job related trainings will be offered. Working environment: WFP is committed to ensuring that all its workplaces are free from abuse, offensive behaviour, harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. WFP is also committed to promoting a work culture in which every employee understands, and is able to carry out, his/her personal responsibilities for maintaining the dignity of work colleagues. WFP seeks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women. We believe our mission of fighting global hunger worldwide can only be achieved if women, men, girls and boys are offered equal opportunities in terms of access to resources and services and participation in decision making roles. Job Purpose:To provide support to policy and programme activities that effectively meet food assistance needs Key accountabilities(not all-inclusive, performed within delegated authority): · Contribute towards the development of a wide variety of projects, plans and processes, ensuring alignment with wider programme policies and guidance. · Provide project management support to specific and defined programmes and projects of considerable size/complexity, ensuring a coordinated approach with wider programmes that complies with WFP standards and procedures. · Develop and coordinate data gathering and monitoring systems ensuring that rigorous quality standards are maintained · Coordinate closely and harmonize with the logistics and support units to ensure smooth flow of the program activities; · Research and analyse a range of policy and operational issues to inform the development of policies, programmes and activities. · Contribute to the preparation of accurate and timely reporting on programmes and activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders. · Liaise with internal and external counterparts to ensure effective collaboration, monitor ongoing projects and highlight potential risks to project delivery · Support the identification, development and management of potential partnerships to collaborative working leading to improved food assistance packages. · Support the capacity building of WFP staff, partners and national government to prepare for and respond to food assistance needs, e.g. through providing inputs into training materials. · Guide and supervise more junior staff, acting as a point of referral and supporting them with analysis and queries · Other as required Desired Experience for Entry Into the Role: · Has deepened technical knowledge through exposure to technical teams. · Has taken leadership of implementing programmes. · Has provided input into policy discussions and decisions Minimum qualifications and experience: Education:Advanced University degree in International Affairs, Economics, Nutrition/Health, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Social Sciences or other field relevant to international development assistance, or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and local language Dari and/or Pashto Functional Capabilities: · Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance - Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools. · Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, & Voucher) - Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development. · Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.) - Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring · Emergency Programming - Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches. · Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government - Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes. Organisational Capabilities: · Purpose ability to align individual purpose to WFP s mission. · People - support our people to be the best equipped to serve our beneficiaries. · Partnership lead across boundaries to deliver the best for our beneficiaries. · Performance deliver practical, sustainable, solutions to achieve WFP s mission. Submission Guideline: Afghan Nationals meeting the essential qualifications of the position are invited to apply by submitting a letter of interest with the VA number (i.e. WFP/018/2015) and an updated and signed UN Personal History Form P11 (available at http:// www.undp.org.af/jobs/index.htm). Application should be sent electronically to [email protected] quoting the VA number in the subject line. Failure to comply with the above requirements (i.e. not signed P11 form, no indication of VA number) will result in not considering your application. Please do not send your CV or resume, use the P-11 Form available in above link. Additional considerations: Qualified female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to equally qualify female candidates; Applications received after the closing date will not be considered; only short- listed candidates will be notified or contacted. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES 4,695 illegal Afghan nationals, 4,634 suspects arrested in Peshawar ver 4,634 suspects and ugee or as legal visitor. There are 4,695 unregistered Afghan estimates that around one million Onational were arrested as Afghans living in the country do more than 138 search and strike not have any document to legalise operations were carried out in the their stay in Pakistan. The police provincial capital alone under the and the security forces have accel- National Action Plan (NAP) erated action all over Khyber Pa- launched in the wake of the worst khtunkhwa under the NAP that terrorist attack on the Army Pub- was launched after attack on the lic School in December last year, Army Public School in Peshawar officials told The News. Separate- on December 16 last year. The at- ly, according to statistics compiled tack, considered to be the worst from January 1 to May 5, as many terror attack in the history of the as 175 Afghan prayer leaders were country, had claimed around 150 KABUL: Ex-President Hamid Karzai talking to orphans housed by the Omid Orphanage on Monday. Hamid Karzai removed, 42 people were arrested lives, with more than 135 children. pledged to support the orphanage in provision of education to the orphans. for spreading hate material and 238 Some political leaders and analysts EMERGENCY were rounded up for misusing loud- want the operations under the speakers in Peshawar. Operations NAP to be expedited all over Pa- CALLS under the NAP are underway all kistan. After a suicide attack on Six foreign MoPH reports five percent over the country. However, the chief of Qaumi Watan Party Aftab Police action in Peshawar is more strin- Ahmad Sherpao in Charsadda, he companies bid gent than any other district, result- and his party leaders stressed the ing in a high number of suspects need for more search and strike 100 - 119 decline in maternal mortality being arrested. The provincial cap- action under the NAP in Pesha- for winning ital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has war, Charsadda, Mardan and oth- been the softest and nearest high- er towns. We all must work for Hospitals air control profile target for the attackers, implementation of the NAP and mostly coming from the adjacent monitor the progress of state in- FMIC Hospital contract tribal areas. A number of search op- stitutions on its implementation, Behind Kabul Medical erations were carried out in Saddar Marvi Sirmed, a columnist and civil AT News Report and surrounding areas, Hayatabad society activist, told The News. University: and the surburban Peshawar dur- Peshawar has suffered the 0202500200-+93793275595 KABUL: Afghanistan Civil Avia- ing the last couple of days after most due to violence and that is tion Authority (ACAA) on Mon- reports emerged about serious the reason more efforts are needed day discussed proposals from six threats of terror attacks. Security to secure the city. Senior police Rabia-i-Balkhi Hospital foreign airways companies for in the provincial capital has been officials said their men have sacri- winning the contract of air con- put on high alert and over 80 sus- ficed the most and were ready to Pule Bagh-e- Umomi trol. By Akhtar M. Nikzad creased up to five percent in the services for improvement of moth- pects, including Afghan nationals do more for the security of the 070263672 The ACAA said in a state- past 15 years, but still we have ers and children s health in remote were rounded up in actions during country. Hundreds of our cops ment that the consultative meet- KABUL: Ministry of Public long way to overcome this prob- districts. the last three days. As many as have offered the supreme sacrifice ing exchanged views on different Health (MoPH) on Monday said lem. Still, one in every 50 women The UNFPA representative in 138 search and strike operations of their lives for restoration of Khairkhana Hospital aspects and conditions of the con- that due to accessibility of wom- in the country dies from a preg- Afghanistan, Annette Sachs Rob- were carried out in Peshawar, in- peace. We have held 123 meetings tract with representatives of the en to the healthcare services, ma- nancy-related cause during her life ertson, on the occasion said that cluding 51 in the rural division, 45 with the families of the martyred 0799-321007 companies. Names of the compa- ternal mortality rate has been de- time, she said. to strengthen the midwifery pro- in cantonment division and 42 in cops to know about their prob- 2401352 nies were not mentioned in the creased five percent in Afghani- She pointed out that family plan- fession further, standards of mid- city division. During these opera- lems after their loved ones sacri- statement. stan. Speaking at the Internation- ning had significant role in per- wifery practice must be regulated tions, 197 small machineguns, 910 ficed their lives for the country, The ACAA deputy chief, al Day of the Midwife, Deputy suading women to observe gap and upheld. He said that recruit- shotguns, 106 rifles and 1,251 pis- said the deputy chief of the Pe- Indira Gandhi Children Mahmoud Shah Habibi, said the Minister of Public Health said that between births. Insecurities, low ment and retention policies should tols were recovered, Senior Su- shawar Police Dr Mian Saeed. He bidding process will continue for increase in number of the mid- level awareness of women about be enhanced. Most importantly perintendent of Police (SSP) Op- added that kutcheries (open courts) Hospital, Wazir Akbar upcoming 10 days. We will re- wives helped to reduce the mater- healthcare service during pregnan- there is a need for additional com- erations Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed were held at 20 places to know view the proposals after 10 days. nal mortality rate. Najia Tariq said cy, lack of professional health munity midwives in the most in- Ahmad told The News. In addi- about the problems of the people Khan, Kabul 2301372 We will award the contract to a that currently 4,600 midwives are workers in the remote districts, accessible areas, he said. tion, 218 cases were lodged and and seek their cooperation about company with higher capacities working in the country. The mid- shortage of transportation facili- According to the World 238 people arrested for misuse of any suspicious activity in their and capabilities he added. wives provide prenatal and after ties and inappropriate traditions Health Organization, every year loudspeakers and 36 cases regis- area. Under the NAP, 106 hotels Ibn-e- Seena Air traffic control of Afghan- birth healthcare services to wom- are the major challenges, she said. 287,000 women and over three tered and 42 people held for and inns were checked and 214 istan is administered by Ameri- en in different parts of the coun- She added that despite the prob- million infants lose their lives in spreading hate material under the accused were held by the police. Pul-e-Artan, Kabul can contractors since 2001. The try, she added. Maternal mor- lem, the ministry is committed to the world as result of preventable NAP since January 1. Twelve peo- Security of foreigners and sensi- 2100359 US companies were expected to tality in Afghanistan has been de- provide the necessary healthcare pregnancy-related problems. ple were booked for carrying fake tive installations was upgraded to train local talents to work in this national identity cards, 33 for sell- avoid any threat from the tribal important field. But the process ing uniforms of security forces and areas. During snap checking, the Wazir Akbar Khan failed due to a number of reasons, 17 for selling arms illegally.During police verified 29,100 vehicles and including visa problems, and van- Nawa district chief shot dead Taliban the period, the Peshawar Police 131 were impounded as these were Hospital ishing of a number of officials who registered 2,856 cases under the 14 lifted, snatched or didn t have 2301741, 2301743 were sent for training to the Unit- AT News Report advancing Foreigners Act while 4,695 unreg- record with the concerned depart- ed States. The ACAA officials re- in Shahjoi district of Zabul prov- istered Afghans were arrested and ment, Dr Mian Saeed said. He cently said that Afghans did not KABUL: The chief of Nawa dis- ince. Manaf Khan, the Nawa dis- in Baghlan, deported to their home country. added that the police, via the crim- Ali Abad have the capacity to control the trict of southern Helmand prov- trict chief, was in his private car The action under the Foreigners inal record verification system, air space. However, they said 50 ince has been shot dead in an am- on Kabul-Kandahar highway warns PC chief Act is taken against those who do checked 7,639 people. He said Shahrara, Kabul percent of the air control-related bush of the Taliban militants, said when he was attacked by the Tal- not have any document to legalise 7,637 of them were cleared while activities were controlled by Af- an official source on Monday. iban militants. It is worth men- KABUL: A senior public repre- their stay in Pakistan either as ref- two were rounded up. (The News) 2100439 ghans. At least 350 planes pass The incident took place in tioning that Ghazni province is an sentative on Monday warned that through Afghan air space every Moqor district of Ghazni prov- important gateway to the Kabul people would block the Kabul- day. The US Special Inspector ince. However, Nang Safai, from the southeast. The Taliban Balkh highway if the government TALIBAN Detained Malalai Maternity General for Afghanistan Recon- spokesman for Ghazni governor, militants are active in many parts did not take steps to improve the STORM SECURITY Hospital struction (SIGAR) in its recent said that incident has taken place of the strategic district. security situation in northern teenage bomber report revealed that the United Baghlan province. Baghlan pro- CHECKPOINT IN 2201377/ 2301743 States has spent $562 million for vincial council (PC) chief Safdar paraded in improvement of Afghanistan avi- Pakistan s Ulama terms Muhseni issued the warning at a URUZGAN Banks ation sector in past 13 years but press conference in Kabul, saying AT Monitoring Desk Kunduz Afghan have not received any suicide attacks un-Islamic the road would be blocked if the training in this field yet. government did not strengthen KABUL: The Taliban militants KUNDUZ CITY: Security forc- Da Afghanistan Bank security in Baghlan and failed to stormed security checkpoints of es detained a teenage would-be sui- KABUL: Some 200 religious posing polio immunization cam- decide the fate of the provincial cide bomber before he could strike 2100302, 2100303 scholars have issued a Fatwa (de- paign as misguided people . And Afghan security forces in Khas Seven injured governor and the police chief. Uruzgan district of southern a military base in northern Kun- cree) against suicide attacks and those killing women health work- Muhseni said Taliban insurgents Uruzgan province. Abdul Karim duz province, officials said on Kabul Bank in suicide blast termed them unlawful under Is- ers are the worst criminals, the had launched their operations in Karimi, Khas Uruzgan district Monday. The 13-year-old, Mir- 222666, 070285285 lamic law. The Dawn.com reports decree said. Those who attack wor- Baghlan-i-Markazi district and chief, said that a swarm of Tali- wais, son of Mahiuddin, a resi- that the decree issued at a confer- ship places of non-Muslims are the Dand Ghori area of the provincial ban militants, numbering more dent of Kunduz City, the provin- Azizi Bank in Kandahar ence of Ulama on Sunday said the worst sinners and protecting non- capital, Pul-i-Khumri, over the than hundred fighters, attacked cial capital, had been tasked by philosophy behind the self-styled Muslims is mandatory for an Is- past one year, overrunning 13 security checkpoints in the dis- Taliban militants with carrying out 0799 700900 AT News Report Islamic State (IS), banned Te- lamic state, according to the decree. Afghan military bases. He said the trict, killing two policemen. He a suicide attack on the Bagh-i- Pashtany Bank KABUL: At least seven people hreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Al Qae- Maulana Naqshbandi said the con- military bases had mysteriously warned that the district might fall Shirkat military base. He was ar- injured when a suicide bomber da, Boko Haram and other so- ference had decided to observe Fri- fallen to the insurgents as there into the Taliban s hand, if backup rested by Afghan National Army 2102908, 2103868 detonated his explosives near a called jihadi outfits was mislead- day (May 22) as a day for peace had been no casualties to either troops were not sent. However, and intelligence personnel after he ing. Such groups operated in an and love. On the day, sermons side. He said the Taliban had security officials in the province visited the area, said Kunduz Gov- vehicle of border police in south- said that there are sufficient secu- ernor Muhammad Omar Safi. Pa- ern Kandahar province, said a lo- un-Islamic manner and their think- would be delivered in about 400,000 seized a number of weapons like Air Services ing was flawed because it was mosques against unlawful killings, Kalashnikovs, machineguns, po- rity forces in the district to pre- rading the boy before journalists cal official on Monday. vent it from falling to the Taliban s at a press conference here, Safi said Samim Khpalwak, a spokes- based on poor knowledge and ig- he said. lice vehicles and ammunitions Safi Airways norance, said the decree released An Ulama board would be set up from the bases. Currently, he said, control. Dost Muhammad the Taliban wanted to use the boy man for the provincial governor, Nayeb, spokesman for the pro- in staging a terrorist attack on the said that the suicide blast killed to the media by Maulana Ziaul to counter the narrative of terrorist the Taliban had established a 020 22 22 222 Haq Naqshbandi. The so-called ji- organisations like the TTP and IS. check-post five kilometers away vincial governor office, said that military base, but they failed. Ex- seven people, including two po- security forces have pushed the pressing his concern over the use licemen and five civilians. A secu- hadi outfits were unmindful of the A movement called Eradicate Ter- from Pul-i-Khumri in the Ghori conditions that must be met be- rorism and Save Country would Dand area, controlling people s militants back. He said that secu- of children in suicide attacks by Ariana rity official in the province said fore declaration of jihad. Further- also be launched, said the Maulana. rity forces have killed five Tali- Taliban, the governor claimed the that the target of the suicide blast movement. He said the lack of co- ban militants in retaliation. The 020-2100270 more, the elements involved in Religious leaders of other countries ordination among Afghan securi- militants were training more than was Esmatullah, a commander of Taliban told media that their fight- 20 children in Qala-i-Zal district sectarian killings were guilty of would be approached to get en- ty forces had enabled the Taliban ers have attacked security check- border police. Esmatullah escaped fasad , as Islam did not allow kill- dorsements for the decree, he add- for staging terrorist attacks. He the attack unhurt, he added. No to threaten the people of Pul-i- points in Peroj, Sangar and Chak- said such acts by the insurgents Kam Air ings in the name of sect. The ed. Maulana Naqshbandi said the Khumri and bring under their con- joi areas of the district. Khas group has claimed the responsi- Islamic government is bound to conference had also called for in- were against child rights. Mirwais 0799974422 bility of the blast so far. trol many areas in Dand Ghori Uruzgan district is one of the mil- is actual resident of southern Kan- crush such rebels, said the de- ternational legislation against blas- locality. Despite these tough con- itancy-infested districts of Uruz- Khpalwak termed the perpe- cree. It described the elements op- phemy. (Pajhwok) dahar province. His family sent trators of the blast as enemies of ditions, the provincial council gan province, where the Taliban him to Pakistan s Karachi city for Hotels peace and stability in Afghanistan. chief said Baghlan police chief has a significant presence. Accord- religious education two years Safi Landmark Aminullah Amarkhel had been ing to another report, Taliban have back. He told reporters that his Helmand PC, civil society called to Kabul, leaving his depu- attacked check posts of border teacher beat him and forced him 37kg of ty to struggle with the situation. police in Bala Murghab district of to carry out a suicide attack on 020-2203131 Muhseni said despite the presence Badghis province. He said that the military base. He said his narcotics, ink cooperation agreement of Special Forces Unit command- militants attacked the checkpoints teacher claimed some insiders at SERENA er Brig. Gen. Asadullah Sherzad in Murichaq area of the district the base would help him reach his and Public Order Police com- the other day, the fighting is still alcoholic drinks going on. It is worth mentioning target. He also said about 20 chil- 0799654000 mander Daud Tarakhel in Baghlan, dren were currently being trained security forces had been unable that the Taliban have mounted seized in Balkh their attacks across the country, to become suicide bombers. The New Rumi Restaurant to prevent Taliban s advance. after announcing their spring of- mentors included women, he said. MAZAR-I-SHARIF: Police on (Pajhwok) (Pajhwok) Monday claimed foiling an fensive. 0776351347 attempt to smuggle 37 kilograms of narcotics and alcoholic drinks Internet Services by arresting two persons in the capital of northern Balkh UA Telecom province. The two men were 0796701701 / 0796702702 detained on Sunday evening in the limits of Mazar-i-Sharif on the Kabul-Balkh highway, the Exchange Rate provincial deputy police chief told Pajhwok Afghan News. Col. Purchase: Abdul Razaq Qaderi added the drugs and the beverages were Under the agreement, the group and the PC would make recovered from a car bearing a joint efforts to preserve national values, ensure security One US$ = registration number from western and make efforts at achieving peace and banishing cor- 58.15Afs Herat province and were destined ruption from government departments. for Mazar-i-Sharif from Kabul. One Pound Sterling= He said a third person had been KABUL: The provincial council to cooperate with them in finding 87.07Afs arrested for smuggling alcoholic (PC) and a civil society group in solution to their problems in the One Euro = drinks in a truck a day earlier. He southern Helmand province on corruption-hit Helmand province. said 132 bottles of alcoholic Monday signed an agreement on Other speakers talked about prob- 64.58Afs beverages were recovered from the cooperation, the group said. lems and insecurity in Helmand. 1000 Pak Rs = truck and the detainee had The Helmand Civil Society Under the agreement, the 562Afs confessed to his crime. Mazar-i- in a statement said the agreement- group and the PC would make Sharif residents said they were signing ceremony was attended joint efforts to preserve national Sale: happy with the seizures and asked by hundreds of tribal elders and values, ensure security and make One US$ = police to launch a campaign members of social councils from efforts at achieving peace and ban- against smuggling of drugs and various parts of the province. ishing corruption from govern- 58.35 Afs alcoholic drinks. Speaking on the occasion, Hel- ment departments. One Pound Sterling= Mohammad Salim, a resident mand PC head Haji Mohammad They would join hands in 87.87Afs of the third police district, told Karim Atal said the basic aim of praising positive activities of the Pajhwok Afghan News that no one the agreement was to resolve peo- government and criticising its neg- One Euro= could deny that some people used ple s problems. While Helmand ative activities in joint sittings in KABUL: Nurseries business is blooming in the capital city as the 65.18 Afs alcoholic drinks in the city. Civil Society head Sardar Moham- line with the country s laws. 1000 Pak Rs= 570Afs (Pajhwok) mad Hamdard urged the masses (Pajhwok) demand for seasonal flowering plants goes up. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Pakistan wants durable peace with India: Asif Indian comatose SIALKOT: Minister for Defence situation and was committed to sacrifices and fighting militants Border Security Force along the rur. Khawaja Asif said the govern- and Water and Power Khawaja eradicating terrorism from the coun- shoulder-to-shoulder with the boundary. He said the government ment was spending Rs1.20 billion nurse dies 42 Mohammad Asif said on Monday try. He praised the armed forces armed forces. He said Pakistan was was striving to solve problems of on the projects. Besides, he add- that the government wanted dura- for their role in curbing militancy, playing the role of a frontline state border villages and improve the liv- ed, Rs56bn would be spent on the ble peace with all its neighbours, insurgency and terrorism in the in the fight against terrorism and ing standard of people by provid- construction of Sialkot-Lahore ex- including India, despite the fact country and said the Zarb-i-Azb extremism and establishing dura- ing basic amenities. pressway. years after rape that the latter was supporting ter- operation was achieving its objec- ble peace globally. Solidarity ex- Earlier, the minister laid the The minister said the govern- rorism in Pakistan. tives and progressing successful- pressed with villagers hit by hos- foundation stone of the Govern- ment was committed to resolving MUMBAI: Hospital authorities bate over India's euthanasia laws Addressing a public meeting in ly. Also read: India helping terror- tile actions of the Indian border ment Girls Degree College in the crises that it had inherited, partic- say a Mumbai nurse who was in a after a Mumbai-based author and Kingra-Pasrur village along the ists in Pakistan: Khawaja Asif He force The minister expressed soli- village of Bajra Garhi and inaugu- ularly the energy crisis to put the coma for 42 years after a sexual friend of the nurse petitioned the Sialkot Working Boundary, he said said the nation was united against darity with villagers suffering from rated a project for construction of country on the path of develop- assault while working in a hospi- courts to stop force-feeding her the government was aware of the terrorism and prepared to render the hostile actions of the Indian Sialkot-Kingra Road in tehsil Pas- ment and economic stability. tal has died. through a tube so her suffering Aruna Shanbaug suffered brain would not be prolonged. damage and was in a vegetative state India's Supreme Court reject- after she was raped and strangled ed the petition filed by Pinki Vira- Indian PM arrives in Prolonged political by a hospital worker in 1973. ni who had sought euthanasia for Pravin Bangar, medical super- Shanbaug, saying the court should crisis in Nepal hinders intendent at Mumbai's King Ed- end her unbearable agony." S-Korea on investment hunt ward Memorial Hospital, said The case was opposed by Shanbaug had been diagnosed with nurses at the hospital who took earthquake recovery pneumonia and had been on a life turns taking care of her for more support system for the past few than four decades after Shanbaug's Nepali lawmakers, who have been unable to ratify a constitu- days. family said they were unable to tion in the last eight years, must now deal with the task of Shanbaug's case sparked a de- support her. reconstruction that lies ahead. KATHMANDU: The two mas- and sticking points that have pre- Sri Lanka: New sive earthquakes hit Nepal as the vented the constitution being fina- government was in a prolonged lised, including the name and border political crisis, with lawmakers details of proposed federal states, failing to agree on a new constitu- the electoral system and powers of army chief a blow tion for the country over the past the president or prime minister. The decade. Those same politicians are country has had six prime ministers rewarded top commanders for now being forced to oversee the in a sustained period of political in- to justice their role in the war. Gen. Dias nation s post-disaster reconstruc- stability, which has badly affected served as the deputy head of Sri tion, with that issue now periph- the Nepali economy. Officials told ri Lanka s promotion of a se Lanka s mission to Germany from eral, yet still essential to Nepal s Channel NewsAsia that this earth- nior officer whose division 2009 to 2011. In 2013, Gen. Dias future. "If this earthquake had hap- quake crisis now presents an op- Swas implicated in serious hu- was denied entry visas to Austra- pened after we had framed the con- portunity to do a better job than man rights abuses casts doubt on lia and the United States for his stitution, after we had given the before. "There cannot be any insti- government pledges to credibly in- possible involvement in war people the constitution that they tution more transparent of more ac- vestigate alleged war crimes, Hu- crimes. In light of the Sri Lankan had been waiting for, it would have countable than the government, be- man Rights Watch said today. government s resistance to ac- been different mindset in the minds cause any penny that we spend Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias, who led countability, the UN Human of the people about the govern- would be under the scrutiny of the the Army s 57th Division during Rights Council in March 2014 the last two years of the civil war adopted a resolution calling on the with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Office of the High Commissioner Eelam (LTTE), was appointed for Human Rights to open an in- SEOUL: Indian Prime Minister home appliances. Modi is looking shipyard of the world's largest army chief of staff, one of the armed dependent international investiga- Narendra Modi arrived in Seoul on to secure promises of bigger in- shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy In- forces highest post. Although ef- tion into allegations of abuses by Monday for a two-day visit heavi- vestments as part of his Make In dustries, in the southern city of fective May 7, 2015, the appoint- both sides. The Rajapaksa govern- ly focused on economic ties with India initiative, aimed at foster- Ulsan and to meet with its chair- ment was only made public on ment refused to cooperate with the Asia's fourth-largest economy and ing the nation's relatively weak man Choi Kil-Seon. May 15. Sri Lanka s new gov- investigation.The present govern- beefing up investment from South manufacturing sector. South Ko- Hyundai Motor Company, ernment has promised genuine ac- ment of President Maithripala Korean firms. On his first visit to rea has made far less investment in South Korea's largest carmaker, countability for wartime abuses, Sirisena, elected in January 2015, Seoul since taking office a year ago, India than other Asian rivals like operates two plants in the south- but naming the general of an abu- has stated publicly that it intends Modi was to meet President Park China or Japan despite the coun- ern Indian city of Chennai, and ment and political leadership, said parliament, would be under the scru- sive unit the army chief of staff is to reverse Rajapaksa s policies and Geun-Hye to discuss issues rang- try's vast growth potential, Oh expanding that investment is ex- Dr D Panday, Nepal s former Fi- tiny of constitutional organs and a slap in the face for victims, said deliver justice and accountability ing from diplomacy and the econ- Hwa-Suk, head of the Seoul-based pected to be high on the agenda nance Minister and the former many other parliamentary commit- Brad Adams, Asia director. Mem- for war crimes. While positive omy to the security situation on India Economy Research Institute, during a meeting between Modi president of Transparency Inter- tees, individuals, journalists, said bers of the UN Human Rights steps have been taken to end the the Korean peninsula. The trip told AFP. and Hyundai Motor chairman national Nepal. Nepal has experi- Information Minister Dr Minendra Council expecting genuine account- Rajapaksa government s repres- part of a six-day East Asia tour India also needs help upgrad- Chung Mong-Koo in Seoul, also enced years of in-fighting and pro- Rijal. We're open to all of them, ability in Sri Lanka need to closely sive governance style, the new ad- is packed with a whirlwind of ing its outdated transport infra- on Tuesday. tests over the drafting of a new but we'll do our best to make sure scrutinize the government s ac- ministration has yet to make mean- meetings with business tycoons structure a constant source of A planned meeting with JK constitution, designed to finally that it's spent even more transpar- tions. The last months of Sri Lan- ingful moves toward addressing from South Korea's largest con- frustration among foreign firms Shin the head of Samsung's bring a final resolution to a decade ently than the way other funds have ka s 26-year-long civil war, which wartime abuses. The government glomerates, including Hyundai, operating there. Indian media re- mobile unit in Seoul is also ex- of civil war. The peace process been spent in the past, he said. ended on May 19, 2009, with the should put into place an effective Samsung and LG. All three manu- ports suggested Modi was hoping pected to help accelerate the South began in 2006 following a revolu- The government is facing a defeat of the LTTE, were marked accountability mechanism with a facturing giants operate plants in to secure up to $10 billion in South Korean firm's reported plans to tion by Maoist rebels and aims to shortfall of more than US$ 1.5 bil- by widespread violations of the significant international compo- India where they enjoy sizeable Korean soft loans to fund infra- build a third plant in India, one of transition the country officially lion of funds needed to rebuild and laws of war by both sides. An in- nent. Previous government ac- shares of the vast consumer mar- structure projects. On Tuesday, the world's fastest-growing hand- from a monarchy to a republic. public intellectuals called for ac- dependent report commissioned countability mechanisms have ket for cars, smartphones and Modi is scheduled to visit the main set markets. There has been a number of delays countability across the board. by the United Nations secretary- been impaired by harassment, general found that up to 40,000 threats, and violence against wit- civilians, mostly ethnic Tamils, died nesses and commissioners. The during the war s final months. The best way to address this problem Pak interior minister chairs meeting to review security situ- 57th Division took part in the last would be to create a combined in- battles of the war, including the ternational and domestic court sim- son said. The interior minister also that Pakistan has been a victim of which 45 people were killed and extremely bloody and abusive ilar to the successful hybrid courts ation in Karachi paid a visit to Yadgar-e-Shuhada and this war since 14 years after 2001. eight others were injured. The meet- fighting on a small stretch of beach ing was attended by Director Gen- in Sierra Leone and Bosnia-Herze- ederal Interior Minister a high-level meeting at the Rangers offered fateha. peaking at the press "2009,2010 and 2011 were intense in Mullaitivu district. Human govina. conference, Nisar said that so years when it comes to terrorism and eral (DG) Rangers Major General Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Headquarters to review the over- Bilal Akbar, Chief Secretary Sindh, Rights Watch documented the in- The government s appointment far10,000 intelligence based opera- our government tried for the first discriminate shelling of civilians F while speaking to media rep- all law and order situation in the time to find a cure for this," Nisar Home Secretary, Sindh Police In- of General Dias is further proof resentatives in Karachi on Mon- city and the rest of Sindh prov- tions have taken place and many spector General (IG) Ghulam Haid- and hospitals by government forc- that Sri Lanka needs an indepen- operations were done through po- said. "Take a look at terrorism in June day, said that the investigation ince. The interior minister was 2013 and compare it with terrorism er Jamali, Additional Inspector Gen- es in the region where the 57th dent justice process with a strong pertaining to the Safoora incident briefed about the progress in the lice and civil armed forces. "Ever since now...today weeks pass by and no eral (IG) Sindh Police Ghulam Qa- Division was deployed. international component that can is under way and a few suspects investigation of the Safoora inci- the National Action Plan (NAP) com- blasts occur," he added. He further dir Thebo, and other senior officials. The previous government of Pres- undertake impartial investigations have been arrested. "The investi- dent and other high-profile target menced, more that 3,000 intelligence added that intelligence agencies, po- Nisar also met Sindh Chief Minis- ident Mahinda Rajapaksa denied and prosecutions, Adams said. gation is positive and there are killings in the city. Nisar appreci- based operations have taken place," lice and security have worked hard ter Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Gover- any laws-of-war violations by the Six years since the end of the bru- signs that we are on the right track," ated the Rangers' role in curbing he added. "There has been an im- ever since the operation began. Nisar nor Dr Ishratul Ibad at the Chief military and placed all blame for tal conflict, the victims of the war Nisar said. "We will get to who target killings and said that terror- provement in the overall situation of arrived in Karachi on a one-day visit Minister House and Governor civilian losses on the LTTE. He still await justice. ever was behind this act," he add- ists involved in recent activities Pakistan but the war against terror- to get a detailed briefing regarding House respectively. He is also ed. Nisar requested that this im- will be brought to justice as the ism is ongoing". The interior minis- Wednesday's terrorist attack on a bus scheduled to meet the leader of Is- portant investigation is not rushed. investigations are based on con- ter also said that the war against ter- carrying members of the Ismaili maili community Sultan Ali Allana Earlier, the interior minister chaired crete leads, a Rangers spokesper- rorism is not an easy war. He added community near Safoora Goth in during his visit. Paradoxes of Sri Lanka women s equality nominates former Malaysia, Bangladesh FMs to discuss cricket boss as top Malaysia's Foreign Minister Anifah Aman will meet his Bangladeshi counterpart A H Mahmood Ali at Kota Kinabalu after migrants in Bangladesh envoy to Australia migrant crisis from Myanmar and Bangladesh arrived on Malaysian shores. Sri Lanka has nominated a new KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's agency Bernama. The meeting with washed ashore in Malaysia over The arrivals from Bangladesh chief envoy to Australia a former Foreign Minister (FM) will meet Bangladesh's A H Mahmood Ali the past week, with hundreds of are believed to be mainly econom- cricket administrator, businessman his Bangladeshi counterpart Sun- will take place in the Malaysian others reaching Indonesia. Activ- ic migrants seeking to escape their and member of country's Tamil day (May 17) to discuss the crisis city of Kota Kinabalu. Reports in ists said thousands more are feared country's grinding poverty, while minority. Somasundaram Skanda- involving a surge in stricken boat Bangladeshi media suggested that to be drifting at sea in rickety boats those from Myanmar are predom- kumar, originally from the coun- try's northern city of Jaffna and a people from Bangladesh and My- the country's top diplomat was in after a Thai crackdown on human- inantly members of that country's past secretary of the Board of anmar flooding to Southeast Asia, Malaysia as part of a pre-planned trafficking disrupted busy smug- Muslim Rohingya minority. Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka, state media said. trip rather than in response to the gling routes to Southeast Asia. In- has been put forward as the next "It is one of the topics and a growing international uproar over ternational pressure on the region Thousands of such migrants high commissioner to Australia. very important issue in the agen- the migrant influx. Malaysian for- to take in the starving migrants ar- make it to Malaysia every year, The post has been vacant since Jan- da," Foreign Minister Anifah Aman eign ministry officials could not be riving in rickety vessels has mount- which is sought after for its rela- uary when the previous represen- was quoted saying in a brief dis- immediately reached for comment. ed after Malaysia and Indonesia tively prosperous economy and tative was recalled shortly after Sri patch by Malaysia's official news More than 1,000 migrants have turned away boats. for being majority Muslim. Lanka's surprise election result that toppled former president Perpetually snarled traffic in Dha- women's notable progress and Mahinda Rajapaksa. Australia was Philippines firm on turning Lytham firm to play important ka, Bangladesh's capital, symbol- sharp contestation today around sharply criticised by human rights izes the vibrant spirit of this na- basic women's rights. Progress is groups for close ties to the former tion of 160 million but also the host most visible in rapid increases in Rajapaksa government and at- away boat people from part in the Nepal relief effort of difficult problems it confronts. girls' education and in a dynamic tempts to discourage Tamil asy- A company is playing a part in en- Bangladesh is in the cross-hairs of garment industry where 80 percent lum seekers from fleeing by boat. MYANMAR, BANGLADESH suring Nepal recovers from the changing climate (since most of the of workers are women. Women are Australia also opposed the estab- earthquakes which have killed more country is near sea level). The political leaders, professors, art- lishment of a United Nations in- Malaca ang on Monday main- than 8,000 people. Damian and earthquakes in neighboring Nepal ists, doctors, etc. They are fear- quiry last year into the final months tained the Philippines will drive Helen Broughton, who founded were felt in Bangladesh, a remind- less leaders of a host of feminist of Sri Lanka's civil war, where thou- Lytham-based accountants Danbro, sands of civilians are believed to away Asian boat people or the er of high disaster risks. A highly organizations. But at the family undocumented migrants from are trustees of Operation Orphan, complex and acrimonious political level and in social norms women have perished. The former high which was founded five years ago commissioner to Australia, Thisa- Myanmar and Bangladesh if they scene dominates issues about state are often subordinate and, if any- ever land in the country s shores. to make a difference to children s roles. The lively press points out thing, observers see a rise in tradi- ra Samarasinghe, was Mr Rajapak- lives. Aid workers from the charity sa's former navy chief in 2009 Communications Secretary a host of contradictions, between tional behaviors, most marked in which regularly holds fund-rais- Pictured are just some of the when the long-running war with Herminio Coloma Jr. defended the ers locally, such as a recent fashion actively contested elections and women's dress as the hijab and the separatist Tamil Tigers ended. position of the Palace saying that thousands of Nepalese children political tension and stalemate, a niqab are increasingly common. show at Blackpool and The Fylde being helped But the election of Maithripala it is a mere restatement of appli- College have just returned from rich cultural and ethical heritage and Challenges to women's full equali- Sirisena? this year came with the cable provisions of our existing Nepal, where they worked with founded by Brad and Cyrilyn high levels of corruption, and en- ty are often framed in religious promise of fresh accountability laws. Despite its firm stance viable growth rates and still deep terms, and it is the more funda- and an end to the allegations of partners to feed approximately Moore, also distributed blankets, against undocumented migrants, 1,000 people for a week. For many hats, gloves, tents and assisted poverty. Bangladesh, with a tenth mentalist elements of religious torture and nepotism that dogged of the world's Muslim population, leadership and media that fuel de- the Rajapaksa years. A spokesper- the Palace said it has historically it was the first aid they had received with first aid. Speaking after re- son for Sri Lanka's Ministry of extended humanitarian assistance since the first earthquake. UNICEF turning from Nepal, where he has long prided itself on religious bates, in homes, in newspapers, Foreign Affairs confirmed the to boat people, such as the case statistics report that 950,000 chil- helped with the relief effort, Mr tolerance and Muslim, Hindu, and in practical matters like di- country's parliament has been of the Vietnamese refugees in the dren are not able to return to school. Moore said: We purchase food Buddhist, and Christian commu- vorce. 1970s. The Philippines has ex- long-standing mechanisms pursu- A second quake has added to the and deliver it directly to villages. nities living together in harmony. In Bangladesh, as in many asked to approve Mr Skandaku- All of these families live in re- mar for the position in Australia. tended humanitarian assistance to ant to our commitments under the anguish and heartbreak, and the But in the first three months of countries, feminist movements monsoon season could cost more mote areas in the mountains and Australia must also accept his boat people and had even estab- Convention, the Presidential have not received any relief prior 2015 three bloggers who contest- have tended to be distinctly secu- nomination before he can take up lished a processing center for Viet- Communications Operations Of- lives. All of these families live in ed religious extremism were bru- lar. What this means in practice is remote areas in the mountains and to this. It took eight hours to trav- the job. Elaine Pearson, of Human namese travelers in the seventies, fice chief said. In an earlier Inquir- el 140 km along the most rugged tally hacked to death with machet- first that many women's groups Rights Watch in Australia, said it Coloma said in a statement. er report, Coloma was quoted as have not received any relief prior and exposed mountain roads. es, one in broad daylight, by, who were outright suspicious of reli- was unfortunate Australia had He added the Philippines is a saying that the Philippines will to this. It took eight hours to travel Helping Nepal sit up and then knows? The attackers have yet to gious institutions, seeing them as muted criticism of rights violations 140 km along the most rugged and stand up is not going to be easy. state party to the 1951 Conven- only accept documented migrants exposed mountain roads Belen be brought to justice. The incidents patriarchal and at best lukewarm in win Sri Lanka's support for "dis- tion Relating to the Status of Ref- who qualify as asylum seekers. But if everyone does a little, then point to the complexity of the re- about women's equality. Second, credited" refugee policies. Broughton, director of people and hopefully this will be realised. "The recent change of govern- ugees which provides succor and According to reports, some standards at Danbro, said: What s ligious landscape and fears that many have tended to ally them- 6,000 Bangladeshis and Rohingya Operation Orphan hopes to send Bangladeshi traditions of tolerance selves with political and civil soci- ment in Sri Lanka should be a les- relief to persons involuntarily dis- happening in Nepal and elsewhere further expeditions to Nepal in son to Australia not to simply ap- placed from their homelands as a Muslims from Myanmar are adrift shows how fragile life can be. We September to distribute winter are threatened by growing funda- ety groups that argue for global pease authoritarian rulers, but to consequence of political conflict. in boats in the Southeast Asian seas really hope others unite and sup- clothing and offer practical assis- mentalism intolerant of traditional norms like universal human rights listen to the voices of the people," We shall continue to do our share after being abandoned by smug- port Operation Orphan and the re- tance to help families prepare for Islam and of modernizing trends. and for "neutral" approaches to Ms Pearson said. in saving lives under existing and glers. lief effort in Nepal. The charity, the winter. Another paradox is Bangladeshi religious parties. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19 , 2015 AFGHANISTAN TIMES Saudi forces Kerry says US, respond to EU ministers to push Houthi ambitious naval force plan China discussing cross further sanctions border fire Saudi forces on Monday targeted on North Korea Yemeni Houthi militiamen across the border after the fighters fired SEOUL: The United States is dis- traordinary leverage. "We will have at an army outpost. cussing with China imposing fur- security and economic dialogue The fighting comes as a Saudi- ther sanctions against North Ko- with the Chinese in Washington in led Arab coalition resumed air rea as the reclusive country is "not June and that will be the moment strikes on the Iranian-allied Houthi even close" to taking steps to rein where we will table some of these militia positions in and around the in its nuclear weapons program, specific steps." Kerry did not elab- southern Yemeni city of Aden U.S. Secretary of State John Ker- orate on possible measures and it overnight after a five-day humani- ry said on Monday. Speaking in was not clear whether he was re- tarian truce expired on Sunday. the South Korean capital, Kerry ferring to steps that would be tak- Bombings struck the rebel-held said Washington had offered the en by the two powers or by the presidential palace in Aden, groups North the chance of an improved United Nations. Chinese Foreign of militiamen on the western and relationship in return for signs of a Ministry spokesman Hong Lei eastern approaches to the city as genuine willingness to end its nu- declined to comment on Kerry's well as the international airport clear program. "To date, to this mo- remarks. China has a history of where Houthis and local fighters ment, particularly with recent resisting tough moves against have been clashing, said residents. provocations, it is clear the DPRK North Korea not mandated by res- There was no word on any casualties. Explosions could be heard near the southern city's air- port and the districts of Khor Maksar and Crater shortly after the five-day ceasefire expired on Sunday. Yemen's foreign minister told Reuters the Saudi-led coali- tion had decided not to renew the truce because the agreement had United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, right, Italian Premier Matteo Renzi, left, and European Union High Representative Federica been repeatedly broken by the Mogherini, second left, arrive for a visit to an Italian Navy ship in the Mediterranean Sea, Monday, April 27, 2015. (AP) Houthi militias. "That's what we said before -- that if they start Foreign and defense ministers from 60,000 migrants have already at- told the BBC that ISIS militants of North Africa which are controlled again, we will start again," said the European Union are to gather tempted to get across the Medi- are being smuggled into Europe by the militants. He added that ISIS Reyad Yassin Abdullah from Ye- on Monday to endorse plans for terranean Sea to Europe this year. across the Mediterranean by smug- was allowing the smugglers to con- men's exiled government in Riy- an ambitious naval force to fight Over 1,800 people are feared to glers. Libyan government official tinue their operations in exchange adh. U.S. Secretary of State John people smugglers in the Mediter- have died in the crossing in over- Abdul Basit Haroun said that for a 50 percent share of their reve- Kerry said on Monday Washing- ranean. The plans come after a se- crowded and unsafe boats since the smugglers were hiding ISIS mili- nue. In early 2015, the EU s border ton supported extending a "hu- ries of shipwrecks that killed hun- beginning of 2015 a 20-fold in- tants aboard their vessels crammed control agency had warned that it manitarian pause" in the fighting dreds of migrants making the per- crease over the same period in with migrants. He claimed this in- was possible for foreign fighters in Yemen, but that maneuvers by ilous voyage from North Africa. 2014, according to the BBC. formation was from conversations to be using illegal migration in the The U.N. estimates that around On Sunday, a Libyan official he had with boat owners in parts Mediterranean to get into Europe. Houthi militias made that difficult. is not even close to meeting that olutions of the U.N. Security "We know that the Houthis standard," Kerry told a joint news Council, on which it sits with veto were engaged in moving some mis- conference with South Korean For- power. sile-launching capacity to the bor- Twin blasts eign Minister Yun Byung-se. "In- Hong, at a daily news briefing, der and under the rules of engage- Singapore slams Iran stead it continues to pursue nucle- merely reiterated China's calls for ment, it was always understood rock offices of ar weapons and ballistic missiles." denuclearization of the whole Ko- that if there were proactive moves DPRK stands for Democratic Peo- rean peninsula. Pyongyang walked by one side or another, then that Turkey's ple's Republic of Korea, the away from a 2005 deal with Chi- would be in violation of the cease- for firing warning shots North's official name. fire agreement," Kerry told report- na, Japan, Russia, South Korea and Kurdish party The country is already under the United States to end its nucle- ers in the South Korean capital. heavy UN, EU and U.S. sanctions The Houthi militias were not im- Twin explosions on Monday hit ar program in return for diplomat- for its missile and nuclear tests. "I ic and economic rewards. mediately available for comment. the regional headquarters of Tur- think never has the international Saudi Arabia and its Arab al- key's main pro-Kurdish party in Then in 2012, weeks after signing two cities amid escalating tensions community been as united as we a deal entering a moratorium on lies have been conducting an of- are now, that, number one North fensive against the Houthis and in the run up to June 7 legislative nuclear and long-range missile tests, elections, a party official said. Six Korea needs to denuclearize," Ker- the North launched a ballistic mis- units loyal to former president Ali ry said, adding a pending nuclear people were injured in the blast at sile, effectively voiding the agree- Abdullah Saleh for more than six the office of the People's Demo- deal with Iran could serve as an weeks, saying the rebels are backed cratic Party (HDP) in the south- example to the North. "With re- ment that also promised U.S. food by Iran. The campaign has yet to ern city of Adana, three of them spect to the methodology for aid to the impoverished state. reverse the Houthis' advance into seriously, the official told AFP. The boosting sanctions and other The North recently tested Aden and along battlefronts across official said the frontal facade of things, we (the United States and what it said was a submarine- Yemen's south. A five-day truce the building sustained damage. launched ballistic missile, raising Another blast occurred in nearby China) are discussing all of that that started on Tuesday night halt- now. China has obviously an ex- regional tension. ed the air strikes and allowed hu- Mersin in southern Turkey when manitarian aid into the blockaded a flower sent to the party office exploded, the party official said. country, though residents of the There were no casualties. The Ukraine vows to show off remote southern provinces of Sha- motives and causes of the blasts bwa, Dhalea and Abyan said heavy were not immediately clear. The captured Russian soldiers ground fighting persisted despite HDP's co-chairman Selahattin the agreed pause. Demirtas was due to address a ral- KIEV: Ukraine vowed on Mon- flown to Kiev for their public ap- Since Tuesday, Saudi-led forc- Singapore on Monday condemned of critical importance to Singapore ty, which is operated by Norway's ly in Mersin later in the day. In day to present to the public two pearance on Tuesday. Kiev's claim es and the Houthi militias had large- Iranian forces for firing warning and other maritime and trading na- Transpetrol TM AS, had hit the April, unidentified assailants Russian soldiers it claimed to have was dismissed by Russian President ly observed the ceasefire meant to shots in the Gulf at a commercial tions," it added. The MPA said it rig in the Gulf after drifting off opened fire on the HDP headquar- captured while fighting Moscow- Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmit- allow delivery of food, fuel and ship registered in the Asian city- had "requested the Iranian mari- course. Habib Jadidi, a director of ters in the capital Ankara, with no backed forces in the separatist east. ry Peskov. Both the military and medical supplies to millions of state, calling it a "serious violation time authorities to investigate the Iran's giant South Pars gas field casualties. The government con- Russian soldier said captured other Moscow authorities have re- of international law". The Mari- incident and prevent future recur- operations, said Transpetrol was demned that attack as a blow to Yemenis caught in the conflict since Turkey's democracy and stability. in Ukraine admits on video to spy- peatedly stressed that "there are no the alliance began air strikes on time and Port Authority (MPA) rences". In the incident, Iranian informed of the $300 million dam- ing mission Reuters The political- Russian soldiers in the Donbass," also urged Tehran to investigate Revolutionary Guard forces fired age to the oil rig but had not taken Tensions are mounting ahead of March 26. The coalition was not Turkey's key elections next month ly-charged declaration came as a Peskov said, referring to eastern considering any new ceasefire ac- Thursday's incident involving the warning shots across the bow of steps to pay compensation, ac- in which the HDP is seeking to tenuous February truce was bro- Ukraine. "But I otherwise cannot cording to Yemen's foreign minis- Singapore-flagged Alpine Eternity the Singapore-flagged tanker be- cording to a report by Shana, a clear the 10 percent quota to take ken by more violence that claimed comment," Peskov told Moscow ter Reyad Yassin Abdullah. which it said was in international fore vessels from the United Arab news outlet belonging to Tehran's seats in the parliament. The HDP's waters. "With regard to the report- Emirates came to the ship's aid, oil ministry. The MPA said it was success could dent the ruling AKP ed shooting incident on 14 May according to US officials. After investigating the oil rig incident party's plans to reach a thumping 2015, involving a Singapore-regis- hearing a radio call for help, the after receiving a report from majority in the 550-seat parliament ISIS fires tered tanker 'Alpine Eternity' that United Arab Emirates dispatched Transpetrol. Observers have said in order to change the constitution took place in international waters, coastguard vessels to aid the tank- Iran's firing of warning shots re- and create a presidential system. Singapore is deeply concerned er and the Iranian boats then left flects rising tensions in the Gulf, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, barrage of who steered Turkey as prime min- with such actions," the MPA said the area. The Iranian vessels had exacerbated by the conflict in Ye- ister for 11 years, has appealed to in a statement. "Such interference apparently tried to intercept the men in which Tehran-backed Shi- his supporters to help elect 400 with navigational rights is a seri- ship to settle a legal dispute over ite rebels are engaged in a conflict AKP lawmakers in June's vote, rockets at ous violation of international law," an Iranian oil rig that was damaged against a Saudi-led coalition of giving him the backing to rewrite it said. "The freedom of naviga- on March 22. An Iranian official Sunni Arab states and pro-Yemeni the constitution -- and assume full Palmyra tion and free flow of commerce are on Friday said the Alpine Eterni- government forces. executive powers himself. ISIS fired a barrage of rockets on residential neighborhoods in Syr- Assad, under pressure, may need ia's ancient city of Palmyra, killing US-led coalition targets five civilians including two chil- his friends more than ever the lives of at least four Ukrainian Echo radio. "In this case, this is dren, a monitoring group said ISIS IN RAMADI servicemen. Russia firmly denies something for the experts or our de- Monday. The Syrian Observato- hen Lebanon's Hezbollah seized from fighters identified as any involvement in the Ukrainian fence ministry to do -- to say how ry for Human Rights also report- The U.S.-led coalition against the revealed for security reasons. Now first joined Syria's war on members of al Qaeda's Syrian arm, conflict and accuses the pro-West- plausible this material is." Details ed fierce clashes between the mili- the side of President the Nusra Front. "It takes a while tants and government troops on Islamic State of Iraq and Syria that the Hashid has received the W ern leadership in Kiev of waging a disclosed by Ukrainian officials Bashar al-Assad, its role was a for the boys to clear the area be- the outskirts of the city's 2,000- (ISIS) has conducted 19 air strikes order to march forward, they will war of attrition against its own since the claimed capture of the sol- year-old UNESCO world heritage in the vicinity of the Iraqi city of definitely take part, said Ali al-Sa- closely guarded secret. Today, as cause there are lots mines," the people in the industrial east of the diers on Saturday suggest they were site. "At least five civilians, includ- Hezbollah plants its flag in land commander said. The offensive, a ex-Soviet state. But it concedes seized in a gun battle between Rus- ing two children, were killed Sun- won from rebels north of Dam- joint operation with the Syrian that some "volunteers" and off- sian special forces and Ukrainian day night when ISIS fired rockets ascus, its role could hardly be more army, is one bright spot for the duty soldiers may have crossed troops in Lugansk province. "There on numerous neighborhoods in public. And for Syria's increasing- Syrian leader. Over the past two Russia's southwestern border to were about 14 of them," Seleznyov Tadmur," the Observatory told ly embattled president, Hezbol- months Assad has lost more of his support separatist militias fight- said in reference to the Russian unit. Agence France-Presse, using the lah's help is more critical than ever. country to a patchwork of groups ing in Ukraine's Lugansk and Do- "We lost one soldier from the 92nd Arabic name for the city. "It's the In the last week, the Iranian-backed that include Islamic State, which netsk rustbelt. "For us, it is very brigade." The capture had been ini- first time that ISIS has fired so guerrilla group has unleashed its is also on the march in neighboring important to present to the entire tially claimed by the Aidar Battal- many rockets on the city," said powerful arsenal to drive insur- Iraq. For Assad, it has been one of world Russian soldiers who sup- ion of volunteer fighters that Rus- Observatory chief Rami Abdel gents from wide areas of the Qala- the toughest spells since the first posedly do not exist on our land," sian media and the Kremlin portray Rahman, who gathers information moun mountain range, a short drive year or two of the conflict that Ukrainian military spokesman as vicious neo-Nazi gunmen who from a network of civilians, med- from Assad's seat of power in spiraled out of an uprising against Vladyslav Seleznyov told AFP. commit war crimes. Aidar on Mon- ics and fighters in Syria. Accord- Damascus. "We have secured 300 his rule during the 2011 "Arab "These are fighters from the 3rd day backtracked from its initial claim ing to Syrian antiquities director square kilometres between Syria Spring". non-divisional brigade of the spe- of responsibility and confirmed that Mamoun Abdulkarim, two rock- and Lebanon," the Hezbollah com- He has lost big areas of Idlib cial forces. the Ukrainian 92nd brigade was in- ets fell Sunday on the garden of mander leading the operation told province to an alliance of Sunni They are based in (the Volga volved. If Kiev can prove the Krem- Palmyra's museum, which houses journalists during a trip to the area Islamist insurgents who are wide- River city of) Togliatti," he said. lin's direct involvement in the fight- statues, sarcophagi, and other well- on Friday, as dozens of fighters in ly assumed to have received more Another Ukrainian defence ing that has caused 6,250 deaths in preserved artifacts, without caus- desert fatigues combed the barren support from Saudi Arabia, Tur- spokesman told reporters that the the past 13 months, it would put ing any damage. It was earlier re- landscape. Hezbollah's yellow flag key and Qatar - regional states that wounded soldiers had been treat- additional pressure on Moscow to ported that the Syrian government fluttered from nearby hilltops want Assad gone from power. ed in hospital and were being change course on Ukraine. troops and militia put up fierce resistance to the ISIS assault on Ramadi over the past 72 hours, a rai, a member of the Hashid Shaa- the town. ISIS militants had seized spokesman for the coalition said bi s media wing. They were wait- German ministry softens CO2 emission demands for power plants part of the town of Tadmur on Sat- on Monday. The Coalition in- ing for this order and now they have urday. The fighting caused the creased its support in Ramadi to- it. Ramadi is dominated by Sunni BERLIN: Germany plans to force of its target to cut greenhouse gas- an attempt to defuse the situation, ment. death of nearly 300 people, a mon- day, in order to fulfill all requests Muslims. Prime Minister Haider al- coal-fired power plant operators es by 40 percent by 2020 com- the economy ministry now plans Under the original proposal pow- itor said, according to Agence of the Iraqi security forces, said Abadi signed off on the deployment to reduce their CO2 emissions by pared to 1990 levels. But RWE, to require coal plant operators to er plants older than 20 years were France-Presse. the spokesman. The strikes target- of Shi'ite militias to attempt to seize 2020 by less than previously the country's largest power pro- cut their emissions by 16 million required to pay a penalty on CO2 The Britain-based Syrian Obser- ed ISIS fighting positions, armored back the area, a move he had previ- planned, according to an economy ducer, warned the measure would tonnes by 2020, compared with a emitted above a limit of seven mil- vatory for Human Rights, which and technical vehicles, and build- ously resisted for fear of provoking ministry document seen by Reu- lead to the immediate closure of previous target of at least 22 mil- lion tonnes per gigawatt of installed relies on a network of sources on ings they control. Meanwhile Shi- a sectarian backlash. About 500 ters on Monday, bowing to oppo- its lignite-fired power plants. In lion tonnes, according to the docu- capacity, with the oldest power the ground, said the toll comprised ite paramilitaries were preparing people have been killed in the fight- sition from within the industry. plants receiving even lower exemp- 123 soldiers and loyalist militia- to deploy to the western province ing for Ramadi in recent days and Thousands of coal workers tions. men, 115 ISIS fighters and 57 ci- of Anbar in response to the ISIS between 6,000 and 8,000 have fled, marched in Berlin last month to The new proposal has raised the vilians. It said dozens of the civil- advance. Infographic: How Rama- a spokesman for the provincial gov- protest against plans to slap a levy amount of CO2 older power sta- ians had been executed. di fell to ISIS Design by Farwa ernor said. The city s fall marked a on the oldest and most polluting tions are able to emit before the The Britain-based watchdog Rizwan/ Al Arabiya News) A major setback for the forces ranged power plants, which unions say penalties kick in. "Increasing the reported heavy artillery exchang- spokesman for the paramilitaries, against ISIS: a U.S.-led coalition and could put 100,000 jobs at risk. The amount that is exempt by almost a es in the west of the town, close to known as Hashid Shaabi, told Re- the Iraqi security forces, which have levy is aimed at forcing coal oper- third will significantly increase the the UNESCO-listed world heritage uters they had received orders to been propped up by Iranian-backed ators to slash their emissions and profitability of older power sta- site. mobilize, but details could not be Shiite militias stop Germany from falling short tions," the document said. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY .MAY 19, 2015 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 Jackie Chan can play a role in knocking AFGHANISTAN TIMES out Afghanistan s opiate addiction Editor: Abdul Saboor Sarir By M. Nadeem Alizai flicts all segments of the society. a need for someone to eject the will have some effect. His visits Phone No: +93-772364666 Last year was quite challenging for Unfortunately, millions of addiction from Afghan cities and could yield support for alterna- E-mail: [email protected] Afghanistan, not because of the dollars have been poured into the villages, as the government-led tive livelihood programs. NATO-led forces withdrawal, but failed eradication campaigns with drives have conked out. To placate the situation and due to record-high poppy culti- no or little share for rehabilitation Recently, Singapore named boost coordination among the rel- Email: [email protected] vation. The increase in opium centers. The health ministry can Jackie Chan, a Chinese film actor evant governmental departments, production is turning the war-torn rehabilitate only 35,000 addicts and director, as the first anti-nar- the country direly needs someone www.afghanistantimes.af country into a narco-state. In annually. There are several for- cotics ambassador in a bid to keep of the Chan s caliber to speak 2014, farmers utilized 224,000 eign-funded treatment facilities, the younger generation away from against illicit drugs. Strengthening Photojournalist: M. Sadiq Yusufi hectares for poppy cultivation. In but their efforts go in vain when drugs. collaboration is essential to break- Helmand Province alone poppy addicts march toward drug sellers He has done so in China since ing production and supply lines. Advisory editorial board was cultivated on 41,089 hectares. after rehabilitation. A huge chunk 2009. As there are more drug ad- The readiness of the Chinese ac- According to the UN Office Saduddin Shpoon, Dr. Sharif Fayez, Dr. Sultana Parvanta, Dr. Sharifa Sharif, on Drugs and Crime, the govern- ment-led poppy eradication Dr. Omar Zakhilwal, Setara Delawari, Ahmad Takal drives decreased by 63 percent in 2014 and opium yield amounted Graphic-Designers: to 28.7 kilograms per hectare. Nearly, 6,400 tons of opium Mansoor Faizy and Edriss Akbari was produced last year, a 17 per- Marketing & Advertising: cent increase over 2013. Southern, western and eastern provinces Mohammad Parwiz Arian, 0708954626, 0778894038 produced 98 percent of the na- tion s opium, because the poppy Mailing address: P.O. Box: 371, Kabul, Afghanistan growers were encouraged and Our Bank Accounts: Azizi Bank: 000101100258091 / 000101200895656 supported by the militants who control many areas there. Printed at Afghanistan Times Printing Press The poppy eradication drives in the spring cost 13 lives, mostly security personnel, and millions of dollars, but still couldn t make The constitution says Afghanistan a poppy-free coun- try. Insecurity has been a good excuse for even UN officials to Article 140: stay away from poppy fields. Councils shall be established to organize activities as well as attain active participation of the people in As opiates are a lucrative provincial administrations in districts and in villages, in accordance with the provisions of the law. Local source of income for the militants residents shall elect members of these councils for three years through free, general, secret as well as and international drug lords, they direct elections. Participation of nomads in these local councils shall be regulated in accordance with the will never bow down to the anti- provisions of the law. narcotics forces. The surge in the production side is now a regional and global threat. Unfortunately, there is a lot of talk, but little ef- Editorial fort being made to clamp down on opium producers. To encourage demand, drug sellers have swelled on the streets. The number of addicts in Afghan- of the population is consuming the dicts in Afghanistan due to mas- tor will indeed prove a push to istan is on the rise. Estimates say opium produced in the country. sive-scale opium production, the improve Afghan-Sino ties further. The poor state of the poor there were 1.6 million drug addicts The government has no solu- Afghan government could use the Afghan officials have carved between 2012 and 2013, but Af- tion. Both the international com- help of the Chinese film star. out different strategies in the past, ghanistan s Ministry of Health munity and Afghan authorities are Chan s rich experience being but they proved ineffective. Thus, tribesmen in Pakistan recently announced that a stagger- miles apart from agreeing on a joint an anti-drug ambassador could be there is need for a new strategy. ing 3 million Afghans are drug ad- mechanism. Legions of drugs traf- of great use for the troubled Af- The appointment of an anti-drug dicts. In other words, 11 percent fickers and addicts can be seen ghans. He can advise the Afghan ambassador may be a good one. Hundreds of thousands of tribesmen displaced by anti-Taliban military op- of the total population is addict- everywhere. The situation is get- youth to stop killing themselves (Global Times) erations in the tribal belt, bordering Afghanistan, desperately wish to repa- ed to drugs. In rural areas, the ad- ting out of control, because the slowly with opiates, especially at The author writes on securi- diction rate is three times higher use of force against addicts is not the time when the country needs ty, terrorism and defense. triate to their respective areas, but there are too many buts. The first one is than urban parts of the country. a viable option to bring them back them. Chan is highly revered by [email protected]. Follow despite too huge claims by Pakistan s security establishment regarding se- The easy availability of drugs af- to normal life. Therefore, there is young Afghans, hence, his advice him at Twitter at @nadeemalizai curity gains situation in the tribal belt still remains shaky. Resultantly, Paki- stan s army struck a peace deal with a pro-Pakistan militant leader, Maulvi Halim, who replaced Hafiz Gulbahadar in North Waziristan. Such peace deals For displaced Pakistanis have already failed. On top of that the tribesmen who wish to return home will have to agree to fight the militants themselves. This is obligatory. Here, Pakistan army is trying to transfer the war to the tribesmen, who were first to return home: Fight the Taliban disarmed by the military as at that moment the policy of the government PESHAWAR: Hundreds of thou- North Waziristan s tribal alliance itants refuge, and must report on government that has sought to was to accommodate the militants in the tribal belt. The move was aimed to sands of Pakistanis displaced by and is desperate to go home. the movements of the enemy . pin the blame on tribes, rather support proxy war in Afghanistan. Now the tribesmen will be armed on their anti-Taliban military operations But we have no information Were a tribe to fail in the respon- than looking inwards to its own in tribal areas wish only to about what exactly is happen- sibilities laid out in pledge, the mandarins, spies and soldiers. return against the same militants. It clearly indicates these hapless tribes- return home but first they have ing there on the ground. The contract says the government It is blaming the tribesmen men are just like pawns on the great chessboard of Pakistan s regional secu- to agree to fight the militants authorities say 67,000 homes in will be free to conduct any op- for whatever has happened in themselves. It s social engineer- the tribal belt have been com- eration in that area . The bur- tribal areas, and specially in rity game. On the surface of the earth, there is no other country and army ing unheard of in the recent war pletely destroyed, but there has den of consequences of any loss- North Waziristan, for the last that ask its civilians to fight against militants themselves. The first and prime on terror: displace an entire pop- been no independent assessment es in such operations will be on eight to nine years, says Saiful- ulation, fight the insurgents who of the scale of the damage. Paki- the tribe and the tribe will have lah Khan Mehsud, director of duty of a government is to protect the people. If it lacks that capacity, it remain, then bring back those stan has asked the international no right to ask for any compen- the FATA Research Centre, an loses the legitimacy to rule. However, the tale of these displaced tribesmen uprooted and charge them with community for $800 million to sation from the government, the independent organisation. keeping the militants at bay. rebuild and rehabilitate the document says. Tribal leaders It is putting the blame of families is shocking. In their case, the government and the army have not And this time, North tribal areas where two million have bristled at the notion they all of that on them. only failed but pawning their failures off on them, brazenly. They are not Waziristan s displaced have lit- people, out of a total popula- must pledge loyalty to Pakistan, Even those who sign the tle choice but to accept. June tion of 4.6 million inhabitants, noting they fought for pledge and return to North sorry for it. First, the war on terror in the tribal belt displaced an entire marks one year since the army have been displaced by the fight- their country in disputed Kash- Waziristan face myriad restric- population, now that after years of fighting between security forces and the launched an offensive in this re- ing in recent years. But since mir shortly after 1947 indepen- tions, ranging from requiring mil- militants when these tribesmen are asking for repatriation, they are told it is gion of northwest Pakistan, people were initially allowed to dence, and against Soviet forces itary approval to travel between which became a refuge for mili- return from March onwards in Afghanistan in the 1980s, be- villages, out of the tribal belt, or their duty to keep the militants at bay. The hapless tribesmen have no other tants after the Afghan Taliban triggering a process that will be fore having to sacrifice to import goods. choice but to say yes . Where is the international community? Where is was driven from power across spread out over two years as their homes for the recent offen- We now need a permit to the border. On the Taliban s fall areas are cleared by the military sive. The government is seek- import oranges, quips one the United States, a self-proclaimed global policeman and flag-bearer of in 2001, tribal chiefs welcomed less than 300 families have re- ing support from us but what North Waziristan resident. human rights? Where is the Human Rights Watch? And where is the United them with open arms, or were turned to North Waziristan. In- type of support? asks tribal For those in the camps, the forced to, transforming the area deed, to return at all, residents leader Malik Niaz Khan. We choice to return to their home- Nations? Why is there no global voice of concerns on what is happening into a hub for the global militant must sign a code of conduct have no means to defend our- land in the tribal areas wheth- with these tribesmen? Why are they treated as subhuman? Thousands of movement, hosting fighters from which has left many Waziris an- selves, it is the government that er it be North Waziristan or else- al Qaeda, the Haqqani network gry. The code, officially titled a should protect us. Others com- where remains a daunting one. houses have been reduced to rubbles, markets, schools, and hospitals de- and European apprentice mili- social contract , prescribes plain that elsewhere in We are afraid to return, stroyed. If this was to happen at the end where the displaced families will be tants, targeted by US drone that tribes affirm their loyal- the country are not being re- admits Jan Badshah, who is orig- strikes. But in launching their ty to Pakistan and recognise quired to sign any such docu- inally from the Khyber tribal asked to fight against the militants themselves then why were they first dis- operation last year, the army their responsibility for the ment. Has the government area, which has also been sub- armed against militants and why were they displaced and why they must do pushed out hundreds of thou- proliferation of insurgents in the asked for these guarantees from ject to an army offensive. sands of ordinary Wazirs, who area in the past decade. Tribes people in Balochistan, in Kara- There was shelling, fight- the job of the military? Which law of the world allows a government to ask today live in camps, with rela- are required to pledge that they chi and elsewhere? says Mo- ing, people dying, he says, sit- its people to fight for their protection on their own? Moreover, terrorism tives, or in rented hovels. will not allow any terrorists, hammad Malik Noor, another ting in a tent transformed into a We know that everything internal or external, to use the tribal chief. We cannot be fault- sauna by the scorching sun. has been in Karachi. And it has been hitting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Balochistan there is destroyed: the bazaars, land of North Waziristan for ter- ed for anything so why do they We will stay here as long as is also bleeding of terrorism and Punjab has also seen some terror attacks. the houses, the schools and the rorism , are obliged to form 40- ask for this guarantee? the war is continuing, he con- religious seminaries, says Ma- man militias known as the According to one research- tinues. God only knows when But no government body has asked the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kara- lik Khan Marjan, who heads Qoomi Salweeshi to deny mil- er, the contract is evidence of a it will end. chi, Punjab or Balochistan to be up in arms against the militants as they will never do this job because they know it is not their job rather the job of Pakistan s army and a number of other defense forces. Then why the gov- ernment of Pakistan is treating the tribesmen with so much discrimination. And if the world s sixth or seventh largest army cannot tame militancy in the tribal belt, how these poor tribesmen could do this job well than the

trained and well-equipped military? Consider the presence of army in the s

d tribal, the force and its leadership, for obvious reason, is accused of many Domestic products o

of the problems in the area, but privately as no tribesman can dare to open go

his mouth in public against what Pakistan s army has been doing there. The d e

t tribesmen know that Pakistan s army has conspired with militants against Afghanistan r o

the poor tribesmen and whenever someone speaks against the military-mil- p

m itant collusion, he is killed. I Subscription Rates Categories Fee Afghanistan Times Annual Afg: 3600 at your door step For fast delivery service Six Months Afg: 1800 Afghanistan Times seeks the names, addresses of your International Organization $200 per year organizations and the number of copies you want. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.

TUESDAY .MAY 19 , 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Balancing China and the realist is still in flux, but Blackwill and Tellis see it as preordained. The road to war Realist Road to War What is so frus- trating, and perhaps paradoxical, The argument for balancing against China rests on about the growing chorus singing some questionable assumptions. that the U.S. should lead a balanc- ing coalition against China is that it By Alexander Lacasse By Jie Dalei and Jared McKinney fits flawlessly into prominent po- litical science explanations for how major war occurs. According to the The ancient oasis city of Palmyra, merica s relationship with grand strategy vis-à-vis China, respected empirical scholarship of sitting in the desert to the north- the People s Republic of their proposal is not strategic. John Vasquez, for example, war is east of Damascus in central Syria, AChina began with contain- They argue, the United States the outcome of a process, not a ran- was once a major trade hub be- ment in 1949: The victory of should become more strategically dom or inexplicable event. Nations tween the Roman Empire and Per- Mao s communist forces in Chi- proactive in meeting the Chinese go down a road to war by mak- sia, India, and China. Today the na s civil war shocked Americans challenge to U.S. interests and less ing certain specific decisions. Each ruins of the city serve as a remind- and created a fearful backlash of preoccupied with how this more decision makes war more likely and er of the diverse spread of culture the monolithic advance of global robust U.S. approach might be reinforces the logic of conflict. Once and religion that once blanketed the communism. In 1972, the United evaluated in Beijing (emphasis you travel down this road for a Middle East. The 2,000-year-old States changed its policy of con- added). However, strategy in its while, war becomes difficult to pre- city is designated as a World Her- taining China and instead joined a essence is about making decisions vent and easy to cause. itage site, by the United Nations quasi-alliance with it against the in a setting of interdependent According to Vasquez, the re- Educational, Scientific and Cultur- much more dangerous Soviet choice: i.e. the success (or failure) alist road to war begins with a dis- al Organisation (UNESCO). But Union. When the Soviet Union of a strategy hinges upon how pute, typically over territory. The there s growing concern about the collapsed in 1989, the U.S.-China others react and respond. This is U.S. has no direct territorial dis- fate of this treasure. Syrian state- relationship nonetheless remained why renowned strategist Edward putes with China, but by interven- run media, SANA, reported a re- generally positive, sustained by Luttwak has pointed out that ing in the disputes of others (from cent outbreak in fighting between China s relative liberalization, im- strategy always has a paradoxical the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands in the the Syrian government forces and mense economic growth, and logic. Or as Lawrence Freedman East China Sea to Taiwan and the Daesh fighters in and around the America s distraction with inter- has recently argued in his magnum rocks of the South China Sea), this modern Syrian town of Tadmur, minable wars in the Middle opus, strategy is a dialectical pro- first condition is met. Next, one within a few hundred meters of East.Now, in 2015, it is increas- cess, not a static one. The adver- state balances against the other ancient Palmyra. The clashes have ingly appearing as if T.S. Eliot was sary, we all should know, gets a by building up its military and form- raised concern from historians and right and that What we call the vote, or, if we re playing weiqi, a ing or strengthening regional adver- international observers that Daesh beginning is often the end. turn, too. A U.S. grand strategy sarial alliances. The justification for could demolish another ancient Washington is giving up on toward China that does not seri- this step along the road to war can relic, reports CNN. The site has Beijing becoming a stakeholder in ously consider China s likely re- vary, but it generally involves the already suffered four years of con- the present global order, sponse can only bet on luck to language of deterrence, standing up flict, it suffered from looting and the Financial Times reports. Chi- bring it success. to bullying, peace through strength, represents an irreplaceable trea- na is losing Washington, To be fair, toward the end of or in the case of Blackwill and Tel- sure for the Syrian people and for declares Newsweek. China has their report, Blackwill and Tellis lis, maintaining American primacy. the world, UNSECO Director- been weaponized in U.S. domes- do briefly discuss China s likely Advocates of this stage two bal- General Irina Bokova said in a tic politics, notes the National responses. Oddly enough, they ancing tend not to peer too intent- statement. I appeal to all parties Interest. Calls to punish China simply assume that China will ly at the future, preferring to com- to protect Palmyra and make ev- grow, affirms Bloomberg. Presi- choose to continue cooperation fortably assume their nation s ery effort to prevent its destruc- dent Xi Jinping is moving in the with the U.S. on a wide range of stronger military position will tion. Syria Direct reported that other direction, (away) from [the] issues. But why assume China s dampen the dispute in question. the Assad regime considers Tad- constructive engagement of Chi- response to be so mild if the U.S. But this is not what typically hap- mur (and therefore, Palmyra) to na s last two presidents, asserts is blatantly and aggressively pens. Instead, the state balanced be the front line against ISIS oper- the chairman of the House Com- working to isolate it and keep it against responds with its own mil- ating in the eastern part of the mittee on Foreign Affairs sub- down? Here you see a much nic- itary buildup, which seeks to can- country. The town is viewed as committee on Asia and the Pacif- er China, one that would not act cel out the first state s relative having strategic importance be- ic. It is in this context that two in ways that damage its policy gains. Following America s fire- cause of the nearby Shaer gas prominent American scholars and purposes and its reputation works show in Iraq in 1991 and fields, which sustains the Syrian- diplomats have written a primer around Asia. This image stands threatening display of force against controlled territory s electrical on how the U.S. should revise its in sharp contrast to the other Chi- China during the 1996 Taiwan grid. If Palmyra were to fall, Daesh grand strategy to keep a rising na that throughout the rest of the Straits Crisis, the Chinese govern- would have direct access to Dam- China down, in order to maintain report is portrayed as bullying its ment has pursued rapid military ascus and Homs via the highway. American primacy in Asia and neighbors and trying to replace modernization for just this reason. Over the course of Daesh s mili- beyond. For years, in fact, prom- U.S. hegemony. As Australian Balancing and counterbalancing, in tary offensive across parts of Iraq inent scholars such as John scholar Hugh White astutely ob- turn, result in three new elements and Syria, they have demonstrat- Mearsheimer of the University of serves, their prescriptions as- of competition: increasing polariza- ed little regard for the ancient cit- Chicago have called for Ameri- sume what their analysis dis- tion e.g., other states in the re- ies and artifacts in the territory the ca to balance against a rising Chi- proves: that China is not really gion are increasingly forced to group has come to control. In Syr- na. They have made this appeal serious about challenging US pri- choose between America or China ia, one of the major relics that was according to the abstract structur- macy after all. Blackwill and Tellis arms races, and deepening rival- damaged over the course of the war al logic of international relations insist, Washington simply can- ry. In this context, both sides are was the 11th century crusader cas- theory. The logic goes like this: not have it both ways to accom- likely to make threats or demon- tle Crac des Chevaliers when the American military primacy should modate Chinese concerns regard- strations of resolve in order to walls were damaged by regime air- be maintained at all costs, China s ing U.S. power projection into strengthen the credibility of their strikes in 2013. And after four rise threatens this primacy, so the Asia through strategic reassur- deterrent or demonstrate the gravi- years of brutal conflict many of U.S. should work to balance ance and at the same time to pro- ty of their position. From such ac- ancient Syria s historical sites have against or, broadly, contain a mote and defend U.S. vital nation- tions crises develop. In the U.S.- suffered some kind of damage rising China by surrounding it with al interests in this vast region. China relationship the most seri- whether it is intentional or not. In powerful American military capa- Yet they do not explain why they ous of these was the 2001 EP-3 March, the United Nations issued bilities, creating NATO-like ad- can have it both ways to bal- Incident in which Chinese and a statement that said Syria s rich versarial alliances, isolating it eco- ance against China while simulta- American military planes collided, tapestry of cultural heritage is be- nomically, and, most recently, im- neously expecting Chinese diplo- but since then a whole series of in- ing ripped to shreds. However, posing costs when it does things matic cooperation. cidents has occurred between Chi- much more documented destruc- the U.S. does not like. Indeed, a concerted American nese and American naval forces tion of historical sites and artifacts library, both home to numerous get a shock out of the world com- This isn t just about Middle The newest primer, Revising effort to either impose costs or for example, the 2009 Impeccable at the hands of Daesh has taken ancient artifacts. So why is the munity. They depend on the Eastern history, these are the well- U.S. Grand Strategy Toward Chi- contain Chinese power today incident in which a collection of Chi- place in Iraq. These included the group so bent on destroying his- sugar rush that comes from stag- springs of the entire global cul- na, written by Robert D. Black- would reinforce China s deepest nese vessels harassed the U.S. Navy Assyrian cities of Nimrud and torical artifacts? British historian ing atrocities and they know that ture. Mesopotamia, Iraq, Syria, will and Ashley J. Tellis and pub- fears and prove Chinese hawks surveillance ship Impeccable as it Khorsabad; the Parthian city of and novelist Tom Holland argues one way to get Western attention this is the wellspring of global lished by the prestigious New were correct all along, provoking was gathering intelligence off the Hatra, and the Prophet Jonah s that Daesh desires to cleanse the is to destroy ruins that have a civilisation. It really couldn t be York-based Council on Foreign the security dilemma in a most coast of Hainan Island. These cri- tomb. This is also on top of de- region of any sign of its diverse particular place in the heart of the higher stakes in terms of conser- Relations, rehashes all of these aggressive way. In response to the ses, even when resolved peaceful- stroying the Mosul museum and religious past, and also simply to entire world, Holland told CNN. vation. offensive realist prescriptions now strengthened hawks, and ly, vindicate the hawks of both (summarized by The possibly to an outraged public, sides, reinforcing visions of the oth- Diplomat here), but with one dif- perhaps China would significant- er s aggressiveness and, even more tion of dissident op-ed writers. seeking political party. In its ini- ference: It does not own up to the ly increase its defense spending Government-sector advertising is tial terms of office, the AKP ren- importantly, granting them addi- TRAVAILS IN TURKEY logic of its position. Treating Chi- something it is capable of doing tional influence among decision withheld from critical media. Yet, dered valuable services. There was na according to the report s rec- as it currently spends only half of BY JAVED JABBAR chief public prosecutor questioned because of its credibility and cour- a re-assertion of civil, political su- makers. This stage of the process ommendation would not force it what the U.S. spends as a per- has not yet been reached in the U.S., the power of the judges of that age of conviction, the Zaman me- premacy to curb militarist adven- to meekly back down, nor would centage of GDP. Perhaps it would A RECENT visit to friendly, beau- particular court to order the re- dia group which includes the En- turism. Reconciliation was initiat- but the 2016 presidential election, it result in a simple realignment of begin building submarines like in which every contender other than tiful Turkey revives awareness of lease. Meanwhile, to reinforce the glish daily, Today s Zaman, con- ed with the Kurds. Negotiations the balance of power. Instead, sausages. Perhaps it would be- how close are the bonds with Pa- prosecutor s stance, the two judg- tinues to enjoy large, loyal audi- for entry into the European Union Rand Paul is likely to take a more it would create a new, volatile, gin a massive nuclear build up to hawkish position on China than kistan. Alas, one also realises there es were immediately suspended ences. In public discourse, a recur- were conducted with self-confi- zero-sum environment in which deter the U.S., starting an arms is one subject in which the two and investigations ordered into ring strain is vilification of Mr dence. A moderate conservatism the U.S. and China would become race reminiscent of the Cold War. President Barack Obama has, fraternal nations should not share their own conduct! President Er- Gulen and his affiliates, or others defined a distinct new strand with- would provide a perfect opportu- rivals, the region would become Or perhaps in response Chi- nity for such a new resolution a common feature ie the abysmal- dogan also contributed to the con- who condemn the ruling party. An out completely destroying secular polarized, arms races would flour- na would pursue external balanc- ly low ranking of both in the 2015 troversy with adverse remarks environment of intimidation is be- values. But in the past three years, ish, and, inevitably, crises would ing via formal military alliances, against compromise to congeal, World Press Freedom Index. Tur- about dissidents. Sixty-two police ing fostered as the country heads a dangerous authoritarianism has perhaps concluding with the ap- ensue. Whether these crises would and here Russia is the most prom- pointment of scholars like Black- key is placed at 149 out of 180 officers arrested earlier for alleg- toward parliamentary polls next rapidly emerged. A nexus with ex- produce war no one can know, but ising candidate. There are signifi- countries. Pakistan goes even low- edly conspiring to unjustifiably month. This regression becomes tremists in Syria is also apparent. the creation of such an environ- cant barriers to a Sino-Russian al- will and Tellis to top government er, but not too far away at 159. defame government ministers and the more unfortunate because the These new tendencies imperil the posts. In the final stage on the path ment is certain to make war far liance including mutual distrust, to war, a new crisis develops call However, in the Abuses part of officials with corruption charges, Hizmet Movement is dedicated to societal freedom and stability of more likely. This is where bal- bitter historical memories, weak the score, the two countries are were also ordered to be freed by values of interfaith dialogue, plu- Turkey, beyond media freedom it Senkaku, Scarborough, or a South ancing against China necessarily economic ties, China s non-align- China Sea ADIZ neither side virtually in the same single rank. the same two judges. Only to be ralism and peace. The movement alone. ends. John Mearsheimer has forth- ment policy, and the two-nations Turkey at 64.07, Pakistan at denied release on the same grounds is non-partisan. Nor does it seek Postscript: Back to the Tur- rightly acknowledged this to be competition for influence in Cen- backs down as opinions of hawks 64.91. While Turkey has a strong as Mr Karaca. This process of political power. There is an ex- key-Pakistan equation. Or the lack now dominate the intellectual deci- the case, leading him to predict tral Asia. But the proper strategic sion-making process, and war is the tendency to coerce or imprison persecution of some sections of traordinary commitment to philan- of it. In the Human Development that the U.S. and China will fall imperative could overcome all critical journalists and media pro- media and police officers com- thropy and excellence in education. Index for 2014, Turkey achieves outcome. A version of this process into conflict. Blackwill and Tellis such obstacles. Already China and happened in 1914. It is not un- prietors, Pakistan s front-line jour- menced in 2013 when details This is evident in the hundreds of the 69th position in 187 countries. and indeed, many Russia have settled all of their nalists such as reporters, (a cou- emerged of investigations into cor- schools, centres, colleges and uni- This is way above Pakistan at 146. thinkable that it would happen in other prominent advocates of bal- long-standing border disputes 2015. Suicide for Fear of Death ple of TV) anchors and camera- ruption in high places. There is also versities operated by Hizmet in But we make up for all this in the ancing China instead sustain a and Russia is pivoting its econ- men are either killed outright or are a larger context. Critical media, Turkey and in over 150 overseas Happy Planet Index of 2012. Pa- The way to avoid a U.S.-Chi- fiction that the U.S. can walk omy towards Asia, The Econo- na conflict is to step off the road to injured by mostly untraced ele- opposition leaders, independent- countries. In Pakistan, there are 25 kistan is at 16 out 151 (India strug- down the realist road to war with- mist reports. Whether China and ments, or threatened with violence. minded police officers all are Pak-Turk schools imparting a high gles to make it to 32). With a liter- war. The first step off this road out making great power politics Russia are given the incentive to should be the admission that a con- The term missing persons with seen as part of a conspiracy against quality of education with well-qual- acy level of over 90pc, Turkey tragic. This is mistaken and dan- pivot further toward one anoth- so tragic a meaning linked to the stability and security of Tur- ified teachers from Turkey. A manages only a reluctant smile at certed effort to balance against or gerous. The Balance China Argu- er and thus shake the founda- contain China is a sure recipe for Balochistan becomes a less tragic key. The leadership of the ruling marked feature of individuals as- number 44. There are statistics, ment According to Blackwill and tion of American primacy is in yet highly disturbing term in Tur- AKP seems to have firmly decid- sociated with Mr Gulen is their there are indices and then there Tellis, the preeminent objective of large part up to the U.S. Balanc- inviting a forcible response from key. One knows exactly where the ed to portray the eminent Turkish humanism and humility. Perhaps are ambivalent realities. The writ- Beijing and bringing conflict closer the U.S. should be to maintain, ing can work both ways. In sum: to the region. The prescriptions of missing person is! But one also philosopher, Fethullah Gulen this very aspect of unwavering al- er is a former senator and federal and increase, its power. With this There is considerable uncertainty knows that neither the judicial sys- (who resides in Pennsylvania) and truism causes unease in a power- minister of information. Blackwill and Tellis are a call for as their premise, they deduce that regarding how precisely China suicide for fear of death, or more tem nor the executive structure is all those associated with him in the growing Chinese power threatens would respond hence the vague- willing to end the arbitrary jailing Hizmet Movement or any other specifically, they risk suicide for the U.S. In response, the U.S. ness of this section but one thing fear of a world in which the U.S. is of journalists. Critical media, op- of the several initiatives and enter- LETTER TO THE EDITOR should balance against China in all can be counted on: China would position leaders, independent- prises including media not the dominant power. But this the traditional ways: Exclude it act much more forcibly than fear is misplaced. minded police officers all are launched by Mr Gulen, as being from economic pacts, restrict its many, including Blackwill and seen as part of a conspiracy against antithetical to the national inter- Help displaced fami- lies There is good news and bad technology imports, and threaten Tellis, seem to expect. More fun- news for analysts who fear Chi- the security of Turkey. This writ- est. For instance, Prime Minister Reports on Sunday said Around 3,000 families have been displaced it by surrounding it with power- damentally, the authors have an er came face-to-missing-face on a Ahmet Davutoglu told a public due to insecurity in parts of northern Jawzjan province. They fam- na s rise. The bad news is that ful U.S. military forces and strong unsound view of China s grand whether China will rise or not ulti- visit to the head office of the pop- rally within hours of the decision ilies are residents of Aqcha district. They have left their houses as U.S. allies. The way to respond strategy, which for them is crys- ular Samanyolu Broadcasting by the two judges that the judges they fear conflict between security forces and anti-government armed mately depends on its own domes- to a rising power is to try to push tal clear: to replace U.S. hegemo- tic development and much less on Group in Istanbul on April 27, received instructions on the ver- groups. It is said that the families are living in their relatives and it back where it came from. ny in Asia. Although growing as- 2015 to meet its CEO, Mr Hi- dict a week earlier from Pennsyl- friends houses and some of them are living under tents. what others do. To use one of Jo- Blackwill and Tellis are not sertiveness in some aspects of seph Nye s favorite phrases, only dayet Karaca. Warmly welcomed vania . Mr Gulen s lawyers have It is not the first time that people are being displaced in parts of particularly interested in the dis- Chinese foreign policy has unset- by his colleagues and conducted filed both a civil suit and a criminal the country, particularly in the northern provinces. They have not China can contain China. The good tinctive or characteristic qualities tled certain Asian countries and news is that even without U.S. pri- to his office room, one saw the complaint against the prime min- been helped yet. They have received a number of aid packages which of a rising China, because it is lent some validity to this inter- empty chair behind his desk. Ar- ister for making unfounded accu- is not sufficient. the structure of the international pretation, it is premature to con- macy in Asia, it would still be very rested in December 2014 for alleg- sations. Conversations with prom- Concerned authorities and organizations are suggested to help difficult, and most likely impossi- system that dictates their re- clude that China is actually seek- ble, for China to dominate the re- edly projecting content in a TV inent editors, columnists and citi- the displaced families. The families should be provided shelter and sponse. They write: Although ing to dominate the region. Ac- soap opera episode many months zens reinforced the view that about other facilities until they return to their homes. gion given the presence of multiple Chinese behavior may be nor- cording to a recent survey of major powers, nuclear weapons, earlier that allegedly promoted ter- 70pc of Turkey s privately owned mal for a rising nation, that does Asian strategic elites done by the print and electronic media have and the high tide of nationalism. To rorist-linked organisations, the Letter to editor will be edited for policy, not diminish China s overall neg- Center for Strategic and Interna- CEO is unable to return to his desk become virtually state-controlled. ative impact on the balance of tional Studies, although only 11 put it another way, Blackwill and Coercive pressure is applied to ter- content and clarity. All letters must have the Tellis report calls for expending despite two judges of a senior court writer s name and address. You may send power in the vast Indo-Pacific re- percent of Chinese respondents ordering his immediate release two minate the services of outspoken gion; nor does it reduce the crucial favored a U.S.-led regional order, enormous resources and running days before our visit. Reason: the journalists or discontinue publica- your letters to: [email protected] grave risks to prevent something requirement for Washington to a similarly small number (17 per- that is not likely to happen. Need- develop policies that meet this cent) wanted a Sino-centric order. less to say, this does not sound like challenge of the rise of Chinese More than 40 percent desired to a very auspicious revision to U.S. power and thwart Beijing s objec- see a new community of nations grand strategy. Disclaimer: tive to systematically undermine based on strengthened multilater- Jie Dalei is an assistant pro- American strategic primacy in al institutions and cooperation. fessor at the School of Internation- Asia. There is, therefore, really Moreover, more than half of Chi- al Studies of Peking University. The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the author(s) only one solution: balance China. nese respondents expect to see Jared McKinney is a dual-degree China s Probable Response continued U.S. leadership in Asia graduate student at Peking Univer- and do not reflect the views or opinions of the Afghanistan Times. While Blackwill and Tellis do over the next decade. In short, sity and the London School of Eco- indeed advance an alternative China s future strategic orientation nomics. (Courtesy: The Diplomat) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Surviving the perils of a Mediterranean boat crossing Inhumane conditions endured by migrants at the hands of The kafala (sponsorship) system that the Labor Ministry is using smugglers have become a common narrative in Sicily. for the recruitment and employ- CATANIA: Walking slowly and We speak to them in Italian, En- ment of expatriates is replete with uncertainly down a ramp, clutch- glish, French, and have standard human rights violations, the Na- ing onto the handrail as she goes, a phrases in Arabic." Communica- tional Society for Human Rights heavily pregnant woman takes her tion is key at every stage of the (NSHR) has said in a report. first step onto Italian soil. She is migrants' journey to Italy, with in- There are 13 loopholes in the followed by seven more pregnant terpreters also standing at the Cat- system that were behind the com- women and 600 other people dis- ania portside. Waiting with them plaints the society has been receiv- embarking from the HMS Bul- is Francine Uenuma, a spokes- ing since its establishment in wark, a British naval ship that ear- woman at Save the Children, who 2004, the society told Makkah lier this month began a mission said it is even necessary to let mi- newspaper. saving boat migrants in the Medi- nors know which country there are According to the report, about terranean Sea. The UK's move was in. "We have a cultural mediator 67.8 percent of labor issues the a response to the deaths of an esti- who gives them a card which has a society had dealt with were com- mated 800 migrants in a single ship- number they can call, which goes plaints by expatriates against their wreck last month, drawing atten- to us. It also says what their rights Saudi kafeels (sponsors). tion to the growing humanitarian are and sometimes it's very basic; The society said the various crisis on Europe's shores. As the 'You are in Italy,'" she said. Escap- labor issues it was notified about latest wave of boat migrants dis- ing hardship While the number of during 2014 constituted about 6 embark in Catania, across the city arrivals to Italy this year remains percent of all the cases it had con- prosecutors are investigating those relatively stable compared to the sidered. The society listed the fol- allegedly responsible for the recent same period in 2014, Uenuma said lowing violations as a result of the drownings. They have accused a there is a worrying increase in the kafala system: Tunisian of being at the helm of percentage of unaccompanied mi- Kafeels keeping workers the ship, allegedly aided by a Syr- nors. The largest proportion of passports until they are about to ian. The Tunisian's family has de- children arriving alone come from go out on exit/re-entry visa. In this nied he was the captain of the Eritrea, Somalia, and Nigeria hav- case, the kafeel will exchange the doomed vessel. Announcing the ing often spent months travelling passport with the residence (iqa- end of preliminary investigations to Libya before getting on a boat. ma) card. This is an illegal measure on Friday, prosecutors said survi- Whether minors or adults, migrants that the kafeel is using to prevent vors claimed the two had tried un- are often fleeing extreme poverty, the worker from traveling or es- successfully to cram even more instability or conflict in their home caping, said the NSHR. people onto the unstable boat. countries. Syrians escaping their Kafeels making workers do Hungry and vulnerable Such dan- country's civil war make up a siz- jobs other than the ones they were gerous conditions endured by mi- able number and are thought of as originally recruited to carry out. grants at the hands of smugglers relatively wealthy, with smugglers Physical and verbal violence Some clauses in the system only to trade in them and make Islamic teachings that prevent in- istry. Some kafeels go around the have become a common narrative demanding significantly larger fees by some kafeels against their work- are violating the regulations pre- more money because they have no justices to others and their perse- system by releasing their workers among migrants arriving in Sicily. for their passage. Prices for a place ers in addition to maltreatment. venting human trafficking. jobs for them. cution, said the society. to work for other employers. Those disembarking from the on a boat vary significantly, often Asking the expatriates to pay A number of kafeels are wast- Non-payment or delaying of Labor offices are delaying The report also said some ka- HMS Bulwark last week said they depending on a person's nationali- monthly or annual fees to the kaf- ing the time of some government salaries, which is a gross violation consideration of complaints, caus- feels and employers are complain- had run out of food and water be- ty and the type of boat, with mi- eels without any justification. departments with routine inquir- of labor laws. ing harm to workers and their de- ing without justification about the fore being rescued. As a result they grants commonly saying they paid Preventing workers from ex- ies related to visa issuance, docu- Not giving the workers cop- pendents. Subsequently, expatri- behavior of their sponsored expa- arrived in a vulnerable condition between $1,000 and $2,000 - and ercising some of their civil rights ment authentication, approvals and ies of their work contracts so they ates will remain without any triates including unethical conduct, and were quickly confronted with an extra fee for a life jacket. Smug- such as marriage or visiting rela- informing them about huroob (run- know their rights and duties. This source of income and will be ille- theft, huroob attempts and slack- a parade of people on the Catania glers normally use rubber dinghies tives or friends without the ap- away workers) cases. is also against labor laws. gally staying in the country be- ness in performing their duties. portside, including medics and var- or barely seaworthy fishing boats proval of the kafeels. Some kaf- The spread of the phenome- The system gives the kafeels cause they have no renewed iqa- This article was first published ious Italian police forces. In what for their trade, relying on rescuers eels have misused this power giv- non of work visa traders. Some expanded rights and privileges that mas. This will subject them to in the Saudi Gazette on May 18, has become a near-daily routine on to come to their aid as they near en to them under the system. Saudis recruit foreign manpower they may abuse. This is against punishment by the Interior Min- 2015. the Italian island, migrants are giv- Italy. Growing instability in Lib- en medical assistance, photo- ya has meant the smugglers' dan- graphed and identified before be- gerous gamble has not stopped ing transferred to immigration cen- demand, but it has grave human tres. Mara Brasile [Rosie Scam- costs. So far this year about 1,800 Cracking down on Spain s Basque media mell] Mara Brasile, a volunteer migrants are thought to have with the Italian Red Cross, said drowned in the Mediterranean, ings of Ardi Beltza magazine in when the European Court of Hu- ea, president of Basque PEN, told erandi of the police, "often respon- after two years working with mi- prompting global calls for more Basque journalists 2001 and Egunkaria in 2003, the man Rights ordered the Spanish Al Jazeera. Basque PEN is the sible for attacks against protesters grants she still becomes emotional action to be taken. Italy's appeals continue to serve only newspaper published entire- government to pay Otamendi local chapter of International PEN, and journalists over the last years." at port. "The most moving thing is for greater help began to be heard ly in Basque at that time. Torture 24,000 euros ($25,400) in damag- which holds a special consultative Borja Semper, Partido Popular definitely seeing their smiles. Be- at the EU level, months after the prison sentences for allegations Euskadi Ta Askatasu- es and expenses for failing to in- status at the UN. Urrutikoetxea parliamentarian in the Basque cause the Red Cross is a symbol country's dedicated sea rescue mis- alleged ties to the na's (ETA) violent campaign for a vestigate his torture allegations. In pointed to a "logic of war" to un- chamber, told Al Jazeera the right of protection, everyone knows sion, Mare Nostrum, came to an separate state in northern Spain a 2014 report, Amnesty Interna- derstand the media closures and to demonstrate was "sacred". The that, so they understand that we're end for lack of European support. armed group ETA. and southwestern France came in tional called on the Spanish gov- arrests. "Basic rights were curtailed controversial law "only seeks to here to help them," Brasile said. The turnaround has seen countries response to a crackdown on ernment to recognise that torture under the pretext of 'fighting ter- find the right balance between the But facilitating the arrival of hun- such as the UK send ships to per- BURGOS: Jabier Salutregi, the Basque language and culture by is "still a persistent problem" in rorism' in order to criminalise the work of the police and that of the dreds of vulnerable people at a form rescue operations, despite only newspaper director impris- Spanish dictator Francisco Fran- the country. Last month, the Unit- Basque independence movement journalists", he said, while ensur- time can take hours, and with the just months ago London refusing oned today in the European Union, co. More than 820 people have ed Nations Committee against Tor- as a whole," Urrutikoetxea said ing the media "doesn't obstruct" sheer number of Italian and inter- to fund the Italian mission - which described the current political been killed in ETA attacks over the ture raised solitary confinement, from his residence in Bilbao. Re- the work of the security forces. national agencies involved, a par- saved about 100,000 lives last year scene in Spain as a "benevolent past 40 years, mostly Spanish se- incommunicado detention, and tor- porters Without Borders is among Semper defended the closure of ticular challenge. "By now we've - by claiming it acted as a pull fac- dictatorship". Salutregi is serving curity forces. Unlike Salutregi, the ture allegations with Spanish offi- the several organisations that have Basque newspapers, saying ETA created a certain synergy," said tor to migrants. Deadly business a seven-year sentence with five director of Egunkaria, Martxelo cials. The interior ministry offi- denounced the banning of the was "a very complex structure", Brasile. "Even with the difficulties, of migrant smuggling Taking down former media colleagues after be- Otamendi, avoided a prison sen- cials said Spanish security forces Basque newspapers. Mar a Do- and "many of the headlines mir- we manage to more or less adjust." the smugglers Greater focus now ing convicted of "belonging to an tence, but he alleged he was tor- are "among the best in Europe", lores Masana, a member of the rored the ideology of the armed Bearing the brunt Out at sea, com- rests on the profiteers of the cri- armed group". "We are facing a tured during his detention. Mar- adding they conduct their work group's board in Spain, called the gang". Basque prisoner release mercial vessels are among those sis, with the EU this month an- series of laws that screw any po- txelo Otamendi [Karlos Zurutuza/ "under the most rigorous respect situation "pure censorship". "The "It may sound strange to hear directed by the Rome coordination nouncing its intention to directly litical claim or achievement, as well Al Jazeera] "I spent five days in- for the fundamental rights and the closure of these media outlets is a about journalists in prison in Spain, centre to perform rescue opera- target smugglers operating out of as any hope in the judicial sys- communicado. During the first dignity and integrity of the indi- black spot on the recent history of but I'm truly convinced it's some- tions. Although European ships Libya. Europe is currently seek- tem," Salutregi told Al Jazeera three days I was forced to stand viduals in their custody". 'Pure freedom of speech in our country. thing in full accordance with the also patrol the waters, as part of ing UN approval of its plans, from Burgos prison, 240km north up and deprived of sleep. They censorship' Teresa Toda, deputy We'd better not forget it because law," said the conservative MP. the EU's Triton mission, the Ital- which could see migrant boats de- of Madrid. Salutregi's odyssey be- would let me sit for 20 minutes director of Egin, was released in once it's established, censorship Regarding torture allegations, Sem- ian navy still carries the weight of stroyed. But with migrants facing gan in 1998 with the closure of every five hours. "I was also tor- 2013 after spending six years in knows no bounds," Masana told per said some state officials had the migration crisis. Vincenzo Pas- an increasingly desperate situation Egin, the Basque newspaper he tured with a plastic bag and I even prison. The 65-year-old insisted Al Jazeera. She noted Salutregi is "gone beyond the limits", but he cale, commander of the Bettica in Libya, frequently kept in over- was running. A week after the clo- suffered a mock execution," Ota- she was the victim of a "purely the only newspaper director im- insisted the government had ship, has worked for the Italian crowded conditions by smugglers, sure, a statement by then-presi- mendi told Al Jazeera from the political" process. "It was insane. prisoned in the EU, adding she "adopted effective policies to cor- navy for 25 years and said his work concerns have been raised about dent José Mar a Aznar of the con- editorial office of Berria, the news- You could even be a member of feared Spain may witness similar rect these irregularities". Jabier Sa- has become "evermore demand- the potential victims of EU mili- servative Partido Popular suggest- paper he leads today. Interior min- ETA unknowingly - the judge episodes after the recent passage lutregi will be freed from Burgos ing". "The work was always de- tary action. "When you've got peo- ed the Spanish government might istry officials contacted by Al knows it, but you don't," Toda told of the Citizen Security Law. 'Gag prison in October, but his release manding - on the ship it's 24 hours ple housed in these centres, we're have been behind the shutdown. Jazeera "categorically" denied that Al Jazeera. "In the thousands of law' defence On March 26, Spain's may coincide with the incarcera- - but the type of work has worried about anything that would "Did anyone think that we would Otamendi was tortured.In 2009, sheets of this legal summary, there parliament passed the Citizen Se- tion of Iraitz Salegi, a journalist changed," he said. Pascale is fre- cause any humanitarian collateral," not dare to close Egin?" Aznar had Spanish courts ruled that Egin's were no weapons, no explosives, curity Law, which can impose fines prosecuted after covering a con- quently in charge of rescue opera- said Uenuma. As world leaders dis- said at a press conference in Tur- reporting was not unlawful, but the no one had hosted anyone involved of up to 600,000 euros ($636,000) ference of Basque pro-indepen- tions with, as he put it, "people in cuss potential intervention, sea- key. Egin's closure preceded an op- decade-long gap since its closure in terrorist activities," added Toda, for certain actions such as holding dence groups in April 2013. Salegi need of help in rough seas and very rescue operations will move for- eration meant to dismantle organi- made it impossible to relaunch the saying she had "fully disconnect- demonstrations, preventing home faces 18 months in prison on charg- bad conditions". Keeping people ward, while in Sicily, smugglers sations and companies allegedly newspaper and its sister radio sta- ed" from journalism. Teresa Toda evictions, or recording the police. es of "apology for terrorism" in a calm was the greatest difficulty continue to be tackled through in- linked to the Basque armed organ- tion. The Egunkaria case was not served six years in prison [Karlos The so-called "gag law" has been trial starting later this month. Sa- Pascale said he faced: "When peo- telligence and the courts. In their isation ETA. "That was just the fully closed until last year. Ota- Zurutuza/Al Jazeera] "Egin, Ardi criticised by the United Nations legi, 24, told Al Jazeera she has ple are in difficulty, they move next move, Italian prosecutors must beginning of what would come next mendi said neither he nor his news- Beltza, and Egunkaria were grave and the Council of Europe. Masa- actively campaigned against the around in order to be seen and risk now decide whether the two al- - and what is yet to come," said paper have received any compen- violations against the freedom of na said Reporters Without Borders Citizen Security Law. But, she the ship capsizing. Vincenzo Pas- leged smugglers of the 800 migrants Salutregi. The number of Basque sation for either the moral or ma- speech in a state that should guar- has expressed "deepest concern", said, it "comes as no surprise giv- cale [Italian navy] "Above all, who died after their ship capsized members of the media to be pros- terial damage. An indemnification antee it as a member of the Euro- and called on the Spanish govern- en the long list of imprisoned [navy] personnel are close by and should face trial. ecuted climbed to 30 after the clos- of sorts came in October 2012, pean Union," Urtzi Urrutikoetx- ment to reconsider the modus op- Basque journalists". ask them to stay calm and seated. (AL JAZEERA) Drugs, migrants and rebels: Life along Darién s Gap Rugged border region between Panama and Colombia has no formal crossings, bringing an array of security challenges. YAVIZA: The border between ica-bound migrants is stretching regional Embera chief, through a ing Colombia. "They have been a the indigenous Wounaan communi- "What you see today is a huge im- ince. Leticia Pitti Lewis, 62, a Panama and Colombia is perplex- the resources of Darién - and resi- translator. "Fear is constant." In- huge help in trying to deal with ty of about 3,000 people, said para- provement," he said, noting securi- former mayor who arrived in Yavi- ingly unique. It's the meeting point dents' patience. "The people are digenous leaders Edilberto Dogi- those issues," explained Cruz. He military groups have used violence ty was better too. "A decade ago, za aged 18 to teach, said through of two countries and two conti- trying to build a wall against these rama (left) and Edilfonso Aj (right) declined to discuss any US role in against them, while narco-traffick- the danger from guerrillas was much an interpreter that the town has an nents - North and South America - pressures," said Ivan Lay, 64, the at Aj 's home in Marragant [Joe the region. The US embassy did ers try to recruit young people. "Our higher." However, the state's pres- independent spirit. She recalled an with long, connected histories of provincial director in Panama's in- Jackson/Al Jazeera] Senafront is not respond to a request for com- people have been traumatised," ence remains minimal and indigenous infamous incident in the 1980s, trade and migration. Yet it's one of terior ministry, through a transla- the state institution with the great- ment. A sniffer dog at a border po- Mepaquito said. Embera people are leaders said they feel abandoned in during the rule of Panamanian dic- the only international frontiers tor. "But the avalanche is power- est presence in Darién because lice checkpoint at Agua Frida on similarly uneasy walking jungle healthcare and industry. Through tator Manuel Noriega, when some without a pliable road across it. ful." Blessing and a curse The Panama is "an obligatory stop" for the Pan-American Highway [Joe paths at night and live in bigger vil- collaboration with NGOs, Mar- of the town's men were banished The 225km boundary, stretching Spanish conquistadors who arrived migrants and US-bound drugs, said Jackson/Al Jazeera] The com- lages for protection, explained Visei- ragant created a sustainable timber to the border for 15 months after from the Caribbean coast through here in the 16th century named the Commissioner Yadel Cruz, the sec- manders recalled Colombian intel- da Guaynora, 35, chief of Mar- export venture with a Chinese com- celebrating Colombia's July 20 In- dense mountainous jungle and area the Darién Plug - Tap n del ond in command. Traffickers use ligence alerting them that all the ragant in Comarca Embera- pany. In its first year, the business dependence Day with a parade. swamps to the Pacific Ocean, has Darién - for its impassibility. To- land, air and, increasingly, ocean men in a coastal village had disap- Wounaan, a semi-autonomous ter- generated $80,000 that went to im- Lewis noted much had changed. no formal crossings for people or day, outsiders call it the Darién routes. About 2,000kg of narcot- peared overnight. Panama's navy ritory. "The natural way of the Em- proving 98 of the village's houses, "When I came here there was noth- cargo. Foreigners require prior per- Gap: the only interruption in the ics was seized in a single haul near intercepted the group of about 50 bera is not living in such big groups," according to Francisco Guainora, ing: no electricity, no running wa- mission from Senafront - Panama's Pan-American Highway, a the Caribbean coast in March, said empty-handed on their return jour- she said. "Definitely it's a problem leader of the operation. "We're not ter, no services, transport only by border police - to access the neigh- 48,000km network of roads Cruz. Men are typically paid ney, suspected of having complet- to live so near to the border." Ivan waiting for help from the govern- river." About 2,000kg of narcot- bouring province of Darién, and stretching from Alaska to Argenti- about $500 to traverse the jungle ed a drug run. They said Senafront Lay stands at the crumbling rem- ment," he said. End of the road De- ics was seized in a single haul near any visitor must navigate numer- na. The highway ends in Yaviza with rudimentary backpacks made recognises security measures alone nants of a fort built by the Spanish spite Yaviza's distance from the bor- the Caribbean coast last month [Joe ous security checkpoints heading and restarts on Colombia's north- of vines containing up to 20kg of cannot solve the problem and edu- in 1762 [Joe Jackson/Al Jazeera] der - a two-three day, 80km journey Jackson/Al Jazeera] In the 1970s in and out. People still traverse the ern coast. Its wild character was cocaine, said Commissioner Abdi- cates young people about the per- Edilberto Dogirama, president of by boat and foot, depending on the the Inter-American Development frontier: smugglers, paramilitaries, once an asset. The lightly popu- el Lezcano of Senafront. Horses ils of joining the narcotics trade. the Embera-Wounaan General Con- season - it has the feel of a frontier Bank funded an ambitious devel- undocumented migrants, as well as lated, dense jungles and swamps saddled with hundreds of kilos have "We try to awaken the conscience gress, representing 41 regional com- town. Ramshackle wooden homes opment plan for the region, which indigenous people who call the re- kept most trade and migration to even been sent unmanned over the of people, that they are the vic- munities, said the increased pres- on stilts rise above dirt and trash. included construction of the Pan- gion home. Its remote nature and the coasts. This helped preserve border, he said. Once drugs reach tims of this but also part of the ence of Senafront had caused its own Hawkers sell cheap goods at make- American Highway to the Colom- chronic insecurity suits many of diverse wildlife, rainforest, and tra- Yaviza or other points on the Pan- solution," Cruz said. Indigenous problems. Tensions spiked over re- shift stalls on narrow dusty streets; bian border. their needs. Increasing numbers of ditions of indigenous people - such American Highway, they are hid- impact The pervasive insecurity strictive rules governing the move- men nearby drink beer amid blaring That was never completed. The undocumented migrants, from as as the Guna, Embera and Wounaan den above, below and inside vehi- of the past two decades and grow- ment of goods and heightened con- music mid-morning. Long dugout road as far as Yaviza has slowly far away as South Asia and Africa, - who straddle the border. But re- cles, in everything from gas tanks ing demand for natural resources - cerns their constitutional rights to canoes weighed down by plantains been upgraded, at the gradual ex- are traversing through the region. moteness and weak central author- to panelling, Cruz said. "Sometimes from hydro-power and timber, to autonomy were being eroded in the and other local produce dock at the pense of its isolated character. Lay, They arrive in South American ity have become a liability as armed we are surprised by how sophisti- land for growing agricultural prod- name of security, he explained. Do- port. Situated at the meeting point the province director, said the countries and risk their lives on this groups such as the FARC and lat- cated they are," he said. "The nar- ucts and transport - have altered girama said the low point came from of two rivers, it's a historical hub of town now has two university cam- perilous path, invariably headed to er traffickers arrived from Colom- cos have a lot of time to think and many aspects of life here, espe- 2005-2008, but more indigenous about 4,000 inhabitants - the major- puses, schools to 7th grade and 15 the United States. The movement bia. "The threats are totally un- are very creative." Senafront col- cially for indigenous groups. Le- were now joining Senafront's ranks ity of Colombian origin, part of past churches. of drugs, rebels, and North Amer- veiled," said Edilfonso Aj , 41, a laborates closely with neighbour- onardo Mepaquito, an official from and their policies had loosened. migrations from nearby Choc prov- (AL JAZEERA) This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES LNG sale, billing hit by legal, financial complications in Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Serious legal and financial complications continue Iran hopes its crude oil exports will could take more than 50 percent to confront marketing, sales and return to pre-sanctions levels with- of Iran's exports. Global oil prices billing of imported liquefied natu- in three months once a deal with touched 2015 highs in early May, ral gas (LNG), although the com- major powers to lift an oil embar- but are currently only around half modity hit the market about 50 go is finalized, the country's dep- the peaks of June 2014, before a days ago. Informed sources told uty oil minister said on Monday. worldwide supply glut and a deci- Dawn that public sector compa- "We hope we can come back sion by the Organization of Petro- nies in the supply chain Paki- to the export levels that we had leum Exporting countries to main- stan State Oil, SSGCL and SNG- before the sanctions," Rokneddin tain output sent crude markets PL were purchasing and import- Javadi, who is also the managing tumbling. Asked if OPEC would ing and supplying LNG to a select director of the National Iranian Oil cut output at the upcoming June 5 group of bulk consumers under ad Company, told Reuters. "Yes, 2.5 meeting, Javadi said: "I don't think (million barrels per day), around," so." Discussions on OPEC mak- hoc arrangements but without any he said, adding that this could be ing room for the return of Iranian legal cover. As a consequence, the achieved in about three months. A oil would depend on whether sanc- bulk consumers like fertiliser units recent framework deal on Iran's tions were lifted, he said. Iran has and independent power plants disputed nuclear program between repeatedly called for OPEC to cut were baffled as to how to utilise Tehran and world powers could output to support prices and says LNG imported by the private sec- see sanctions on Iran eventually that an increase of its oil produc- tor and raise invoices while the lifted if a more permanent pact is tion will not cause a price crash. It third dedicated consumer, the com- finalized by a June deadline. The expects other OPEC members to pressed natural gas (CNG) sector, sanctions have more than halved make way for extra barrels, but so is yet to enter into any binding deal Iranian oil exports since 2012 to far there is no sign that other with the public sector for its con- about 1 million bpd, mainly to OPEC members are willing to cut sumption. Also read :LNG mud- Asia. Javadi said the OPEC pro- supply. Javadi said he expected dle persists As of now, all the three ducer expected to claw back lost the oil price to rise to around $80 a sectors have resisted depositing market share in Asia. "It depends barrel by the end of 2016. "From double security to the Sui North- on market situation and price lev- a commercial point of view, today's ern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNG- el, but we will come back to the prices should be sustained and in- PL) for using LNG as the gas util- traditional trade that we had be- crease gradually," he said on the ity appeared to be moving towards fore," he said, adding that Asia sidelines of the Asia Oil and Gas Conference in Kuala Lumpur. "But it depends on the political situation and what's going on in the Middle East and Arabian countries." weighted average cost of gas after including LNG in the natural gas basket that would impact all con- sumer categories with higher gas Hedge prices. At the back of the scene KSAs enabling business environment were some players interested more in coal-based power plants than funds lose success of the LNG business even though the country s first LNG lifts its rank in world competitiveness terminal was delivered after more faith in than 15 years of efforts, said an is considered a strategic industry official at a gas utility. He explained for the country (26th in the prior- that LNG which started flowing oil s rally itization ranking) and has been de- into the system on April 1 was veloped considerably, representing initially supplied for 16 days to Speculators are losing faith in the today almost 8% of employment, Pak-Arab Fertiliser which opened oil rally, judging that OPEC will the highest share in the region. the first letter of credit to facilitate keep increasing supply from the Tourists are attracted to Moroc- the first LNG flow. An official highest level since 2012. co s cultural resources (39th) and memorandum described LNG sales Their net-long position in some natural resource hot spots, to Pak-Arab Fertiliser as local nat- West Texas Intermediate crude including popular beach resorts, ural gas. But this did not go down dropped 2.1 percent, as long wa- while the industry benefits from a well with Pak-Arab because rules gers fell the most in two months relatively safe setting (37th) and a subjected LNG imports by the and short bets declined to the low- business environment where FDI private sector at the time to five is welcome (10th) and construc- est since August, U.S. Commodi- per cent general sales tax while lo- ty Futures Trading Commission tion procedures are not burden- some (28th). The country s infra- cal gas was subjected to 17pc GST. data show. OPEC s push to de- The urea manufacturer is reported fend its share of the global oil mar- structure also plays a significant role, though air and ground trans- to have faced problems in market- ket has just begun and its mem- ing urea. As if it were not enough, bers may further increase produc- port have room for improvement. Human resources (107th) could the fertiliser sector used to be pro- tion, the International Energy also be improved, including better vided with 32-35mmcfd (million Agency said May 13. Saudi Ara- leveraging talent by incentivizing cubic feet per day) of LNG against bia said it boosted output to the female participation, investing the official commitment of highest level in at least three de- more in staff training (105th) and 55mmcfd, causing capacity prob- cades. Oil explorers in the U.S. re- making the labor market more flex- lems. On top of that, lack of clari- duced the rig count last week by ible, especially to attract foreign ty in legal mechanism compelled the least since December, dimin- workers. Other areas for attention independent power producers ishing the probability that supply are health and hygiene (98th), es- (IPPs) to refuse to provide addi- will contract. More from pecially the availability of hospi- tional security to SNGPL for LNG Bloomberg.com: The GOP is Cam- tal beds (113th) and access to im- supply. Also, the PSO has com- paigning for George W. Bush's proved drinking water (110th). mitted too much financing for im- Third Term Until we see some Egypt is 83rd in the global porting LNG and making arrange- real tightening of supply the mar- ranking and 10th in the region, ments for its future purchases, ket is going to be vulnerable to a Most countries in the Middle East The region s countries can be ing in and giving significant impor- vironment (23rd) and price com- with approximately 9 million tour- leaving very limited capacity to pullback, Gene McGillian, a se- and North Africa are price-com- divided into three groups: (i) those tance to the development of the petitiveness (11th). Its significant ists per year below the country s ensure smooth supply chain of nior analyst at Tradition Energy petitive destinations and several which have created a strong busi- T&T industry. This is supported amount of international visitors full potential as a price-competi- petroleum products. Interestingly, in Stamford, Connecticut, said by have built significant travel and ness environment, developed by its world-renowned air trans- travel mainly for business or reli- tive destination (2nd), with signif- SNGPL declined LNG supplies to phone May 15. Only once we tourism (T&T) industries in recent sound infrastructure, grown spe- port infrastructure (3rd) and posi- gious tourism; however, it remains icant investments in the T&T in- the CNG sector s umbrella organ- get evidence that the fundamentals years, the World Economic Forum cific niches and remained relative- tioning as a gateway for Europe- generally closed as a destination dustry (23rd). Egypt s outstand- isation, Universal Gas Distribution are changing will prices be able to said in its Travel & Tourism Com- ly safe as destinations (the top five ans to Africa, the Middle East and for leisure tourism, as exemplified ing cultural resources (41st) and Company, on the grounds that it move higher, he said. Prices col- petitiveness Report 2015 . countries in the list); (ii) those that Asia. It has created extremely ef- by its government s low emphasis long history are perhaps under-le- did not obtain a valid licence from lapsed 46 percent last year as Sau- However, concerns about se- maintain great tourism attractive- fective branding campaigns (1st) in prioritizing the T&T industry veraged, as reflected in a surpris- the Oil and Gas Regulatory Au- di Arabia led the Organization of curity which, unlike in some ness, but have experienced safety and an enabling business environ- (100th) and international openness ingly low rank (60th) for oral and thority (Ogra). The PSO, IPPs and Petroleum Exporting Countries in other regions, are more related to and security concerns or infrastruc- ment for the industry s develop- (138th). Its stringent visa restric- intangible heritage. Current insta- Pak-Arab also did not have valid maintaining production rather than terrorism and political instability ture limitations (Egypt, Tunisia, ment, with strides in travel facili- tions (140th) apply also for the bility is reducing Egypt s appeal licences for LNG. As a conse- cede market share to booming U.S. than crime and violence are caus- Jordan and Lebanon); and (iii) those tation and the liberalization of its Haj pilgrimage, though there have to international tourists, and lim- quence, LNG is being imported, supply. The group has become ing some countries to see a reduc- that are not leveraging enough their visa regime (30th). been recent policy changes to en- iting receipts and, hence, funds marketed and sold to various con- more unified about keeping its out- tion in international arrivals, even T&T capacity (all the others). The country has a safe and courage foreign tourists to visit his- available for investment. It also sumers, but neither being billed, nor put target because prices are now though secluded tourism resorts The United Arab Emirates secure environment, but improve- torical sites (the country scores rel- contributes greatly to the low safe- charged or paid. A logical solution rising, Kuwaiti Oil Minister Ali Al- are far from the most dangerous (UAE) leads the region and takes ments could be made in terms of atively well, 55th, for cultural re- ty and security performance to the logjam is weighted average Omair said May 12. Ministers areas, it noted. 24th place globally, welcoming over health and hygiene services (69th), sources). Saudi Arabia has good air (136th) and might also have an cost of gas that puts domestic gas from the 12-member group are Other common difficulties in- 10 million tourists in 2013. While and some aspects of price com- transport infrastructure (40th), al- impact on the country s relatively (around $4 per MMBTU) and scheduled to meet in Vienna on clude low international openness, the UAE does not have rich natu- petitiveness should be monitored though further investment could be limited international openness imported LNG (more than $13 per June 5. Higher Production We ll which may be connected to the ral resources (95th), it has built a as the cost of living is growing made in ground and tourism infra- (115th) performance. In addition, MMBTU) in one basket for pric- be in a market where both U.S. security concerns, and environ- unique environment to attract both (103rd). structure (67th) and environmen- ground infrastructure (103rd) re- production will go up and OPEC, ing. Such proposals required ap- mental sustainability, a dimension business and leisure travelers. Saudi Arabia places 5th region- tal policies for the industry s long- quires a significant upgrade, espe- proval by Ogra which is practical- Pierre Andurand, chairman of on which almost all countries in From Expo 2020 Dubai to the con- ally and 64th out of all countries term development (121st). cially in terms of quality of roads Andurand Capital Management, the region perform below the in- struction of the Louvre and in the TTCI, distinguishing itself Morocco is ranked 62nd over- ly invalid at present because of and efficiency of the transport net- court cases and shortage of mem- said in a Bloomberg Television in- ternational average. Guggenheim, the UAE is invest- through its enabling business en- all and 4th in the region. Tourism work. terview May 14. It s going to be bers required to make a decision. difficult for prices to go much high- Secondly, such proposals were re- er in the short term. Futures ad- jected thrice by the prime minister vanced 35 cents to $60.75 a barrel Eastern Libyan state oil firm AGOCO produces 270,000 bpd because he did not want to burden common consumers. The LNG on the New York Mercantile Ex- Libyan state oil company AGO- change in the period covered by policy 2011 does not allow pro- CO, which is active in the east of curement of LNG from the spot the CFTC report. WTI for June the OPEC member country, is pro- delivery rose 47 cents to $60.16 in market by the public sector. Sec- ducing about 270,000 barrels a day tion 3.2 (C) of the policy also bars electronic trading at 9:43 a.m. Lon- of crude, unchanged from a week don time. Global crude oil supply a public sector utility from import- ago, a company spokesman said . ing and selling LNG procured from was a staggering 3.2 million bar- The company s Hariga export rels a day higher in April than a the spot market. Interestingly, port and connected Sarir and Mess- LNG imported in about 50 days year earlier, the IEA said in a re- la oilfields are working normally, port. OPEC production rose by has been arranged by public sector he said, adding: We are facing no companies from the spot market. 160,000 barrels a day in April to problems at all. 31.21 million, the most since Sep- The LNG policy allows public The port located in the east- sector procurement of the com- tember 2012, according to the ern city of Tobruk has had to close modity through direct negotiations monthly report from the Paris- several times this year because of based agency. A record drop in rigs protests and a pipeline blast. or international competitive bid- drilling for oil helped send WTI The Arabian Gulf Oil Co ding for a period to be specified above $62 a barrel on May 6. U.S. (AGOCO) is part of the NOC state by Ogra. Because of this legal la- drillers have cut the number of oil company controlling the coun- cuna, IPPs, CNG or fertiliser operating rigs for 23 weeks to the try s oil and gas sector. plants are legally barred from ex- lowest level in more than five years, But crude supplies to the Zu- tending fresh security deposit to according to Baker Hughes Inc. eitina port, also located in the east, the gas utilities. Likewise, section Last week s drop of 8 rigs was the are still blocked due to a protest 13.1 (1) of the Ogra licence issued smallest decline since the week by locals demanding jobs, another to SNGPL also requires the gas ended Dec. 5. U.S. crude produc- oil official said. utility to procure LNG for sales tion averaged 9.37 million barrels The Arabian Gulf Oil Co to its consumers through compet- a day in the week ended May 8 (AGOCO) is part of the NOC state itive bidding, but the company is after reaching 9.42 million in the oil company controlling the coun- getting its supplies directly from week to March 20, the most in try s oil and gas sector. SSGCL and PSO. The legal solu- Energy Information Administra- The closure of several oilfields tion here is to treat LNG purchas- tion data since at least January across the North African country es by the SNGPL from PSO as 1983. Rig Count It s pretty amaz- has reduced Libya s oil production field gas (natural gas). This will ing that we ve been able to main- to between 380,000 and 400,000 require amendments to many laws tain production at these levels af- bpd, an industry source has told relating to natural gas, LNG and ter the rig count has fallen more Reuters. Libya had pumped up to licence conditions. The problems than 50 percent, Kyle Cooper, 1.6 million bpd in 2010, before an again is that treating LNG as field director of research at IAF Advi- uprising ousted leader Muammar gas will automatically mean sors in Houston, said by phone Qaddafi. The loss of oil revenue weighted average price of gas as May 15. This is evidence of the has triggered a public-finance cri- against the government s decision operational efficiency in the explo- sis, forcing the central bank to use cy reserves in 2014, official data shows. Libya is now caught in a struggle between two governments, one based in the east and a rival administration to ring-fence LNG for all market- ration and production sector. up a quarter of its foreign curren- controlling Tripoli, as rebels who helped to oust Qaddafi in 2011 have fallen out along political, regional and tribal lines. ing and billing purposes. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES The thrill is Top designers list summer gone. So is WARDROBE MUST-HAVES B.B. King. Now what happens TO LOOK HOT, STAY COOL to the blues? THE death of B.B. King forces us to think about the custody of the blues itself. Where does the music go now? Or has it already left? And to where? King, who died in Las Vegas on Thursday at the age of 89, was one of the last in a panthe- on of great electric blues players. With the help of his famous guitar Lucille, he forged a sound that was admired as eagerly as it was cop- ied. It s quaint to think of music as a nifty little torch that gets passed from hand to hand, generation to generation, but we should know by now that the transaction of in- fluence is infinitely messier. Little embers eagerly jump off the torch s flame. New fires burn wild and loud. And in America, the blues sparked an unprecedented kind of wildfire. It determined the way in which all rock n rollers would handle their guitars. It helped steer the curve of vocalised vowels in Motown and every town. Electrified in Chicago, it pre- saged hip-hop as an idiom designed to express black urban hardship at high decibels. But when the blues first arrived in America s mass con- sciousness roughly half a century he has played a myriad of The daring, audacious characters of Mumbai which she shares with India. Although women are advanc- ago, largely via British blues play- roles on the big screen, chal she enacted in films such as Arth, Javed Akhtar. On the walls are hung ing into leadership roles in all pro- ers, it was seen as the primordial Slenging the subordinate po- Fire, Tehzeeb and Mandi still a variety of paintings, quite a few fessional areas, she says that the style upon which rock-and-roll sition of women and defying the stand as a gift to the feminist con- of them by the noted Indian painter problem of female foeticide and sex- was building tomorrow s castles. countless myths associated with sciousness. However, her activism M. F. Hussain. We need to chal- selective abortions is still prevalent Plenty of rock millionaires took the feminine. Through her gripping is not confined to the screen but lenge women s lack of access to ed- in India. From portraying strong, pains to advertise this connection, performances she has lived she has been advocating for the ucation, unequal employment op- powerful and provocative characters occasionally collaborating with through her characters ordeals by rights of women in her personal portunities and unjust marriage prac- on screen that have often inspired a their heroes while basking in the embodying their dreams, fancies, capacity despite threats and resis- tices, she asserts. Women are national debate to tirelessly advo- glow of their credibility. In the sec- yearnings, sufferings and desires. tance from conservative groups. forced to accept their inferior posi- cating for women s rights in India, ond half of his career, King was Like a brimming sea of emotions, She is a nominated member of the tion in marriage and despite obsta- Shabana Azmi has proven that she s happy to shine in his duets with she has overwhelmed her audienc- Rajya Sabha, the upper house of cles they are expected to live with a force to be reckoned with The Eric Clapton and U2. Partnerships es with her outstanding talents and the Indian parliament, and has been it. The privilege of gaining educa- Indian film industry is also paving like these cemented the idea of the abilities. In her various cinematic working for the cause of women tion and the ability to combine a its way towards gender equality in a blues as human fingertips bending roles as a mother, wife, lover and empowerment at the grassroots career with marriage and motherhood way that more women-centric roles electric guitar strings into ampli- sex worker she has been phenom- level. Violence against women is lies with only a handful of women are available, she said, Lately, au- fied wails. And in 2015, you can enal by portraying a woman s po- just intolerable, says Shabana who can afford it. Shabana Azmi s diences have realised that films with hear that sound inside countless tentially dangerous struggle with Azmi as we engage in a tête-à-tête NGO Mijwan Welfare Society women leads can also be intriguing nightclubs and just about every society in her assertion of freedom. at her apartment in the Juhu area works to empower rural women in and interesting. Guitar Center showroom across the country. You can also hear it Mad Max actor being made more urgently by a few Sonam Planet of the Apes 3: professional young guns, includ- Tom Hardy: Don t ing Gary Clark Jr., the most recent Kapoor figure to make the electric blues Will it be War of the want to invest in sound alive, or at least alert. But if we think of the blues falunts blue being famous more broadly as a confessional Planet of the Apes? At the ongoing Cannes Film Festi- purge, as a sonic act of unburden- gown on the val, the Mad Max: Fury Road ac- ing we can hear it all around us. The third instalment of the reboo- tor says he prefers to work hard It s as if this music has been pul- ted Planet of the Apes franchise is and then disappear. Filmmaker verised into tiny particles that red carpet reportedly called "War of the Planet Christopher Nolan has said that we ve been unwittingly breathing of the Apes". you have an inner intensity of for decades. Contemporary rap is The title is in the closing line Marlon Brando, combined with where you ll hear it most distinct- of the second film's, Dawn of the the outer expressiveness of ly, a genre where the most com- Planet of the Apes, reported Ace- Charles Laughton. Does that sound manding vocalists are currently showbiz. In the second movie, right? That s a really lovely thing using Auto-Tune to bend their Dreyfus, played by Gary Oldman, to say; I don t know what to say. semi-improvisational rhymes into told Malcolm which was played I love Christopher Nolan. Thanks bruised sobs and groans, not dis- by Jason Clarke, that the military for saying that. (But it s) Not true. similar to the sore notes King bent was on their way. There was also That s a big one. No. Brando is on Lucille s fretboard. (For those a shot of a warship used in the Brando. I am me. I pull faces and who still consider Auto-Tune to international trailer of Dawn of the then do my best. be a musical crutch: Was Lucille a It's that time of the year again when a colonial hangover. So go ahead Planet of the Apes. You were already famous, but an old pair of shorts and a well and break loose with variations on crutch because she was electric? However, the ship did not ap- with your new film, you are on Musicians will always seek new worn ganjee are your best friends. these five wardrobe essentials cho- pear in the finished movie. Matt the precipice of global stardom. But you don't have to bid adieu to sen by the country's best design- ways to express big emotions Reeves and Andy Serkis will re- How does it feel? through new technology.) fashion just because the mercury ers. Rohit Bal's pick for women is turn for the third film. Reeves will I think that will pass. There has crossed the 40 degrees Celcius a light-weight mulmul cutwork In many ways, the great At- work on the script along with Mark lanta rapper Future, and his scores mark. Light-weight fabrics in the kurta or tunic in ivory. "The look Bomback. Produced by Peter Cher- the movie is scheduled to be re- right colour and silhouette can go a is very feminine and chic and these of imitators, feel like the informa- nin, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, leased on July 14, 2017 state wide. tion-age heirs to the original Delta long way in helping you make a can be paired either with jeans or a bluesmen. Much like their fore- statement without sweating it out. churidar. It's comfortable and a sil- bears, these are young black art- Matthew McConaughey's And if you have spent the winter houette that flatters everyone," he ists expressing their individuality, months working out for that per- says. For men, the ace designer and their anguish with expressive new film booed at Cannes, fect bod, now that you have been picks slimfit soft linen shirts in spontaneity. Don t be unsettled by compelled to dump all those lay- white and ivory with handstitched ers, it's finally show time. From detailing. "Again something very this inheritance. Influence spreads Flaunting her cobalt blue floor- actor says 'all right' across genre lines as effortlessly skirts and dresses to lose-fitted chic," he says. You can't go wrong sweeping gown, created by design- trousers and palazzos or the desi with a dress this summer. Just pick as spores on the breeze. It s out ers Ralph & Russo, Bollywood Matthew McConaughey's spiritu- the Palme d'Or with Elephant in there. We can still find the blues tunic and churidar, choices for the a silhouette that flatters your fig- actress Sonam Kapoor took the al drama, The Sea of Trees, was 2003, did not appear too con- summer fashionista are unlimited. ure. "Nothing says summer like a inside the nightclubs, dive-bars and centre stage at the 68th Cannes met with boos at its screening at cerned. Academy Award winner guitar shops, where s it s expect- Cotton might be best but that linen shift dress in a floral print," International Film Festival. Cannes. A portion of the audience McConaughey put on a relaxed doesn't mean monotony has to set says designer Anita Dongre. Her ed, but we might happen upon The 29-year-old, who made at the French film festival waited face, too, telling a news conference are so many famous people around something more vital if we start into your wardrobe. The wide pick from her label AND is a rose her fifth Cannes appearance on until the credits rolled to express ahead of Saturday's public pre- nowadays. I think people just spectrum of cottons to choose print dress in peach colour with listening for it everywhere else. Saturday representing L'Oreal Par- their disdain and booed loud, the miere: "Anyone has as much right don t really care in a way that That doesn t mean there s from includes linen, khadi, hand- three-quarter sleeves. "A white is, sent the shutterbugs in a frenzy TMZ.com reported. In The Sea of to boo as they do to ovate." Van much, unless of course you want looms from different parts of the jumpsuit with flared bottoms (as nothing to mourn here. With King s as she walked the red carpet in the Trees, an American, played by Sant said: "I read one review this to invest in being famous. And I death, we lose our access to a pio- country and of course, good old in the photo above) is a must-have striking blue gown paired with a Matthew McConaughey, travels morning and it was very definitive. don t. You are not interested at all? mulmul. Hip accessories like a chic for the evenings," she says. Just neer who invented new ways to matte orange lip colour. Her hair in to Japan to enter the Aokigahara I was imagining everyone was the I want to work hard. I love my job improvise the sound of his human- hat, a colourful boho bag or one add a single statement piece of jew- a gorgeous shade of praline brown forest and kill himself after his same person as the one who wrote and I love working, but I think you piece of statement jewellery and a ellery, like the neckpiece that the ity on six strings. And while we were styled in soft loose curls that wife's (Naomi Watts) death. There it and I was like now I know where choose whether or not you want may have called what he was do- stylish pair of strappy sandals or model sports, and you can be sure cascaded over her shoulder. he meets a Japanese (Ken Wa- we stand - it was kind of nice but to participate in that arena, which peep toes would complete the of turning heads wherever you go. ing the blues , it s important to The `Khoobsurat` actress has tanabe) and both start a journey of then I got nervous later." Elephant comes with its own pitfalls. I ll go remember that we didn t love King look. Men shouldn't stew in bor- Give tradition a twist with this mostly impressed fashion critics self-reflection and survival. "It's an also had a mixed reception from and find my little bat-cave and dis- ing formals during the day and in long white Ritu Kumar kurta - the for his ability to carry a tradition worldwide with her sartorial choic- isolation to get to salvation, how the press before winning the high- appear. It became normal, but ini- into the 21st century. We were tially, I suppose for anybody from uncomfortable jeans in the evening designer's choice for every ward- es every year. facing death helps you find life," est distinction. "I remember... there either. As most designers advise, robe this season. "White is the co- drawn to his music because it was Prior to her, "Bang Bang!" star McConaughey told a news con- was some kind of fight after Ele- outside looking in, it would look a manifestation of his pain. We like that. We would get up in the opt for linens, light-weight cottons lour of summer. Long white Katrina Kaif made her Cannes de- ference on Saturday. The effort was phant's screening, there was a fist- and khadis. Add a twist by going straight-fit kurtas with a touch of can t and shouldn t expect but in this year's edition on May morning, have breakfast, drive dubbed a 'dishonest tear-jerker' by icuffs about whether it was good about 70 km in the middle of no- for these in pastels and neon-pops embroidery at the neck are perfect the musicians of today, tomorrow 14. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan will The Guardian and Variety called it or bad," said Van Sant. "They were or the day after to express any- where, get painted, strap on bike - colours that are often seen on men for the summer. Pair it with a plaz- walk the red carpet on Sunday and a "risibly long-winded drama". Its punching each other and that was in the countryside but have lately zo pant or churidar and a multico- one s blues other than their own. May 20. padding and then put on a leather director Gus Van Sant, who won at Cannes." suit. been rejected by urbanites nursing lour lehriya dupatta ," she says. Sushmita Sen not keen on Hindi remake of Nirbaak Just in: Ali Zafar dishes on Deosai, Nirbaak star Sushmita Sen says she does not want a Hindi remake of her Bengali film. The former Miss HIS FIRST FILM PRODUCTION! Universe returned to the silver It's official, folks! Ali Zafar is add- screen with Nirbaak, directed by ing another feather to his cap: the Bengali director Srijit Mukherji. actor is finally taking the produc- The film has four love stories er's seat for an upcoming film. connected by one woman played Titled Deosai, the film will be by Sushmita Sen. an action drama set in the Paki- "I don't think Nirbaak can be stan's Northern Areas. The film's remade in Hindi or any other lan- shoot will begin in the summer, and guage. The film's essence is pretty is expected to release in mid-2016. Bengali. Moreover, it is not even Ali Zafar has roped in Imran needed to be presented in any oth- Babur, whose previous work in- er language because the film's name cludes documentary Without is Nirbaak which means speech- Shepherds, to direct the film. Za- less," said the actor in Mumbai far will play the male lead in the Friday during the premiere of the film, and a search for the female film for her Hindi film industry lead is ongoing. "Having worked friends. intensely in the Northern areas, I "There are very few dialogues fell in love with the idea and story in the film. So, anybody not only Ali shared with me. It's an extreme- various art forms, and experience and make films that are not just from the country but from the ly powerful story and I am excited his relationship with them, for me avant-garde in their narrative and world can understand the film," she and honoured to be a part of this venturing out into creating a fea- aesthetics but also mean something. added. Directed by Srijit Mukher- project," said Imran about the ture film, is a most thrilling begin- Films that can make a difference ji, the film was released in Kolkata project. Talking about the film, ning." He added, "I have been and are remembered for a long time on May 1 while it released in rest Zafar said, "Being an artist who wanting to play my part in the re- for their content besides aiming to of the country on Friday. Sushmita Sen makes her Bengali film debut with Srijit Mukherji's Nirbaak. (Samir Jana/HT Photo) likes to discover the intricacies of vival of our local cinema industry be successful commercial ventures. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19, 2015 AFGHANISTANTIMES Nadal woes raise French Open flag for rivals

ROME: For the past 10 years them. I think to be honest it sur- Rafael Nadal has been virtually prised everybody considering his unbeatable at Roland Garros, but record on clay courts over the that could all change at this year's years, said Djokovic. It's some- French Open as the Spaniard's thing that hasn't happened in the woes continue on clay. Nadal, last ten years. But he's human as stunned in the final of the Madrid well and does have his periods Masters a week ago by Britain's where he's not confident or not Andy Murray, has won only one winning matches. This is the sur- tournament Buenos Aires on face that always allowed him to his favourite surface this year. regain his confidence if he was los- Having already lost twice this year ing more on hard courts than clay to Italian Fabio Fognini, Serbian courts. Whenever he would get to rival Novak Djokovic and Murray, the clay season he would win the 14-time Grand Slam winner matches and then feel like he's back was eliminated from the quarter- on the right path. This year is finals of the Italian Open by Stan quite different and it will be inter- Wawrinka, who also beat Nadal to esting to see how he bounces back the Australian Open title in 2014. for Roland Garros, the most suc- If Nadal's defeat to Murray cessful tournament he has ever was confirmation that things were played in his career. not quite going to plan, his failure Given Nadal's record in Paris, to reach the latter stages in Rome few would write off the Spaniard means he will likely miss out on a even if he has to meet a top top four seeding for Roland Gar- seed like Djokovic as early as the ros. Seedings for the second Grand quarter-finals. Federer, meanwhile, Slam of the year, which begins on said Nadal has the ability to dispel May 24, will be announced by the doubts about his clay court game French Open organisers shortly, and battle his way to a 10th title in and Nadal is unlikely to be given the French capital. You may be the luxury of a top four seeding, shocked to hear that at times we meaning he could meet one of his doubt ourselves, and anybody main rivals as early as the quarter- who says something else is lying finals. Barring 2009, when Swe- to you, said Federer. But that to den's Robin Soderling upset him me is no news, that's just normal in Paris, Nadal has won the French for any player out there. It seems Open every year since 2005, that he's doing just fine and regard- stretching his record to nine titles less of what anybody says to me, in 2014 last year with victory over he is the favourite for the French Djokovic. It goes without saying Open. That guy has only lost Nadal's struggles have not gone once in 10 years, there's no way unnoticed. Djokovic overwhelmed past that guy being the favourite Swiss Roger Federer to defend his for that tournament. Following a MADRID: A year that equals the came from Messi himself, though. ness that offers more variety than Italian Open title on Sunday. Al- defeat to Djokovic that has under- best in Barcelona's history, with A week after the Sociedad game, had even Guardiola's trophy-laden though neither have dismissed lined the Serbian's hot form head- La Liga in the bag and Champions the four-time World Player of the four years in charge. He gives Barca Nadal, they admit his virtually ing into Paris, Federer refused to League and Copa del Rey finals to Year had to watch Cristiano Ronal- the aggression that is so important barren run on clay has surprised budge on the Nadal question. come, couldn't have started more do pick up his third Ballon d'Or in the attacking third, said Atleti- inauspiciously. The Catalans and pronounce he was coming for co boss Diego Simeone, who, hav- opened 2015 with a 1-0 defeat at Messi's record. Yet, in the five ing seen his side go unbeaten in six Marc Marquez Real Sociedad on the field and de- months which have followed it, games against Barca last season, lost scended into full blown institution- Messi has again taken the lead in all four meetings this campaign. I WILL BE WORLD TAKES POLE al crisis off it. Lionel Messi and the rivalry between the two and Meanwhile, Neymar's 37 goals Neymar had been left on the bench recovered the level that made him means he has struck more than the IN FRENCH in San Sebastian after returning the world's best between 2009 and likes of Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, back from their Christmas holidays 2012. I see him strong, quick, Rivaldo or Thierry Henry ever man- CHAMPION: DEGALE MOTOGP later than the rest of their team- competitive. He has returned to aged for Barca in a single season. mates, a decision which didn't rest being the player I had the privilege Although often overlooked given well with the former as he skipped to coach, said the most success- his star-studded squad, Enrique an open training session with the ful coach in Barca's history, Pep also deserves his share of the cred- club's fans the next day. On the Guardiola, after watching a Messi it. The former Celta Vigo coach's same day, sporting director Ando- masterclass eliminate his Bayern rotation policy was much criticised ni Zubizarreta was sacked and his Munich side in the Champions in the first half of the season. En- assistant and club legend Carles League last week. If Messi's 54 rique didn't name the same starting Puyol walked. The following week goals and 30 assists have been the line-up for two consecutive league Luis Enrique's job was on the line catalyst for Barca's stellar run, games until mid-January. Howev- as champions Atletico Madrid vis- Neymar and Luis Suarez have er, whilst title rivals Real Madrid ited the Camp Nou, but rather than starred in the supporting role. have floundered physically in the leave their coach out to dry, Barca Messi's upturn in the new year final few months of the campaign, Marc Marquez notched his third produced their best performance coincided with Suarez recovering Barca have got stronger when it pole position of the season after of the season and set in motion a his best form after a four-month matters most. Fittingly it was at qualifying fastest for Sunday's run of 29 wins in 32 games to pro- ban for biting at the World Cup Atletico, exactly a year to the day French MotoGP at Le Mans. The pel them to glory on all fronts. and a switch in positions between since Los Rojiblancos won the Repsol Honda rider clocked a time From the game against Real So- the two as the Uruguayan played league at the Camp Nou, where the of one minute, 32.246 seconds, ciedad, everything changed, Mes- more centrally to allow Messi to league title was won on Sunday which was over half-a-second si admitted weeks later. The atti- use his full repertoire of skills from thanks to a piece of Messi genius. quicker than Andrea Dovizioso on tude, the desire of the team to go a deeper role. Suarez has added a The first trophy of what they hope a Ducati. Jorge Lorenzo, of Mov- out on the field in a different way different dimension to Barcelona, and most expect to be a treble in istar Yamaha, makes up the front and to press. The biggest change a directness and, at times, nasti- three weeks time in Berlin. row of the grid and reigning world champion Marquez said he is wary of the threat of Lorenzo. He said: Australia Horse racing news: Wilson "In qualifying we used the best setup that we had found. We were lucky that the track was in good opener Renwick injured in fall James DeGale believes he is des- decision to Carl Froch in Notting- champion. Trust me, history is condition which allowed me to tined to become a world champi- ham in 2009. And DeGale is ada- getting made on the 23rd, next Sat- ride normally. I am happy with Rogers to on by beating Andre Dirrell this mant that he will make history this urday. DeGale was speaking from pole position and a tough race weekend. The super-middleweight weekend. He said: It s a chance Miami where he is finishing up his awaits us, because Jorge especial- takes on Dirrell for the vacant IBF that I can t let slip; I m too good. training camp before the bout. ly has a very good pace. We will retire after world title in Boston on May 23, People aren t going to give me the I ve been over here for just try to be as close to him as we live on Sky Sports, and he wants opportunities again because I m over a week now, he said. I ve can." The second row will be head- to add a world championship title too good. No one is going to fight just come over here to acclimatise ed by Britain s Cal Crutchlow Ashes to his Olympic gold medal from me for a voluntary defence so I ve and do my last bits of training, last while compatriot Bradley Smith Beijing in 2008. He would become got to take this chance. History bits of sparring, last bits of road who topped Friday's free practice the first British boxer to achieve is going to be made, I m telling you. work so I m feeling good. I m feel- was sixth. Current championship such a feat. Dirrell (25-1, 16 KOs), I ve trained too hard, I ve come ing real, real good. leader Valentino Rossi was seventh who won an Olympic bronze in too far in my career. Watch Andre Dirrell v James fastest ahead of Dani Pedrosa. The Athens in 2004, has never been a You probably hear this a lot DeGale live on Sky Sports 1 on Italian leads Dovizioso by 15 world champion and lost a split but I m destined to be a world Saturday from 8pm. points after four rounds of the championship Marquez, who trails Rossi by 26 points in the Mark Cavendish wins as Peter Sagan standings, is recovering from a bro- Wilson Renwick is set for a spell met was smashed. "Hopefully, ken finger sustained recently fol- on the sidelines after fracturing two he'll be out of hospital today. lowing an accident on a dirt bike. vertebrae and breaking his collar- There's no reason why he can't snatches Tour of California victory He added: "My little finger is bone in a fall at Market Rasen on come out once they've got every- practically back to normal and in Sunday. The jump jockey spent thing fixed up - the collar and ev- any event I won't be able to use it the night in Hull Royal Infirmary erything - then I think he can come as an excuse." following his first flight tumble out. "As long as his neck is kept from the Donald McCain-trained still, the vertebrae will heal itself Sindarban in the BDN Construc- "They suspected he might have Thistles up for tion Maiden Hurdle. However, his punctured his lung but that wasn't agent Richard Hale believes Ren- the case and at least his breathing's wick could be allowed home on OK." Renwick, who had been the challenge Monday. He's fractured two ver- riding the majority of McCain's The Scottish Thistles will face a tebrae in his neck. They've put a horses in the absence of the injured tough challenge at the Netball Eu- brace on to stabilise it all," said Jason Maguire, enjoyed his best- rope Championships where they Hale. "He's also broken a collar- ever campaign last season with 60 will come up against rivals North- bone and he's battered and bruised. winners and had already notched ern Ireland, Wales and Trinidad & He got a good kicking and his hel- up five this term. Tobago. The Championships, SYDNEY: Australia opening bats- which take place at the Antrim man Chris Rogers said Monday he Forum, Belfast, Northern Ireland plans to retire from Tests after this Minjee Lee made to wait for between May 14 and 17, feature year's Ashes series in England. Scotland, England, Northern Ire- At the age of 37, the left-hander Kingsmill Championship win ark Cavendish sprinted to team-mate s lead, Sagan and Al- to finish third, but then the Slovak land and Wales in addition to world said he was on track to finish his his 13th win of the sea aphilippe finished second and conjured a final burst of speed and number six South Africa and Trin- international career at the end of Australian teenager Minjee Lee has Mson on the final stage of third respectively as the Slovak a lunge for the line saw him take idad & Tobago, ranked ninth. Net- the five-Test Ashes series in Au- been made to wait as she bids to the Tour of California as Peter Sa- reduced his overall deficit to one third place and the four bonus sec- ball Scotland CEO Maggie Mur- gust. win her first US LPGA Tour title gan pipped Julian Alaphilippe to second. That left him needing to onds by a matter of millimetres. ray said: This is the first time the I'm very happy, I've been after darkness halted play at the overall victory in a remarkable cli- claim a top-three place at the stage It was so close that both Sa- European countries have taken the pretty fortunate to have this sec- weather-hit Kingsmill Champion- max to the eight-day race. Sagan finish in Pasadena, where another gan and Alaphilippe, who was bold move to invite countries from ond go at it and have loved every ship at Williamsburg, Virginia on (Tinkoff-Saxo) started the stage 10, six and four bonus seconds 12th, thought they had claimed other continents. The outcome is moment of it, Rogers told Fox two seconds behind overnight lead- were on offer, in order to overhaul overall victory and began celebrat- that the Thistles will be seriously Sunday. The 18-year-old had just challenged by four top ten ranked Sports. But time calls on every- teed off at 16 when the horn sound- er Alaphilippe (Etixx Quick- Alaphilippe, who is not competi- ing with team-mates, but then the one and I think it's nearly up for countries, which is both a benefit ed to halt the round due to a lack Step) in the general classification tive in bunch sprints and was un- Frenchman s joy was dashed when and a threat. me. I think to go out in the Ashes of light and, despite having the op- but turned that into a three-sec- likely to challenge. a photo of the finish showed Sa- It s a big chance to learn and im- and in England where I've played a tion to complete the hole, she chose ond triumph thanks to bonus sec- Cavendish once again streaked gan had indeed edge out Farrar. prove but we risk moving down lot of cricket is pretty fitting. to mark her ball on the fringe at the onds at both the day s intermedi- away to a comfortable victory The victory was Sagan's third from 11th place if we lose to After making his Test debut in green instead. She had previously ate sprint and finish line. Three, his fourth at this year s race to of the season and first in a general Northern Ireland, Wales or Trin- 2008, Rogers was recalled for the used a weather delay to good ad- two and one bonus seconds were scoop the 10 seconds and Wouter classification since the 2011 Tour idad & Tobago all three are our 2013 Ashes and has since been a vantage, regrouping after dropping on offer for the first three over the Wippert (Drapac Professional of Poland. Team Sky's Sergio main rivals. Over the last two solid contributor at the top of the a shot at the fourth hole to notch was right there," Lee said. "I still line at the intermediate sprint and Cycling) took second place to Henao finished third overall, 37 years the Thistles have learned Australia batting order, making five birdies and an eagle that gave have some work to do tomorrow, although Cavendish (Etixx claim the six. Tyler Farrar (MTN- seconds down, while Cavendish how to close out tight games so 1,535 runs at an average of 39.35 her a four-shot lead at 16-under- but just kind of gave myself op- Quick-Step) gobbled up the three Qhubeka) overtook Sagan in the secured victory in the points clas- our mind-set is all about winning, across 20 Tests. par through 15 holes. "I knew I portunities, played smart golf. seconds in an effort to protect his finishing straight and look certain sification. giving nothing away. This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF. TUESDAY . MAY 19 . 2015 -Sawr 29, 1394 H.S Vol:IX Issue No:283 Price: Afs.15

Work on 2nd lane Russia closes NATO s transport Veteran Pakistnai of Torkham-Jalalabad CORRIDOR TO AFGHANISTAN author Rashid speaks out ROAD RESUMED ussia has closed a transport NATO used extensively to supply ended its operations in Afghanistan over cross-border issues corridor that had allowed its decade-long deployment in December, but continues to keep RNATO militaries to deliver in Afghanistan, was made in con- a small military force in the coun- supplies to Afghanistan through nection with the termination of the try. It also provides financial Russian territory, according to a provisions of United Nations Se- and limited material support to the decree signed by Prime Minister curity Council Resolution 1386, Afghan security forces. Russian Dmitry Medvedev and said the decree, dated May 15. Res- President Vladimir Putin was quick published on a government web- olution 1386 was the 2001 UN Se- to offer support to the U.S. fol- site Monday. The pathway curity Council decision that autho- lowing the 9/11 terrorist attacks through Russia had been a symbol rized international forces in New York in 2001 that prompt- of Russia-U.S. cooperation amid to operate in Afghanistan. Under ed the invasion of Afghanistan. But otherwise frosty relations be- the resolution, Russia offered its relations between Russia and tween the two former Cold War airspace to NATO forces to trans- NATO quickly became strained as rivals. Moscow s decision to close port equipment into Afghanistan. the alliance expanded in Eastern the transport corridor, which NATO, a Western military alliance, Europe over Moscow s objections.

Ahmed Rashid, a NATO Colombia landslide Pakistani journalist surveillance AT News Report the construction of the road In an exclusive interview with is not handling the situation prop- would not only improve regional kills dozens in TOLOnews' Lotfullah Najafizada, erly that Afghanistan still does KABUL: Work on the second lane connectivity but would tremen- drone crashes Ahmed Rashid, a Pakistani jour- not have a defense minister or gov- of Torkham-Jalalabad road was dously facilitate the Afghan tran- nalist and best-selling foreign pol- ernors in the provinces." He said resumed on Monday after a long- sit trade and travel of business in Khost Antioquia province icy author, discussed the new this was an internal problem but time delay. A ceremony was held community and the general public KHOST CITY: A NATO surveil- found cooperation between Kabul nonetheless a problem as impor- in Jalalabad city of eastern Nan- as well. The Ambassador high- At least 33 people have been killed have been scrambled". Local offi- and Islamabad and the commitment tant and as dangerous at the exter- garhar province to resume work lighted the projects built with Pa- lance drone crashed into a moun- in a landslide in Antioquia prov- cial Zulma Osorio spoke of a "trag- tain in southeastern Khost prov- to fighting terrorism. Rashid said nal crisis of the Taliban. When on construction of second lane of kistan s bilateral assistance for the ince in north-west Colombia, offi- edy of enormous proportions" and he had seen a shift, by both par- asked by Najafizada why he the road. The ceremony was at- socio-economic uplift of Afghan- ince on Monday, an official said. cials say. The director of Antio- asked for firefighters and first re- Whishing anonymity, the pro- ties, but especially by Pakistan thought Pakistan was now pre- tended by a large number of peo- istan, particularly Allama Iqbal quia's Disaster Prevention Depart- sponse teams to be sent from sur- who appears to have reached out pared to play a constructive role ple including parliamentarians, Arts Faculty in University of vincial official told Pajhwok Af- ment told local media 20 people rounding areas. She said the search ghan News the incident took place had been injured. Heavy rains was under way for missing resi- to President Ashraf Ghani in an in Afghanistan's future a role it tribal notables and senior Afghan Kabul, Liaquat Ali Khan Engineer- at around 4pm in Oqbai area of attempt to bring the Afghan Tali- has avoided in the past 13 years officials. According to a press re- ing University in Bulkh, Naeb Sabari district in northern part of caused the river Liboriana to burst dents, and that local officials were ban to the table for talks. "We saw his answer was quite simple. He lease issued by Pakistan s Embas- Aminullah Khan Hospital, Logar the province. He said the un- its banks, triggering the landslide. compiling a list of all the families this in the visit last week by Paki- put it down to Pakistan feeling the sy in Kabul, Pakistan s Ambassa- 400-Bed Jinnah Hospital in Kab- manned aircraft crashed against a Much of the village of Santa Mar- which had been affected. Bodies are stani Prime Minister Nawaz threat of terror. "I don't think it's dor to Afghanistan, Syed Abrar ul, Nishtar Kidney Center in Jala- mountain due to a technical fault garita, south-west of the provin- still being recovered and the author- Sharif. It was the first time a Paki- about Ghani. I think the change has Hussain, said that his country at- labad, and the provision of three and burst into flames. Nasar Gul, cial capital Medellin, was report- ities expect the number of fatalities stani leader has called the Afghan happened within the military tached utmost importance to its thousand scholarships for the Af- a resident of the area, said he saw edly swept away when the land- to rise. Police in Antioquia put the Taliban an enemy of Pakistan. So I which has always controlled Af- ties with brotherly country, Af- ghan students. He stated that the the drone crashing. He said no in- slide hit early on Monday. number of confirmed deaths at 39. think all the rhetoric is very posi- ghanistan's policy and really I ghanistan. He added that Pakistan two brotherly countries ties were surgent activity was involved. Antioquia Governor Sergio President Juan Manuel Santos is tive and hopefully it will lead to think the losses that Pakistan is has actively been contributing to improving in all fields. Speaking Foreigner forces and the Taliban Fajardo tweeted that it was a "trag- travelling to the town of Salgar to more positive action." He said he feeling from terrorists has woken the reconstruction and develop- on the occasion, Director Gener- have not yet commented on the edy" and "that all emergency teams assess the damage. (BBC) thinks there has already been an up the establishment military and ment of Afghanistan. He said that al, Frontier Works ..P2 crash. (Pajhwok) upswing in cooperation by the political leaders that Pakistan National Directorate of Security could think further and become Taliban, security forces lock (NDS) and the Pakistani Intelli- something like Syria or Iraq ... If gence Service (ISI) but went on to the military does not stop this in- UAE deports only illegal Afghan say that in line with this more credible escalation in terrorism." in intense clashes in Uruzgan work was needed. "I think there He said the root cause of terrorism WORKERS, NOT INVESTORS: MoFA TRINKOT: Taliban militants ments to bolster security of the has not been any attempt yet to in the area was the growth of the stormed several security forces district to avoid any untoward stop the flow of men and weap- Pakistani Taliban who have devel- AT Monitoring Desk officials and address the matter in government to take such issues se- positions, which led them to in- incident. Mohammad Nayab, the ons and materials (across the bor- oped sanctuaries in tribal areas and near future, quoted by TOLO- rious and notice the plight of Af- tense gun battle with security forc- governor s spokesman, said insur- der into Afghanistan) with the in Waziristan. "They have been KABUL: Following reports that news the MoFA spokesman Shek- ghans refugees and workers in for- es in parts of central Uruzgan gents attacked eight security present Taliban offensive that's able to give safe havens to groups the United Arab Emirates has de- ib Mustaghni said.Reports sug- eign countries. Quoted by TOLO- province, a security official said check posts at 3:00 am Sunday going on inside Afghanistan." He from all over the world. "Now what ported Afghan investors in Dubai gest that nearly 600 Afghans, in- news, the ACCI director of inter- on Monday. The 1st Lt. Niamat- night, which lasted for three did however point a finger at Paki- we have for the first time is a full and other cities of the kingdom, cluding Afghan investors, will be national relations, Azrakhsh Hafizi, ullah, police chief of Khas Uruz- hours. Three militants were killed stani Army Chief of Staff General throttle military offensive in north the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deported from UAE. However, said the number of traders is more gan, told Pajhwok Afghan News in the ensuing battle. Separately, Raheel Sharif who he said is pow- Waziristan to drive out these mili- (MoFA) on Monday said the de- the MoFA spokesman said all of than 300 who will be deported by scores of dead bodies of insurgents the spokesman said militants shot erful and made a promise to bring tants. It has been very successful cision will be implemented on il- the 600 individuals are not trad- the UAE government. He said the were lying in the area. He said: Abdul Halim dead, principal of the Taliban to the peace talks table except for the fact that many of legal Afghan workers, not traders. ers; some of them have worked UAE has taken the decision as it The firefight erupted when Tali- Shah Zaman School in Uruzgan by March. "But that has not hap- these militants have crossed over The MoFA said that has sum- there while having no legal docu- considers the investors as threat to ban fighters were planning to car- and abducted the teacher of the pened yet," he said. With regards the border and are now in Afghan- moned the UAE ambassador to ments. Officials in Afghanistan their security, but it is a strange con- ry the dead bodies of their com- school. On their website, Taliban to Afghanistan's political position, istan. But they have only gone to Kabul to explain on the issue. Chamber of Commerce and Indus- sideration. He suggested the gov- panions. However, he did have confirmed the clashes with secu- he said: "I think the weaknesses help the Taliban offensive in Af- After meeting with the UAE tries (ACCI) blame the govern- ernment to take the issue serious exact figure into casualties. rity forces in districts in Uruzgan have been internal and that there is ghanistan," he said. Interestingly ambassador, he vowed to discuss ment for reluctance in helping Af- and help the Afghan traders as their Niamtullah said authorities should did not say about casualties. the constant suspicion that Presi- he went on to say that if there had the issue with his government s ghans abroad. They call on the millions of dollars is in danger. focus provide them with equip- (Pajhwok) dent Ghani is very weak, (that) he been better coordination...P2 This document was created with Win2PDF available at http://www.win2pdf.com. The unregistered version of Win2PDF is for evaluation or non-commercial use only. This page will not be added after purchasing Win2PDF.