Tag Archives: afghanistan

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S./NATO/ISAF Chicago declaration on Afghanistan; “task is not yet complete”

Preamble

  1. We, the nations contributing to ISAF, and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met today in Chicago to renew our firm commitment to a sovereign, secure and democratic Afghanistan. In line with the strategy which we agreed at the Lisbon Summit, ISAF’s mission will be concluded by the end of 2014. But thereafter Afghanistan will not stand alone: we reaffirm that our close partnership will continue beyond the end of the transition period.
  2. In the ten years of our partnership the lives of Afghan men, women and children, have improved significantly in terms of security, education, health care, economic opportunity and the assurance of rights and freedoms. There is more to be done, but we are resolved to work together to preserve the substantial progress we have made during the past decade. The nations contributing to ISAF will therefore continue to support Afghanistan on its path towards self-reliance in security, improved governance, and economic and social development. This will prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a safe haven for terrorists that threaten Afghanistan, the region, and the world. A secure and stable Afghanistan will make an important contribution to its region, in which security, stability and development are interlinked.
  3. ISAF nations and Afghanistan join in honoring all those – civilian or military, Afghan or foreign – who have lost their lives or been injured in the fight for our common security and a prosperous, peaceful and stable Afghanistan. We pay particular tribute to the courage of the armed forces of Afghanistan and ISAF countries who live, train and fight next to each other every day. We are determined that all our sacrifices will be justified by our strong long-term partnership, which will contribute to a better future for the people of Afghanistan.

General principles

  1. Our efforts are part of the broader engagement of the International Community as outlined by the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the Istanbul Process on regional security and cooperation which was launched in November 2011 and the Bonn Conference in December 2011.
  2. We recall the firm mutual commitments made at the Bonn Conference on 5 December 2011, which form the basis of our long-term partnership. In this context, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan confirms its resolve to deliver on its commitment to a democratic society, based on the rule of law and good governance, including progress in the fight against corruption, where the human rights and fundamental freedoms of its citizens, including the equality of men and women and the active participation of both in Afghan society, are respected. The forthcoming elections must be conducted with full respect for Afghan sovereignty and in accordance with the Afghan Constitution. Their   transparency, exclusivity and credibility will also be of paramount importance. In this context, continued progress towards these goals will encourage ISAF nations to further provide their support up to and beyond 2014.
  3. We emphasize the importance of full participation of all Afghan women in the reconstruction, political, peace and reconciliation processes in Afghanistan and the need to respect the institutional arrangements protecting their rights. We remain committed to the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on women, peace and security. We recognize also the need for the protection of children from the damaging effects of armed conflict as required in relevant UNSCRs.

Fulfilling the Lisbon Roadmap and building the Enduring Partnership

  1. In Lisbon, in November 2010, we decided on the phased transition of security responsibility from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), in order to enable Afghans to take full responsibility for their own security. NATO/ISAF and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan remain committed to this transition strategy which began in July 2011. Irreversible transition is on track and will be completed by the end of 2014. We also recognize in this context the importance of a comprehensive approach and continued improvements in governance and development.
  2. The third wave of provinces to enter the transition process was announced by President Karzai on 13 May 2012. This means that 75% of Afghanistan’s population will soon be living in areas where the ANSF have taken the lead for security. By mid-2013, all parts of Afghanistan will have begun transition and the Afghan forces will be in the lead for security nation-wide. This will mark an important milestone in the Lisbon roadmap. ISAF is gradually and responsibly drawing down its forces to complete its mission by 31 December 2014.
  3. The success of transition has been enabled by the substantial improvement of the ANSF since Lisbon in terms of capability and professionalism. Afghan soldiers are increasingly taking the lead in operations on Afghan soil. Afghan forces, both army and police, have proven able to maintain security in those areas which have  already entered into transition.
  4. The completion of transition, however, will not mean the end of the International Community’s commitment to Afghanistan’s stability and development. Afghanistan and NATO reaffirm their commitment to further develop the NATO-Afghanistan Enduring Partnership signed at Lisbon in 2010 in all its dimensions, up to 2014 and beyond, including through joint programs to build capacity such as the Building Integrity Initiative. In this context, NATO and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will now deepen their consultations towards shaping the Enduring Partnership.
  5. Meanwhile, we welcome the fact that a number of ISAF countries have concluded, or are in the process of concluding, bilateral partnership agreements with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. These bilateral partnership frameworks will form the basis of cooperation and friendship between an independent, sovereign and democratic Afghanistan and those countries on the basis of equality and mutual interest.

Beyond 2014

  1. In order to safeguard and build on the substantial progress and shared achievement, ISAF nations reaffirm their enduring commitment to Afghan security beyond 2014; the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continues to welcome that support.
  2. ISAF, including the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, has played a key role in taking the ANSF to the levels they have now reached. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reaffirms that NATO has a crucial part to play, with partners and alongside other actors, in training, advising and assisting the ANSF and invites NATO to continue its support. As transition of security responsibility is completed at the end of 2014, NATO will have made the shift from a combat mission to a new training, advising and assistance mission, which will be of a different nature to the current ISAF mission.
  3. We agree to work towards establishing such a new NATO-led mission. We will ensure that the new mission has a sound legal basis, such as a United Nations Security Council Resolution.

Sustaining the ANSF

  1. With the support of ISAF nations, Afghanistan is committed to developing an ANSF which is governed by the Constitution and is capable of providing security to all Afghans. It will operate under effective civilian leadership, in accordance with the rule of law, and respecting human rights.
  2. At the International Afghanistan Conference in Bonn on 5 December 2011, the wider International Community decided to support the training, equipping, financing and capability development of the ANSF beyond the end of the transition period. NATO Allies and ISAF partners reaffirm their strong commitment to this process and will play their part in the financial sustainment of the ANSF. We also call on the International Community to commit to this long-term sustainment. The pace and the size of a gradual managed force reduction from the ANSF surge peak to a sustainable level will be conditions-based and decided by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in consultation with the International Community. The preliminary model for a future total ANSF size, defined by the International Community and the Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, envisages a force of 228,500 with an estimated annual budget of US$4.1billion, and will be reviewed regularly against the developing security environment.
  3. Sustaining a sufficient and capable ANSF is the responsibility of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan supported by the International Community. As part of the wider International Community, and building upon existing mechanisms, we will play our part in developing appropriate, coherent and effective funding mechanisms and expenditure arrangements for all strands of the ANSF.   Such mechanisms will be flexible, transparent, accountable, cost-effective and will include measures against corruption. They will also distinguish between funding for the army and the police as well as for further capacity development within the relevant Afghan ministries and security institutions.
  4. As the Afghan economy and the revenues of the Afghan government grow, Afghanistan’s yearly share will increase progressively from at least US$500m in 2015, with the aim that it can assume, no later than 2024, full financial responsibility for its own security forces. In the light of this, during the Transformation Decade, we expect international donors will reduce their financial contributions commensurate with the assumption by the Afghan government of increasing financial responsibility.
  5. As the Afghan National Police further develop and professionalize, they will evolve towards a sustainable, credible, and accountable civilian law enforcement force that will shoulder the main responsibility for domestic security. This force should be capable of providing policing services to the Afghan population as part of the broader Afghan rule of law system. This will require an adequate plan to be developed by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, supported as appropriate by the International Police Coordination Board (IPCB) or its successor. Both the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police will play a crucial role in ensuring security and stability, and in supporting legitimate governance and sustainable economic growth across the country.

Towards a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan

  1. A political process involving successful reconciliation and reintegration is key to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. In this context, we reiterate the importance of the principles decided at the Bonn Conference. These are that the process leading to reconciliation must be truly Afghan-led and Afghan-owned, and must be inclusive and representative of the legitimate interests of all Afghan people, regardless of gender or status. Reconciliation must also contain the reaffirmation of a sovereign, stable and united Afghanistan, the renunciation of violence, the breaking of ties to international terrorism, and compliance with the Afghan Constitution, including its human rights provisions, especially on the rights of women.
  2. A peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan will positively contribute to economic and social development in the wider region, and deliver progress in the fight against narcotics trafficking, illegal migration, terrorism and crime. In this context, regional cooperation and support for stability in Afghanistan is key. There are two important events on the way to securing the future commitment of key regional and international partners. The upcoming Kabul Ministerial Conference on the Istanbul Process will launch an initial set of regional confidence-building measures while at the Tokyo Conference the International Community and Afghan leadership will discuss a framework for future development assistance.
  3. Our task is not yet complete. But in the light of our substantial achievements, and building on our firm and shared commitment, we are confident that our strong partnership will lead Afghanistan towards a better future.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Mujahideen continue attacks. More U.S./NATO/Afghan troops killed. U.S. Ambassador quits. NATO sets pullout date, preparing for next war?

22 May 2012, U.S. led NATO has agreed to hand over combat command to the puppet government of Afghanistan by mid 2013, and withdraw the majority of U.S./NATO and other occupying forces by the end of 2014.

And to prove that your tax money will still be hard at work in the Central Asian country, NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said part of the plan was to provide billions of dollars to the Afghan government: “We are on the right track to reaching the goal of around $4 billion [USD] a year for financing of Afghan security forces…”

Ryan Crocker, current ambassador to Afghanistan, is quitting.  He’ll be leaving as soon a replacement is found, which could be within the next month. No official word as to why, but it seems to be connected to discussions at the NATO summit in Chicago.

Afghan Defense Ministry says seven of their troops were killed, and four wounded in several attacks by Mujahideen.  The battles took place in Paktia, Paktika, Maidan Wardak and Zabul provinces.

Afghan Interior Ministry said at least three Mujahideen were killed, and one wounded in battles in Faryab, Kandahar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Ghazni and Farah provinces.

In Nangarhar Province two Pakistani suicide bombers were arrested before they could blow themselves up.

Afghanistan’s National Directorate for Security claims to have foiled an attack on the USAID offices, also in Nangarhar Province. They say they captured four Mujahideen.  They also claim to have captured a man who is a Pakistani Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) agent.  Afghan officials say the agent told them that Pakistan is supporting the Taliban 100%.

Afghan officials are also reporting that a “facilitator” was captured, and more weapons and drugs destroyed.  These events took place beginning 18 May, and through to 21 May in the provinces of Helmand and Khost.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said another U.S./NATO soldier was killed on 21 May.  He was killed when Mujahideen attacked occupying troops in eastern Afghanistan.

 

 

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

Terror Drones: May 14-20. Increased strikes in Yemen. Civilians being forced to fight for government? Oil fields to be guarded by UAVs. Welcome to the 2012 Olympics.

20 May 2012, Iraq revealed they will be using larger UAVs to patrol their Persian Gulf oil rigs. The program is known as Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS).

Iraq already operates the smaller Scan Eagle drones.

20 May 2012, at least two people killed in U.S. drone attack.  Local officials say the Yemen army is on offensive in southern Yemen, and is being supported by U.S. drone strikes.

The offensive began on 18 May. Dozens of people have been killed, including civilians.  Yemen army officials admitted that some of the “civilians” are actually people who “volunteered” to fight for the government!

17 May 2012, two or three suspected Mujahideen were killed by U.S. drone strike in Yemen.

15 May 2012, seven Mujahideen and six civilians were killed by two U.S. drone strikes in Yemen. Independent news media reports say at least 12 civilians were killed, and 21 wounded.

19 May 2012, a Pakistani recon drone crashed in Punjab Province. Technical problems were blamed.

14 May 2012, citizens of Pakistan are suing their own government for failing to stop the U.S. drone strikes: “This is the first time that victims are suing their own government for failing to protect their lives against drone strikes.”-Shahzad Akbar, Foundation for Fundamental Rights

19 may 2012, Israel has created a recon drone the size of a large butterfly. It weighs 20 grams, and is designed for use inside buildings.

Canadian news media reporting that the 2012 London Olympics will be held in a concentration camp, of sorts.  British officials plan to use all kinds of military force, including “…48,000 security forces. 13,500 troops. Surface-to-air missiles stationed on top of residential apartment buildings. A sonic weapon that disperses crowds by creating ‘head-splitting pain.’ Unmanned drones peering down from the skies. A safe zone, cordoned off by an 18-kilometre electrified fence, ringed with trained agents and 55 teams of attack dogs.”

The Toronto Star went on to point out that “Not even China in 2008 used drone planes or ringed the proceedings with a massive, high-voltage fence. But here is London, preparing a counter-insurgency, and parking an aircraft carrier right in the Thames.”

14 May 2012, the U.S. Congress is pushing for public safety agencies to use recon drones. The law was passed on February 14, 2012. Now the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has created a regulation that allows the use of recon drones under 25 pounds by local police, fire and similar “safety” agencies.

For some reason the U.S. Congress is really concerned about allowing local agencies to use lots and lots of drones.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Military pact with Australia. Yet more drug busts. More battles, dozens of Afghan/occupying troops killed. Obama says things will get worse!

“We recognize the hardship that the Afghan people have been through. Both of us recognize that we still have a lot of work to do. The loss of life continues in Afghanistan. There will be hard days ahead, but we’re confident that we’re on the right track.”-Barack Obama, President of the United States, May 20, 2012

May 21, 2012, officials in Herat Province says Italian troops drove over a mine, causing an explosion, no word on casualties.  Also, a school was attacked, leaving three students wounded.

Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry says eight Afghan troops have been killed or wounded in battles in Parwan, Paktia, Maidan Wardak and Helmand provinces.

The Afghan Interior Ministry claim that five Mujahideen were killed, and 14 captured in operations in Kabul, Parwan, Kandahar, Helmand and Zabul provinces.

After two days of not issuing their usual Joint Command morning operational update, ISAF has issued the following info: Operations to capture a “facilitator” in Kandahar Province.  Weapons and two people with five kilograms (11 pounds) of illegal drugs were captured/destroyed.

Also in Kandahar, approximately 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds) of hashish was destroyed.

In Baghlan Province weapons were captured/destroyed and an opium field was burned.  This took place on May 18, but not publicly reported by ISAF until May 21.

The morning of May 21, Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai, and Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard, signed a long term military pact at the NATO summit in Chicago, Illinois.

Australia joins India, Italy, France, United Kingdom, United States and Germany in signing long term military pacts with Afghanistan, a sign the west is not about to leave Afghanistan anytime soon.

In late reporting on May 20, 2012, ISAF revealed that two U.S./NATO troops were killed in southern Afghanistan during an attack by Mujahideen.

At least 160 U.S./NATO/occupying service members have been killed since the beginning of the year.

In Uruzgan Province, Salim Ehsas, a spokesman for 404 Maiwand Security Command, said a huge explosion rocked the town of Tarinkowt.  At least four U.S./NATO troops, and two civilians were wounded.

The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber who attacked a NATO supply convoy.  Other local sources say at least six children were wounded.

Also late on May 20, Afghan Defense Ministry officials revealed that as many as 31 of their troops had been killed or wounded in battles in a 48 hour period.

In Farah Province an offensive was launched on May 18, resulting in eight Afghan troops killed and nine wounded.  No word on Mujahideen casualties. Other military operations took place in Kapisa, Maidan Wardak, Zabul and Helmand provinces.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. troops killed. Battles continue despite recent U.S. media claims that attacks were down. NATO wants out! Your taxes going to the puppet government!

May 20, 2012, Afghan Mujahideen claim they’ve killed or wounded 17 U.S. personnel in Khost Province.  Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S. outpost on the Afghan/Pakistan border.

Afghan and ISAF officials reported they killed four Mujahideen in Kunar Province.  In Paktika Province four Mujahideen were killed as they attacked a military base.  Also local police killed two Mujahideen in a separate incident.

In Khost Province, four people were detained on suspicion of planting mines.

Reuters reporting that the NATO meeting in Chicago, Illinois, is focusing on how to get out of Afghanistan: “…the talks on Afghanistan, an unwelcome weight on countries mindful of dwindling support for a costly campaign that has not defeated the Taliban in more than 10 years.”

Reuters reports that President Barack Obama is trying to get occupying countries to cough up $1.3 billion USD, per year, to be given to the puppet government of Afghanistan!

Canadian news media reporting that the actual amount is $4.1 billion per year: “What I’m hoping to see is a commitment to resourcing the Afghan national security forces post-2014.”-U.S. Admiral James Stavridis, NATO Supreme Allied Commander for Europe

Australia, Germany and United Kingdom have already pledged at least $100 million per year, and now it looks like Canada will pony up.  Former Canadian officials said that if Canada does pledge money to the puppet government in Afghanistan, it will not be done through NATO!

However, one defense expert, Roland Paris, said the current Canadian government is unpredictable: “The prime minister has been full of surprises on this file over the past number of years. There have been significant changes without advance warning.”

BBC is reporting that the United Kingdom will keep a small number of Red Coats in Afghanistan after the 2014 pullout date. Up to 200 British special forces could stay to help the puppet government fight “terrorism”.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Afghans say cops behind violence. More explosions and deaths. France to support puppet government in a “different way”.

May 19, 2012, in Afghanistan’s Khost province at least 13 people were killed by a suicide bomber.  The target of the bomber was a police check point.

In Kandahar Province two would be suicide bombers were captured.  Officials say they confessed and said they were trained in Pakistan.

Seek & destroy/capture operations were conducted in Kabul, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Baghlan, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul and Uruzgan provinces.

Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry said Afghan and U.S./NATO occupying forces captured a suicide bomber on a motorcycle in Farah Province, on May 18.

Battles also raged in several provinces.  Afghan and occupying forces killed nine Mujahideen throughout Afghanistan in the past 24 hours.

Afghan officials say two of their soldiers were killed, and six wounded in Farah Province.  One killed and two wounded in Helmand, and, one killed and one wounded in Kapisa provinces.

Afghan officials claim they captured three members of the Mahaz Mullah Dadullah group.  They are Mujahideen believed to be connected to the  “Taliban”, however, Taliban reps claim no such group is connected to them.

The Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan issued a new report that says U.S. supported corrupt police are behind a lot of the violence in Afghanistan.

The report does say that some provinces have become stable after the creation of local police forces, but in other provinces violence has gotten worse: “… causing further insecurity and human rights violations. Many of such cases as murdering, robbery, extortion, insecurity and disorder, rape and harassment of people is mentioned in this report.”

New French President, Francois Hollande, reminded U.S. and NATO that he was pulling out French troops early, but said France will support the occupation of Afghanistan in other ways: “We will continue to support Afghanistan in a different way. I’m pretty sure I will find the right means so that our allies can continue with their mission and at the same time I can comply to the promise I made to the French people.”

For the second day in a row ISAF did not issue their usual 24 hour Joint Command Morning operational update.

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Money for Taliban coming from United States? 158 U.S./NATO troops killed. More airstrikes. Turkey to train police.

May 18, 2012, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said two U.S./NATO personnel were killed during a Mujahideen attack, in eastern Afghanistan.  ISAF SOP means they don’t give anymore info.

At least 158 occupying personnel, including 110 U.S. troops, 20 British soldiers and 28 soldiers from other occupying member countries, have been killed since January 2012.

In Maidan Wardak Province a U.S./NATO airstrike was called in after Mujahideen were spotted laying mines.  The airstrike took place at about 02:00 hours. According to local officials, the airstrike killed at least five Mujahideen, plus three were killed later on.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs of Afghanistan announced that 500 police trainees will be sent to Turkey for training.   The announcement was made after another group of 500 cops returned from the six months course in Turkey. So why is the U.S. there, and why is the U.S. spending tax dollars paying for police training?

May 17, 2012, the United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions on two people in Afghanistan, for supporting the Taliban with money. The sanctions are meant to target financial sources within the United States!

However, the evidence Treasury officials used was old.  The most recent money transfer was made in 2002, when one of the men was paid $500,000 USD to buy a factory.  The money supposedly came from Osama bin Laden.

Treasury officials also said that during the late 1990s to 2001, when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, about $2.8 million USD was transferred out of European banks to the two men.  The two men acted as banks, in order for the Taliban government to avoid sanctions.

The sanctions against the two men are meant to block any transactions involving U.S. banks, or individuals living in the U.S.  In a round-a-bout way the U.S. Treasury has revealed that one major source of financing for the Taliban was the United States!

So far, no 24 hour, ISAF Joint Command Morning operational update for May 18, 2012.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Soldiers killed. U.S./NATO kills civilians. Governor attacked. More drug busts. British planting IEDs?

May 17, 2012, the governor’s office in Afghanistan’s Farah Province has been attacked by suicide bombers.  As many as 11 people killed.

Reports say that after the explosions there was a two hour firefight between Mujahideen and Afghan forces.  At least nine people were wounded.  The dead include Mujahideen, police and civilians. The governor somehow survived the attack.

An Afghan national army soldier was killed when Mujahideen attacked in Badakhshan Province.

Two Afghan national army soldiers were wounded in Kunar Province.  Another soldier wounded in Helmand Province.

A Scottish soldier, on trial in the United Kingdom for killing a fellow soldier in 2009, stated that he had never been trained for night fighting.  But get this, he swears that the people he was shooting at were digging by a road, as if they were planting mines in the middle of the night. In fact his fellow soldiers thought they were the enemy as well: “We were all in agreement that there were insurgents laying or arming an IED in the road.”-Lance Corporal Michael Pritchard

Turned out those suspected Mujahideen were really British troops!  What are British troops doing digging by the road at night?

U.S./NATO forces have killed civilians yet again.  Reports out of Afghanistan are confusing, but sometime in the past week an airstrike killed five civilians and wounded two others.  It included women and children.  The attack took place in Kunar Province, and ISAF originally reported four Mujahideen killed.

But from the beginning locals said most of those killed were women and children. The U.S./NATO attack took place just days after NATO apologized for killing civilians the week before.

According to the United Nations, the number of civilians killed in Afghanistan hit a record high of 3,021 in 2011.  So much for the U.S. occupation making Afghanistan more secure!

24 hour, ISAF Joint Command Morning operational update for May 17, 2012: More seek & capture missions for “leaders” and “facilitators”, in the provinces of Paktika, Paktia, Kunduz, Kandahar and Helmand.  They claim “several” Mujahideen captured.

In Paktia Province, Afghan and occupying forces came under heavy attack and called in airstrikes. International Security Assistance Force claims “multiple” Mujahideen killed/captured.

In Helmand Province ISAF reports yet more drugs busted; 1,130 kilograms (2,480 pounds) of opium.  Unlike previous drug busts where everything is supposedly destroyed, U.S./NATO troops decided that “A portion of the cache was confiscated for analysis…”

To show that ISAF’s 24 hour report is not up to date, they reported the end of a 10 day search & capture offensive in Farah Province.  The operation ended on May 13, and resulted in Mujahideen captured, along with weapons and drugs. (this is the same province that just had the governor’s compound attacked)

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Australia to give Afghanistan $100 million per year! U.S. to pay Pakistan $365 million per year! Germany to pay $190 million per year! Tribal leaders assassinated. U.S./NATO/Afghan forces on offensive. More big drug busts.

May 16, 2012, in Afghanistan’s Herat Province three village elders were assassinated.  They were shot while attending morning prayers in a Mosque.  A fourth elder was wounded.

In Uruzgan Province a tribal elder, and his son, were assassinated by gunman on a motorcycle.

To show you how important the U.S./NATO supply route through Pakistan is, Pakistani officials revealed that the United States has agreed to give Pakistan an additional $365 million USD per year to re-open supply routes!  Those supply routes have been shut down for the past six months.

It works out to about $1,500 USD per supply truck, per day.  In return, not only will Pakistan re-open the supply routes, but their military will provide the convoys with security (which they have not done before).

According to Pentagon sources, as much as 30% of U.S./NATO supplies for Afghanistan operations pass through Pakistan.

Australia’s Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, announced that beginning in 2015 Australia will give Afghanistan $100 million (Aussie and British media reports did not specify if it was in AUD or USD) per year, for three years: “To consolidate and build on the security gains of the transition strategy, the Afghan National Security Forces will need ongoing funding and training and mentoring support…” 

On top of that she also said that the Australian government will consider keeping special operations forces in Afghanistan, after most of their Diggers leave at the end of 2014.

Germany has also announced they will be bribing, I mean paying, the Afghan government $190 million USD per year, after German troops leave in 2014.  The deal was just signed by Hamid Karzai and Angela Merkel.  The German Chancellor said the West is planning on staying a long time: “This shows we are committed to Afghanistan in the long term.”

These pledges of hundreds of millions of USDs is on top of what our Western governments are already giving the U.S. puppet governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan!

With the economies of the Western countries collapsing, it makes you wonder where they’re gonna get all this money they’re pledging for Afghanistan?

Afghan government officials claiming major offensive against Mujahideen.  In Helmand Province on May 15, they captured nine tons of explosives.  Officials claim three people were spotted laying mines, and a U.S./NATO airstrike was called in, killing them.

On May 16, in Paktika Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike was called in when Afghan and NATO forces came under heavy fire.  Afghan officials revealed that a major offensive was launched on May 14, and will continue until all Mujahideen are cleared from the province.  They say at least nine Mujahideen were killed by the airstrike.

Afghan Interior Ministry officials also claim that in the past 24 hours of their offensive in Paktika, as well as Badakhshan Province, they’ve killed at least 14 Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, Afghan army claims they killed a potential suicide bomber before he could carry out his mission.

24 hour, ISAF Joint Command Morning operational update for May 16, 2012: ISAF reports more attempts/successes to capture “leaders” in Helmand and Kunduz provinces.

ISAF also reports that occupation troops came under attack when they launched a drug bust operation in Helmand Province.  Mujahideen were killed.

The drug bust yielded more than 5,000 kilograms (11,000 pounds) of morphine waste, 400 kilograms (880 pounds) of ammonium chloride, 400 kilograms of morphine base and 4,000 liters (1,057 gallons) of liquid morphine.

ISAF claims that all items captured in drug busts are destroyed.

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3: Oil in Afghanistan! U.S. will stay until 2024. More school kids poisoned. New military pact with Germany. General Allen leaving.

“Pakistan and other regional countries should carefully study the strategic pact and make sure that United States will have a long term commitment to Afghanistan, and Washington will continue its cooperation with the Afghan government until 2024.”

May 15, 2012, U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Ryan Crocker, made that statement in Nangarhar Province.  It subtly threatens Pakistan, and shows that the U.S. is planning on being in Afghanistan for a long time.

Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai is in Germany, to sign a new military pact with the European country.  The signing is expected to take place on May 16, then Karzai will fly to the U.S. to take part in the NATO summit there.

In Khost Province, dozens of students have been poisoned at Warzai high school.  At least 52 students are in local hospital in serious condition.

U.S. Marine Corps General John Allen, the top commander in Afghanistan, will leave to take command of U.S. forces in Europe, next year.  Unnamed Obama administration sources said they wanted to transfer Allen by this coming winter, but advizors considered it premature.

No replacement, for General Allen’s position in Afghanistan, has been picked.

24 hour, ISAF Joint Command Morning operational update for May 15, 2012: More search and capture missions for “leaders” and “facilitators”.

ISAF reports several “suspects” were captured.

Afghan officials report three Afghan troops were killed when they ran over a mine.  Another soldier was wounded in a separate incident.

Operations were conducted in Paktika, Herat, Logar, Helmand, Uruzgan, Nangarhar and Khost provinces.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines announced they will begin pumping oil from the northern Amu River, within five months.  The expect to pump 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) at first, and then max it out at 45,000 bpd!

“Four rivers gush forth from Paradise: the Euphrates, the Nile, the Sayhan, and the Jayhan [aka Vaksu, Gozan, Oxus, Amu Darya, Amu River].”
(Musnad, II, 260-261)