22 November 2012

Red Coat British officials issued a statement concerning their creation of the disputed Durand Line. The British took land away from Afghanistan in order to create a buffer zone between Afghanistan and British controlled India in 1893.  Latter the British kept that area as part of the new Pakistan in 1947.  Afghan officials have refused to recognize the Durand Line, and it is the reason for the growing tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  The U.S. Obama administration recently stated they support the British created Durand Line.   Britain and the U.S. hope the dispute between the Afghans and the artificially (British) created Pakistan can be resolved without war.  Apparently there is concern that after the 2014 U.S./NATO pullout that Afghanistan will try to take their land back by force.  To give you an idea of how sensitive the issue is to Afghans, the British embassy officials did not hold a public press conference, but issued their statement by video conference.  But, when asked specifically about the Durand Line this is what they said: “Both Islamabad and Kabul understand Britain’s stance on Durand Line but I believe that it is not an appropriate time to disclose it in media considering the current situation.”-Adam Thomson, British envoy to Pakistan

21 November 2012

It looks like President Karzai is getting serious about his threats against the U.S. control of Bagram Prison: “The report presented to the President concluded that the MoU signed on the transfer of the Bagram prison to Afghan sovereignty has not been fully implemented by the Americans with instances of serious breach of the agreement noticed.”-report made to President Karzai by Afghan Attorney General and Ministry of Defense

Karzai then issued two orders: “Urgent actions must be taken to set free all the inmates that need to be released as per Afghanistan applicable laws……All those who have been imprisoned by the Americans after the signing of the MoU and which stands contrary to its provisions, must be transferred to Afghan side without any delay!”

Despite Karzai’s concerns over Afghans being held by the United States, he didn’t hesitate in signing rare execution orders for dozens of prisoners.  Unnamed Afghan officials say the executions involve people who are believed to be Mujahideen.  Mujahideen stated they will retaliate for the execution of any fellow freedom fighter.  The retaliation warning was specific about who would be targeted: “…heavy repercussions for lawmakers, courts and other related circles of the Kabul administration.”

In Kabul Province, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was attacked with: “…light and heavy weapons attacked an important office of the CIA in the center of Kabul and the fighting is continuing. The enemy has suffered heavy losses but a precise number can’t be determined at this time.”-Mujahideen statement

Kabul city officials confirmed the attack, saying two people were killed, one wounded.  A spokesperson for International Security Assistance Force said one ISAF vehicle was damaged.  The attack involved a suicide bomber, and took place near the U.S. embassy and the residence of an official with the Afghan Supreme Court.  Mujahideen say the target was the CIA.

For some reason, news of what’s happening in Afghanistan began drying up after 20 November.  And that even includes information from Mujahideen sources.

20 November 2012

In Ghazni Province, a local government supported militia, known as Arbakiyan, have been kidnapping and murdering people. In the most recent case, in Shulgar district, they assassinated a religious scholar and two other people.

In Kandahar Province, local government officials in Shahwalikot district report that  U.S./NATO personnel began a heliborne operation at 07:00 hours.  They say the ISAF raiders hit the villages of Faryaan, Shalizara, Gombat, Musa Karez and Haji Khel.  They destroyed homes and killed five civilians. The U.S. led operation lasted until the sun began to set.

The 2012 Afghanistan Opium Survey showed a another big year for opium farming in Afghanistan.  Despite a drop in actual opium production, and a 154% increase in government eradication, there was an increase in poppy cultivation. Overall poppy cultivation when up 18%, with some provinces seeing a huge jump in poppy fields.  Kunar Province had a 121% increase! The Survey estimates that some farmers are getting $196 USD per kilogram (2.2 pounds) for their opium!  Keep in mind it takes a lot of poppies to make 2.2 pounds of opium, so that doesn’t mean the individual farmers are getting rich.

In Kapisa Province, French troops began leaving.  The last of 400 troops left the province (they might be needed to retake the French mandate of Syria), but there are still about 2,000 French personnel in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Central Bank has revealed that billions in cash have been transferred out of Afghanistan.  For 2012 at least $3 billion USD has been illegally transfered to other countries.  Bank officials specifically named China and Korea, south, but said other countries were involved.  In 2011 $4.6 billion was stolen from Afghanistan’s banks by other countries.  To me this looks like Afghanistan is being used as a giant money laundering operation for crooked government officials around the world, and it’s the taxpayers of those countries that’re paying the price!