Britain could start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as early as next year, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on July 21, 2010. Britain has said it wants to withdraw the bulk of its 9,500 troops from the war zone within five years, in line with an international desire to give Afghans full control of their security by the end of 2014. The United States, which has sent most of the foreign troops to Afghanistan, hopes to start bringing troops home from July 2011. However, a spokesman for Hezb-i-Islami (HIA), led by Gulbadin Hekmatyar, said he doubted the credibility The West. Abdullah Kamawal said their conditions, particularly the removal of HIA leaders from UN sanctions, must be met before any peace talks. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#01). Kabul conference ends with renewed support for Afghanistan Afghanistan Daily Review, July 21, 2010 In a resolution issued at the end of the conference, participants agreed to support the Afghan government's peace initiative and reconciliation program with armed opposition groups. The 32-point resolution, which was read by Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal, also said the participants had their say. support for directing 50 percent of the funds contributed by the international community to Afghanistan. In the resolution, the participants also emphasized continued support for the Afghan National Security Forces, good governance, economic development and strengthening of regional cooperation. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen gave the alliance strong support in his speech, saying that "the military alliance will remain in Afghanistan even after the Afghan security forces take over security." Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#01). China has contributed more than 900 million yuan (over 123 million US dollars) in addition to waiving 19.5 million US dollars. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#01). US surge not helping Afghanistan: Iran FM Daily Outlook Afghanistan, July 21, 2010 Iran's foreign minister said the surge of US troops into Afghanistan has failed to stabilize the country, speaking at a key international conference attended by his American counterpart . Iranian President Manouchehr Mottaki told the crowd that Nato and US troops had failed to defeat the Taliban nine years after the fall of their Islamist regime, but had instead exacerbated violence in Afghanistan. He said Western troops, expected to peak at 150,000 in a few weeks, were the cause of "insecurity, violence and discontent among the Afghan public". Mottaki also blamed "Western money laundering systems" for the rise in drug production in Afghanistan, Iran's eastern neighbor. Washington has in the past accused Tehran of providing low-level aid to some militants in Afghanistan, but former NATO commander in Afghanistan Stanley McChrystal said in May that most of Tehran's role was legitimate. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#01). Soldiers Trapped in Afghanistan Huffington Post, July 24, 2010 Marines have gone missing in a dangerous area in eastern Afghanistan, prompting a massive air and ground search and appeals on local radio stations for their safe return, NATO said and Afghan officials. The New York Times reports that the two were soldiers, according to local residents and officials. Taliban captured: The Taliban reportedly claimed responsibility for the capture of the two Americans, but Mr. Darwish said local officials knew little more. We don't know what their demands are," he said. Kabul tops agenda of Nirupama's visit to Russia. Times of India, 25 July 2010. Hot on the heels of a security meeting in Kabul, External Affairs Minister Nirupama Rao will travel to Moscow next week where will hold talks with the Russians on the issue of a political solution in Afghanistan.Highly placed government sources said on Wednesday that India and Russia are on the same page in the sense that both believe there can be no good Taliban and that Rao's visit will further probe , the extent to which the two countries can work together to deal with the emerging situation in Kabul. The Russians are clearly allergic to getting on the ground in Afghanistan, but they are a very important player in the region. They can use their sphere of influence in the region to ensure transit in Afghanistan. We are looking at how we can work with Moscow on this issue," the official said. Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Kabul-to-top-agenda-on-Nirupamas-Russia-trip/articleshow /6212491.cms) Praising the Afghan government and people for successfully holding a major international conference, the European Union on Sunday pledged 400 million euros over the next three years for the development of various Afghan sectors. EU Special Representative to Afghanistan Vygaudas Usackas told a press conference in Kabul that the aid would be used to develop the agriculture and health sectors and to build the capacity of Afghan officials. He supported decisions taken at a conference in Kabul, attended by representatives of 70 countries and international organizations, which confirmed President Hamid Karzai's goal that Afghan forces must conduct security operations throughout the country by 2014. Agreements, including security, they show that Afghans have the potential to run any affairs effectively and have the ability to run their own country,” Usackas said. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/index1.html#). US Reaffirms Support for Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks on Way Forward Afghanistan Daily Outlook July 26, 2010 The United States has renewed its support for Pakistan-Afghanistan dialogue toward better ties and shared goals of peace and stability, with a top diplomat saying the US the policy in this regard, which also takes regional aspects into account, is making progress. This is a good thing, not a bad thing. because they didn't have a dialogue, you couldn't get anywhere," emphasized Richard Holbrooke, US special representative for the region. He was commenting on recent talks between Pakistani and Afghan leaders, including a meeting in Kabul between Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President Hamid Karzai. Holbrooke, who was speaking against the backdrop of recent progress in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, including the conclusion of a trade agreement between the two neighbours, blamed the previous Bush administration for its failure to promote Pakistan-Afghanistan ties. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#02). US Afghanistan policy keeps Indian interests in mind: Holbrooke Daily Outlook Afghanistan, July 27, 2010. Tens of thousands of previously unseen military and intelligence logs from six years of war in Afghanistan have revealed what many suspected was once an under-the-radar alliance and with little responsibility. The documents, revealed by the online whistleblower Wikileaks and shared a few weeks earlier with three media outlets - The Guardian, The New York Times and the German news magazine Der Spiegel - detail unreported civilian casualties, secret strike forces, undisciplined Afghan security. forces, the escalation of Taliban attacks and Pakistan's growing influence with the Taliban. Most are military diaries, entries by soldiers in the field, while others are confidential notes between diplomats and intelligence agents. Not all were released by Wikileaks, whose founder Julian Assange has not said where he got the information. The White House condemned their release, saying it endangered the lives of Americans, our partners and the local population working with us, and said the logs did not reflect the administration's current efforts in Afghanistan, which it blamed on Barack Obama's long-standing neglect by his predecessor, George W. .Bush. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#02).
An aide to Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai has said victory in the war on terrorism will remain elusive as long as Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is not reined in. Even as the White House attempts to defuse the row at home over WikiLeak's projected leak of 91,000 US military documents containing information about the war in Afghanistan, in Kabul, Waheed Omar, a spokesman for President Karzai, said bluntly: "The war against terrorism will not succeed unless we address the root causes. Source: http://newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/171076). The White House has reacted angrily to what could be the most massive leak in history. secret documents - release of 92,000 classified reports providing a daily diary of the war in Afghanistan from January 2004 to December 2009.” The US strongly condemns the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organizations that could harm the lives of Americans and our partners are at risk and threaten our national security," General Jim Jones, President Barack Obama's national security adviser, said in a statement. react to WikiLeak.org release of documents Minority leaders quit government, fear civil war in Afghanistan Daily Outlook Afghanistan July 27, 2010 A growing number of Afghan minority leaders who once participated fully in the government of President Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai, have said that his move to negotiate with the Taliban has alienated and marginalized them and feared that it could lead to civil war in the region. According to the Washington Post, leaders of the Tajik, Hazara and Uzbek minorities, who who were once closely associated with Karzai, have expressed concern that Karzai is marginalizing them in efforts to reach a peace deal with the insurgents. Amarullah Saleh, the man who served as Karzai's top intelligence official for six years, has launched a campaign to warn Afghans that Karzai has lost faith in the fight against the Taliban and is recklessly pursuing a political deal with the insurgents. Source: http://outlookafghanistan.net/news_Pages/main_news.html#02). Afghan President Hamid Karzai questioned the willingness of his Western allies to strike insurgent bases in Pakistan, given strong evidence of alleged support in Pakistan for the Taliban. The war on terrorism is not in the villages or homes of Afghanistan. Recently, in a seminar organized by the Policy Research Institute (PRI), the Minister. for Commerce made a statement that poured cold water on the optimistic spin the Foreign Secretary had managed to give the media about the Prime Minister's state visit to India in January. The Foreign Minister had given the visit a perfect grade. She also spoke at a number of seminars organized to mark the visit. In these seminars, it was brilliantly articulated, based on the agreements and the Joint Communiqué of the visit, to convince everyone that Bangladesh-India relations were ready for a paradigm shift for the better to the mutual benefit of the two countries. Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=147935).
Bangladesh Army following model of Pak Army Daily Star, July 24, 2010
1971 war criminals’ trial soon: Hasina Sify News, July 24, 2010
Bangladesh ahead of India, Nepal Daily Star, July 25, 2010
Arrest warrants against Bangladesh Islamists Hindustan Times, July 26, 2010
Bangladesh signs landmark power deal with India Economic Times, July 27, 2010
ULFA militant, aide held in Meghalaya Sify News, July 28, 2010
Court restores ‘secularism’ in Bangladesh constitution Sify News, July 30, 2010
Bangladesh apex court wants safeguards against military rule Sify News, July 30, 2010
Assam flood
Bhutan
Protesters block India-Bhutan road Hindustan Times, July 21, 2010
No truth in Telegraph report: KHPC The Kuensel, July 22, 2010
Kurichu - Favourite whipping boy The Kuensel, July 24, 2010
Cabinet to decide subsidy level The Kuensel, July 26, 2010
Founding a knowledge-society Kuensel, July 27, 2010
Imtiaz Ahmed made ambassador to Bhutan The Nation, July 30, 201030
US envoy to mediate Maldives political talks Haveeru, July 21, 2010
Maldives
Deadlocked Paradise Lanka Business, July 23, 2010
No joke, we will impeach President Nasheed, vows DRP MPs Asian Tribune, July 27, 2010
Nepal election stalemate a setback for Maoists Christisn Science Monitor, July 21, 2010
Nepal
Nepal to hold poll for Premier again The Hindu, July 22, 2010
Pak-Nepal plan free trade pact: Report Hindustan Times, July 24, 2010
Nepal’s defense minister signals for stop salary to the Maoist’s army Review Nepal, July 24, 2010
Nepal FM bats for India again, claims MRP deal with France non- transparent
US hopes Nepal government formed quickly Sify News, July 24, 2010
India keeps close watch on Kosi, ‘Bihar’s sorrow’
Nepal FM bats again for India, claims MRP deal with France opaque. Nepal's official media said on Monday. Source: http://sify.com/news/india-keeps-close-watch-on-kosi-bihar-s-sorrow-news- international-kh0o4bihgaf.html).
All is not well, Crack noticed in new Nepal Madhesi Front Telegraph Nepal, July 26, 2010
PM election impasse rankles prez Kathmandu Post, July 26, 2010
Minister inspects Gandak embankment My Republica, July 27, 2010
Nepal's official media said on Monday. Source: http://sify.com/news/india-keeps-close-watch-on-kosi-bihar-s-sorrow-news- international-kh0o4bihgaf.html).
China presses Nepal to curb pro-Tibet activities Hindustan Times, July 28, 2010
Reintegration of ex-Maoists in Nepal conditional’
Nidhi hopes Nepal Madhesh alliance vote in NC favor Telegraph Nepal, July 29, 2010
Indian envoy Rakesh Sood soothes Nepal UML’s Khanal?
Normalcy returns to Indo-Nepal border Hindustan Times, July 30, 2010
Don’t interfere in Nepal’s internal affairs: Sushil to UNMIN Telegraph Nepal, July 30, 2010
Water Dispute Increases India-Pakistan Tension New York Times, July 21, 2010
India-Pakistan talks can never succeed, says former NSA Brajesh Mishra Sify News, July 21, 2010
NATO chief praises Pakistan’s regional role Reuters, July 21, 2010
Pakistan
Taliban ties at heart of conference National Post, July 21, 2010
No Indian goods to be allowed to Afghanistan through Pakistan Daily Times, July 21, 2010
US asks India not to make Headley’s disclosures public Daily Times, July 22, 2010
Pakistan calls for joint monitoring of Afghan border Daily Times, July 22, 2010
Krishna concedes Pillai’s ISI statement was ‘ill-timed’
US concerned over ISI-Taliban link Deccan Herald, July 22, 2010
LeT as dangerous as Taliban, Al-Qaeda: Holbrooke Deccan Herald, July 22, 2010
We understand, as a government, that it (LeT) is a threat and we talk about it all the time with the Pakistani military (asking them) to deny their territory to this organization," said Holbrooke, who arrived here yesterday after a visit. In Islamabad. The special envoy said: “We all know what (LeT) did and what they want to do.” He identified LeT as part of the terrorist conglomerate that includes the Afghan Taliban , the Pakistani Taliban and the Haqqani network. The Taliban have become almost a brand," he noted. Under intense pressure, these groups seem to be getting closer to each other. Two or three years ago, they were more distinct than they are now," Holbrooke said. He said these groups work more closely and help each other as their long-term objective is similar - to undermine Western ideologies and create "problems maximum between India and Pakistan.Source: http://www.deccanherald.com/content/83032/let-dangerous-taliban-al-qaeda.html).
Pak needs to do much more against Haqqani network for Afghan peace
Holbrooke
India agrees to allow Pak inspection of J-K hydropower plants News Track India, July 24, 2010
Only politics of reconciliation can resolve issues: PM Daily Times, July 26, 2010
Karzai-Kayani dialogue ‘a good thing’: Holbrooke Daily Times, July 26, 2010
PML-N thrashed in Sargodha by-polls, fails to re-win seat Daily Times, July 27, 2010
US military aid to Pakistan could be used against India: Antony Daily Times, July 27, 2010
AJK PM resigns, blames federal govt Daily Times, July 27, 2010
Elements in Pakistan provoking J&K protests: Maken The Hindu, July 28, 2010
US Congress rejects pullout of troops from Pakistan Dawn, July 29, 2010
Obama Reviews Afghanistan-Pakistan Situation RTT News, July 30, 2010
Cameron sparks ‘terror’ row with Pakistan Daily Times, July 30, 2010
Water in Mangla Dam at dangerous level Daily Times, July 30, 2010
Pakistanis See India as Biggest Threat: Survey Wall Street Journal, July 30, 2010
India should talk with Pakistan over Kashmir: Haqqani Daily Times, July 30, 2010
Sri Lanka opposition leader says government taking steps to resolve ethnic issue
PM, Karunanidhi’s letters on Sri Lankan Tamils’ plight a drama Sify News, July 22, 2010
Vietnam to establish diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka Colombo Page, July 25, 2010
US Backs UN Panel on Sri Lanka; Robert Blake Says Nidahasa, July 25, 2010
Sri Lanka
British Tamils seek boycott of defiant Sri Lanka Tamil Net, July 25, 2010
A senior Indian official to visit Sri Lanka to assess progress of resettlement
Lanka to oppose Ban’s re-election Daily Mirror, July 28, 2010
Majority of Tamil diaspora backing government’s efforts: Sri Lanka The Hindu, July 30, 2010
15 Sri Lankan fishermen apprehended by Indian Coast Guard:Three fishing boats seized
