SWAT VALLEY TRAGEDY

BECAUSE OF CRUEL,IGNORANT,THUGS AND CRIMINAL TALIBAN PEOPLE IN SWAT ARE SUFFERING.

The real Afghan problem

Peshawar police launch operation against militants

PSYCHO TALIBAN...
PESHAWAR: Backed by armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and artillery, the capital city police on Saturday kicked off an operation in areas bordering the troubled Mohmand Agency, arresting 15 militants.Also, unidentified miscreants fired 10 rockets at Adezai village near Darra Adamkhel.Encouraged by a change in strategy of the Army in Swat, large contingents of the police and the security forces moved forward in Bari Koroona, Bela, Mohmandan, Mathra and Qilla Shah Baig early on Saturday to push the militants back. Militants had sneaked into this part of the provincial capital from the Mohmand Agency and the area had become a “no-go zone”, with militants in large numbers operating there for the past many months.“During the operation, the forces arrested at least 15 militants, identified as Malik Shad, Naeem, Said, Lal Rahim, Riaz Khan, Abdul Wali, Tawab Sher, Fazal Rahim, Rahim Sher, Sultan Sher, Fazal Maula, Jamroz, Tahir, Javed and Obaidullah,” Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-Operations) Abdul Ghafoor Afridi told reporters. The deputy city police chief said a crackdown would be launched in other areas against all those posing a threat to peace in the provincial metropolis. Earlier, militants fired 10 rockets at the residence of Abdul Malik, the Nazim of Adezai Union Council, located close to the turbulent Darra Adamkhel.

PAKISTAN'S RICH POLITICIANS OF POOR COUNTRY

Richest and poorest senators: Country’s leaders divided between rich and poor
Swati appears to be richest senator with billions of rupees in assets * JUI-F senator among poorest leaders with Rs 30,000 in account......
ISLAMABAD: The returns filed before the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by the country’s senators have revealed a glaring contrast among the country’s leaders, as some have declared themselves in crippling debt, while others have declared assets worth billions of rupees.

Jamiat-e-Ulema-Fazl (JUI-F) Senator and Science and Technology Minister Azam Swati appears to be the richest with properties worth billions of rupees abroad. In his details, Swati has declared immovable assets of Rs 247.60 million in Pakistan and $1.640 million in the US. He also has two under-construction towers in the UAE that have been valued at 12 million dirhams and property worth 8 million UAE dirhams. He also owns millions of dollars and other foreign currency accounts in foreign and local banks. However, he has liabilities of $1.1 million payable to US banks as loans.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Ishaq Dar is also among the declared wealthy senators. His immovable property in Pakistan is estimated at Rs 49.50 million, while he owns a villa in the UAE valued at 7.04 million dirhams. His movable assets include four vehicles; two of them Mercedes. He also has millions in movable assets of investments and bank accounts. There is no liability on Dar.

Former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Javed Ashraf Qazi has declared immovable properties worth Rs 19.1 million in addition to Rs 6.090 million movable properties. He also has deposits worth millions in local and foreign currency accounts. Senator Talha Mahmood of the JUI-F has declared immovable property, including three houses and a plot at Rs 500 million with Rs 114 million in movable assets. His liabilities stand at Rs 150 million. PML-Q Secretary General Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed has declared Rs 35,000 in his own assets while the remained of property, including 50 acres of agricultural land; 600 yards plot and a luxury house in Islamabad are either owned by his wife or shared by his two brothers. A Suzuki car worth 0.3 million is also owned by his wife.

JUI-F Secretary General Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri has a house and plot worth Rs 0.4 million and 0.15 million, respectively along with furniture valued at Rs 0.1 million only. He has declared no other assets.

Ratna Bhagwandas Chawla, a female senator elected on the minorities seat, has no immovable property. However, she has loans and advances worth Rs 147 million. She possesses Rs 2.409 million in her bank accounts and deposits.

Poorest: Senator Maulana Gul Naseeb is also amongst the poorer members, with only Rs 30,000 in his bank account. He has no other movable or immovable property

Karzai to visit Pakistan shortly

PESHAWAR: President Hamid Karzai will soon pay a visit to Pakistan, the Afghan foreign ministry spokesman said Saturday.The spokesman, Sultan Ahmad Baheen, told Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) that the Afghan president would soon visit Pakistan on the invitation of President Asif Ali Zardari.Asked whether the visit of Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar Spanta to Islamabad had any link with President Karzai’s trip to Pakistan, Baheen said: “Mr Spanta visited Pakistan to work out modalities and set the agenda for President Karzai’s visit.” The spokesman said there were two important items on the agenda including the joint efforts against terrorism and enhancement of cooperation between the two countries at regional and international level.Meanwhile, a British soldier was killed during a Taliban attack in the Musa Qala district in Helmand province Saturday. This brought to 143 the number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since deployment of the troops from Britain in the country. A total of 22 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan during the month of January in 2009.According to the AIP, a pro-government tribal elder Haji Payanda Khan was killed in a firing incident involving foreign troops in Urgun district in Paktika province. The Paktika governor’s spokesman, Hamidullah Zwak, said the foreign forces had regretted their mistake for killing the tribal elder. Meanwhile, the Governor of Wardak province, Abdul Halim Fidai, survived a bomb explosion in Ambukhak area in Chak district. He was travelling with members of the provincial council when his car was hit by a landmine. Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said occupants of the vehicle were killed and that the Governor had been injured.

50 million could be jobless: ILO

NEW YORK: Two years of global financial and economic meltdown could leave over 50 million more people unemployed by the end of 2009, risking social unrest, the International Labour Organization warned.New estimates indicate that "global unemployment in 2009 could increase over 2007 by a range of 18 million to 30 million workers, and more than 50 million if the situation continues to deteriorate," the ILO said in a statement.That could raise the world's jobless total to 198 million, or 230 million people in the worst case scenario, according to the figures in the ILO's report, "Global Employment Trends 2009".In 2007, some 179 million people were out of work, according to the report.Officials were more inclined to a middle range scenario of 30 million job losses for 2007-2009, raising the worldwide unemployment tally to 210 million. That could propel the global unemployment rate to an average of 6.5 per cent, or 7.1 per cent in the worst case, for this year, against 5.7 percent in 2007.
The report indicated that 190 million people were jobless by the end of 2008 after 11 million jobs were shed around the world last year alone, based on a combination of official national data and estimates. The ILO figures indicated that developed economies would be hit the hardest with the fastest rise in unemployment rates, from an average of 5.7 per cent in 2007 up to 6.6-7.9 percent in 2009.The report estimated that last year the developed economies and European Union failed to create jobs in 2008, while unemployment picked up sharply to 6.2 per cent, ending five consecutive years of decline.But East Asia, which had the lowest regional unemployment rate at 3.5 per cent in 2007, was forecast to experience a jump to 4.5-5.5 percent in a year.
The crisis could also push another 200 million workers into extreme poverty as they eke out a living in informal, underpaid and unstable work, especially in Africa and South Asia, the ILO predicted.

Kabul faces crisis over election delay

KABUL (NNI): Afghanistan could soon face a constitutional crisis, with Hamid Karzai's term as president of the war-torn country due to expire before new elections are held. The president's term ends in May under the constitution, but the Independent Election Commission said last week that polls could not be organised in time because of snow-blocked roads and security concerns, reports Financial Times. Mirwais Yasini, deputy parliamentary spokesman, said elections were unlikely to be held until after Ramadan in September, potentially opening a months-long period of uncertainty about who will be in charge. Although the country's 2004 muddled constitution leaves open the possibility of delaying elections because of unfavourable conditions, it does not address what would happen to the presidency during such time. Opposition politicians, unhappy that the election will be delayed, believe Karzai should relinquish power to a caretaker president. The constitution would suggest Sibghatullah Mojadedi, speaker of the upper house of parliament, but he has not been in good health. "There should be a provisional administration and an acting president appointed, who should be chosen by a decision of both houses of parliament and prominent national figures," said Burhanuddin Rabbani, a former president who now heads the United National Front, the country's largest opposition group. John Dempsey, a lawyer who heads up the US Institute of Peace in Kabul, said the politicians opposing Mr Karzai had a "plausible legal argument". "Whether or not Karzai stays in office beyond that [May] date, or whether a caretaker government takes over, the government could very well be facing a legitimacy crisis in the summer," he said. The spring and summer is traditionally when Taliban attacks escalate and the new US administration will be ramping up its efforts to turn round the deteriorating situation in the country. Added to this, the International Institute for Strategic Studies warned in a report that presidential elections this year would take place "amid rising violence and with a government that is unable to exert its authority in the provinces". "Against this background there is a risk that it will not be possible to hold elections; or voter turnout may be below the minimum necessary for the ballot to be valid. The integrity of the whole international mission in Afghanistan is therefore very substantially at stake." Humayun Hamidzada, a presidential spokesman, said the constitution allowed for the president to remain in office until after elections were held. "The people who say otherwise are playing at politics and are not taking account of what is in the national interest or the realities in the country." The president's office is believed to be considering seeking a Supreme Court decision to back its constitutional interpretation.

Militants getting weapons form Afghanistan: IG FC

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General Frontier Corps NWFP Maj. Gen. Tariq Khan has said that militants in SWAT and tribal areas are getting arms and financial assistance from Afghanistan. He told the Senate Committee for Defence that foreign hand was involved in worsening situation in Swat, FATA and other tribal areas.Khan said the government has approved induction of 7000 men into FC, as well as the pay scale has been brought upto that of Army scale, in order to fight militants and terrorism in the affected area. He said miscreants from Afghanistan, in connivance with local militants, were attacking forces in Pakistan. Media’s role to that regard was not appreciable, he said.

Protest in Peshawar against Wapda, Nadra

Protest in Peshawar against Wapda, Nadra
PESHAWAR: Residents of Union Council Kakshal-I, Peshawar, staged a demonstration against Wapda and Nadra here on Friday to decry the alleged non-cooperative attitude of the staff concerned.The demonstration was staged outside the Peshawar Press Club. The demonstrators were holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands and slogans against the relevant authorities. Kakshal Nazim Arshad Tandar and Naib Nazim Ibrahim Khan led the demonstrators.Addressing the demonstrators, they said area people were facing numerous problems due to Wapda and Nadra officials, who allegedly had an uncaring attitude. They said continuous and unannounced power loadshedding had multiplied the problems of residents, while excessive bills had hit the people hard.
The speakers also demanded transfer of the SDO of Kohat Road subdivision. The peakers flayed the attitude of the Nadra officials, alleging that despite attestation of documents from Nazim or MPA, the Nadra officials were not issuing the CNICs. They said the same was the case with the Passport Office staff.They demanded of the officials to issue the CNICs and passports to those who had completed the requirements. The demonstration disrupted the traffic as the demonstrators marched towards the press club from Kakshal, obstructing the flow of traffic. The vehicles were moving at snail’s pace, as the marchers did not allow the motorists to move on the busy Sher Shah Suri Road.

Erdogan Confronts Peres at the World Economic Forum

TURKISH PM RETURNS AS A HERO

Afghan Foreign Minister in Islamabad

Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta,has met with top Pakistani officials in Islamabad to discuss issues that affect both countries ahead of a visit by the new U.S. special envoy.The Pakistani foreign ministry says visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta met with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. The ministry says they expressed readiness to strengthen their cross-border cooperation on fighting terrorism and militancy.The new U.S. envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, will visit South Asia next week as the Obama administration reviews its policy on the Afghan conflict.A statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry says Qureshi hopes what it called a "military surge" in Afghanistan will be paired with a politically and developmentaly-oriented surge.The United States says it is boosting its troop strength in Afghanistan by some 30,000 soldiers.

Afghan Foreign Minister in Islamabad

Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta, 9 Jul 2008Afghanistan's foreign minister has met with top Pakistani officials in Islamabad to discuss issues that affect both countries ahead of a visit by the new U.S. special envoy.The Pakistani foreign ministry says visiting Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta met with his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, and with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari. The ministry says they expressed readiness to strengthen their cross-border cooperation on fighting terrorism and militancy.The new U.S. envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard Holbrooke, will visit South Asia next week as the Obama administration reviews its policy on the Afghan conflict.A statement from Pakistan's foreign ministry says Qureshi hopes what it called a "military surge" in Afghanistan will be paired with a politically and developmentaly-oriented surge.The United States says it is boosting its troop strength in Afghanistan by some 30,000 soldiers.

Pakhtunkhwa vs PML(N)

M Waqar
It is funny to read the statements of PML(N) leaders from Hazara over the name Pakhtunkhwa. Let me remind the PML(N) group that Nawaz Sharif is not a national leader and PML(N) should not forget that for getting ANP support when Nawaz was the Prime Minister, he promised ANP to rename NWFP as Pakhtunkhwa. These leaders from Punjab should remember that Pakistan is already at the edge of collapse because of stone age barbarians, Taliban. Today Pakhtun's blood is spilling in Swat and brave Army of Pakistan is afraid to kill these monsters of Swat valley who are denying education to Pakhtun girls, who are destroying our schools, who wants to impose their views on majority of people, who wants to live in peace and improve their lives. It is really shameful and tragic that none of these so-called politicians of PML(N) ever said anything against Taliban activities in Swat valley but they are worried about the name of Pakhtunkhwa, I don't think these so-called politicians have any moral values, today Valley of Swat is burning. Ignorant and criminal Taliban are busy killing Pakhtun people who oppose them. Many innocent people have been killed in most inhuman ways after being termed as spy. Whoever tries to resist in any manner in this area against the norms imposed by these militants is termed as an agent/spy. There are many reports that identify people beheaded and hanged on trees and poles at the unfortunate Grain chowk now identified as Khooni Chowk. Is it Islam? What these politicians of PML(N) think about these tragic events, what so-called religious leaders like Fzal and Qazi think about it? It's not the people of Hazara who are opposing the name of Pakhtunkhwa, it's the PML (N) of Nawaz brothers who are trying to divide people of this great province. Gen. Ayub Khan was born in Rehana village in Haripur District, NWFP, into a family of the Tareen tribe, The Tareens are a prominent Pashtun tribe residing in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The tribe have an influence on politics in Haripur District and Hazara area of the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, The principal language of Tareens is Pashto, which proves that people of Hazara are group of Pakhtons even if they speak different language than Pashto. On the other hand anyone who talks about the so-called referendum on this issue then they should have referendum whether Pakhtuns want to continue to live with Pakistan or Afghanistan. It seems like politicians of PML(N) are generating a new issue of hate and divide in this province. Let's not make it a political issue. One should not politicize an issue for own interests. I see no reason for denying Pukhtoons the legitimate name of their province on the grounds that this will increase ethnic tension. On the contrary, if anything, it will defuse the existing tension. Let's not forget what happened to East Pakistan when West Pakistan denied them their right of Bengali language. The problem is Pakistani politicians never learn from history. These politicians need to understand that Pakistan's imposition of Urdu on East Pakistan was a mistake. It seems like some opportunist politicians of PML(N) in the province are trying to create political tension over Pakhtunkhwa. People in Pakhtunkhwa wants to be recognized as a nationality in their own right and for this they want their living place to be named as Pakhtunkhwa. Why can Punjabis have Punjab, Sindhis Sindh , Baluchis Balochistan, but Pukhtoons can't have Pakhtunkhwa ? Why Pukhtoon are being treated like occupied Palestine who will breakaway at the first chance? and if do decide to break off , trust me with all its might, Pakistan can't prevent that. Pakistan couldn't beat Bengalis into submission and it can never force Pakhtun into submission. Its stupid that some people who consider themselves super patriotic imply that Pakhtuns are any less patriotic than themselves. Let me remind those self-declared super Pakistanis that Punjab did not have any option except joining Pakistan. Punjab had to chose between joining Pakistan. But we Pakhtun had a choice to join our brothers in Afghanistan, with whom we share not only our ancestry but our culture, our history, our tradition, and our language, but Pakhtuns decided to stay with Pakistan . How can someone from Punjab or Sindh or any other part of Pakistan give us a lecture on patriotism? I think these people are the one who needs a lesson in patriotism, because by suppressing minorities' right and denying them their identity they are weakening Pakistan not Pukhtoons. Its tragic that Pakistani politicians did not learn any lesson from history. Bengalis were at the forefront in the struggle for Pakistan but when Pakistan suppressed them and denied them their rights and their identity what happened? We all know the end result. By calling Bengalis traitors because they demanded their rights they were converted into traitors. Alas we could learn from history because if we don't, history is doomed to repeat itself. Acceptance of history is a good sign, no wonder, but learning no lesson from it is unforgivable. Pease someone help me to understand how renaming NWFP is gonna break Pakistan or divide people in this province? and please don't give me the crap about patriotism and Islamic unity. What's wrong with Pukhtoons having their identity in Pakistan like Punjabis, Sindhis, and Baluchis? Its the politicians who are making mess over the name not the people living in this province. Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are border provinces too why they are not called ,east-south, north-east or south-west provinces. Why these are calles with identity of race residing in that territory? We are unanimous on one thing that people from this province are all Pathan if all are not Pashtun. So please take back the British name and give us our own name. The usage of Pakhtunkhwa in Pakhto poetry dates back to the middle ages. The word is a combination of two words - that is Pakhtun and Khwa. Pakhtun or Pashtun is a noun while Khwa means side. Culturally there is no doubt that the land was called Pakhtunkhwa in Pakhto literature since 15th century. The word Pakhtunkhwa was also used in the modern poetry by contemporary poets like Qalandar Momand (1930-2003) long before it was suggested as the nomenclature for the NWFP. The name NWFP is certainly a misnomer today since it does not satisfy the aspirations of the people of the province. Three of the four provinces, the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, got their own identity either through their environment or inhabitants. But the NWFP has been named neither after the historical and cultural background of the inhabitants nor derived its name from environment. Since the name (NWFP) does not reflect the true ethnic identity of its inhabitants, therefore a demand for its change is a logical consequence but unfortunately the matter has been turned into a controversial issue again by so-called politicians. Those opposing the word Pakhtunkhwa argue that the name will not represent non-Pashto speaking population of the province. The argument is unjustified and impractical. There is hardly any country in the world which does not have ethnic minorities. Even in Pakistan; Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan have large number of people who do not speak the language their names ostensibly suggest. The 74 percent population of NWFP speaks Pashto as mother language in present day NWFP and the proportion will greatly increase when FATA will ultimately be merged in the province. Choosing a proper name for the province is the fundamental right of its residents. It would help strengthen the federation besides removing the sense of deprivation among people of the smallest province of the country. It is time that politicians belonging to different factions of Muslim League too come out of their mindset and start objectively treating the demands the smaller provinces. It will help us build a stronger and more vibrant federation. Instead of debating again and again over this issue, politicians are wasting their time, they should either spend their time on development of this province or quit politics. There is no need to challenge the Pakhtunkhwa issue as it has been passed with overwhelming majority in the provincial assembly, members of this assembly should discuss how to solve the problems in this province. Renaming the NWFP province to Pakhtunkhwa has a long political history in Pakistan. Pakhtoons and nationalist groups, which are passionate about naming their inhabited land after their identity as Pukhtoons, have been demanding the change of the province's name for decades. But a number of political groups and opportunist politicians are not in favour of calling NWFP as Pakhtunkhwa and they are trying to divide people in Pakhtunkhwa. These members of assembly should be discussing creating jobs, hiring police officers, opening new schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and providing clean water and electricity to their voters and keeping province safe, rid Province of violence and terror, generate productive employment for youth, provide education, healthcare, and bring progress to the doorstep of workers, farmers and small businesses, elimination of child labor etc. These are the issues people for which people have elected these assembly members to solve.

Thousands welcome Turkish PM in Istanbul on his return from Davos

Thousands of people gathered in Istanbul's Ataturk Airport to welcome Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan on his return from Davos early on Friday. (UPDATED)

Erdogan had stormed out of an angry debate on the Gaza war with Israel's President Shimon Peres at the Davos forum on Thursday. Erdogan said his reaction targeted the moderator who, he said, did not give him floor to speak.

Turkey harshly criticized Israel over its Gaza operation which left more than 1,300 people killed.

People chanted slogans and carried banners read as "The Leader of the World", "Turkey is proud of you," in a bid to extent support to Erdogan's reaction. The crowd carried Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Erdogan's plane has landed in Istanbul Ataturk Airport. He addressed the crowd and held a press conference after his arrival.

Istanbul Mayor, Kadir Topbas from Erdogan's Islamist-rooted Justice and Development Party (AKP), arrived in the airport to extent his backing to the prime minister.

The road in front of Erdogan's residence in Istanbul was covered with red carnations.

The Istanbul Municipality had extended the operation hours of underground until 3.00 a.m. and the line to the airport is free for the passengers.

EU anti-terrorist chief urges EU help for Pakistan police

BRUSSELS: The European Union's anti-terror chief urged E.U. nations Thursday to help bolster Pakistan's police force and justice system, which he said was a key to defeating terrorism there.
"This country is faced with very, very serious security problems," the E.U.'s counter-terrorism co-ordinator, Gilles de Kerchove, told members of the European Parliament.
"The government needs our support, economic support of course, but also in terms of security," he told the assembly's security and defence subcommittee in Brussels. "The needs for this are huge."
He said the security problem was most acute in the largely lawless tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, but also in the Punjab region, whose militants he described as even "more sophisticated".
De Kerchove, who recently returned from a visit to Pakistan, said that while the army could capture extremists, it had trouble stopping them returning to action.
"The military are not trained for that," he said. "They really need to move toward a law enforcement approach."
"Most of the terrorists arrested last year have been released for lack of evidence," he said. "The justice aspect should not be overlooked, and I hope to convince member states to increase assistance to actively help Pakistan."
The European Commission is to send an expert mission to Pakistan, in the late European spring or summer, to examine what the E.U. can do to help improve police forensics and crime scene analysis.
The E.U. is also debating how it can help Pakistan better confront security problems through the possible use of European development funds and assistance to the media.

DIG survives attack as Taliban spread tentacles to Saidu Sharif

MINGORA: A day after Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani visited troubled valley and issued directions to troops for surge in operation against local Taliban, militants attacked a top police administrator as thousands of people fled to safer places from the troubled areas.
DIG Malakand Shaukat Hayat was presiding a high level meeting at his office situated in Saidu Sharif, district capital, when militants loyal to Maulana Fazlullah unleashed a barrage of rockets on the office.
"Besides DIG Malakand, DPO and SP investigation were also present at the high level meeting in Chinar Inn building when Taliban attacked the venue," police sources told the Statesman.
The building was badly damaged in the attack, however, luckily the top police officials remained unhurt, sources added.
This was the firstever attack in Saidu Sharif, considerably peaceful area till now, sources added.
For about two years there were no attacks in the district capital despite the fact that Taliban had spread all over the district.
After the attack the law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched search operation.
Reportedly 14 suspected militants were arrested and huge cache of arms were recovered from their possession in the operation on Thursday from Chel Shagai area of Saidu Sharif.
Meanwhile five people were killed and 10 others wounded across the valley during shelling by the security forces on the hideouts of suspected militants.
Two men were killed when security forces opened firing on a suspected vehicle in Sperdad, Matta tehsil.Three persons including a woman were killed and 10 others hurt during shelling in Aligrama, Manglawar and Charbagh.
After surge in military operation thousands of people of troubled areas including Qambar, Manglawar and Charbagh have shifted to safer places, locals of these areas said.
"Every day dozens of families shift from the Qambar, Manglawar and Charbagh areas," witnesses said.
Due to curfew people prefer to travel on foot and use mountainous ways to reach their destinations, they added.
Meanwhile, militants targeted two security forces convoys with remote-controlled bombs in Charbagh and Kanju on Thursday, however no causalty was reported.
Sources said remote-controlled bombs hit security forces convoys in Charbagh and Kanju areas of tehsil Kabal.
An unannounced curfew has been imposed in Kanju after the attack.
Security forces pounded militants' hideouts in upper parts of tehsil Matta and Charbagh overnight.

Iceland, facing economic meltdown, tries to help neighbor Britain stay warm

LONDON (AP) — Icelanders are shipping warm woolen clothing to their needy North Atlantic neighbors in Britain.The tiny island nation has severe economic troubles of its own. But after a popular morning radio show in Reykjavik broadcast an item about elderly people in Britain unable to pay heating bills and dying as a result of the cold, they decided to do something about it.A container full of 3,000 items made from unique Icelandic wool should be in Britain by the end of next week.Neil Duncan-Jordan, who speaks for an organization representing the elderly, on Thursday called it a generous act of compassion.Iceland's banks collapsed in the fall sparking a deep economic crisis, with spiraling inflation and unemployment.

Russia, China Slam U.S. Economic System, Blame Capitalism

The premiers of Russia and China slammed the U.S. economic system in speeches Wednesday, holding it responsible for the global economic crisis.Both focused on the role of the U.S. dollar, with China's Premier Wen Jiabao calling for better regulation of major reserve currencies and Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin calling over-reliance on the dollar "dangerous."Speaking on the opening day of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, they both urged more international cooperation to escape the downturn. They also talked up the abilities of their own economies to ride out the recession. Wen said he was "confident" China would hit its 8 percent growth target for this year even though that was "a tall order."The Russian and Chinese leaders also called for cooperation with President Barack Obama, but it was a chilly reception for the new administration that reflected growing anger in economies that are now getting hit hard by a financial crisis that began with subprime mortgages sold in the U.S.Putin was characteristically blunt. He called for the development of multiple, regional reserve currencies in addition to the dollar. "Excessive dependence on a single reserve currency is dangerous for the global economy," Putin said.The Russian leader mocked U.S. businessmen who he said had boasted at last year's Davos meeting of the U.S. economy's fundamental strength and "cloudless" prospects. "Today, investment banks, the pride of Wall Street, have virtually ceased to exist," he said.Earlier, Wen called for an expansion of regulatory "coverage of the international financial system, with particular emphasis on strengthening the supervision on major reserve currencies."While Wen never named the U.S., his critique of its failings was as sweeping as Putin's. The financial crisis, he said, was "attributable to inappropriate macroeconomic policies of some economies and their unsustainable model of development characterized by prolonged low savings and high consumption; excessive expansion of financial institutions in blind pursuit of profit" — and other excesses."The entire economic growth system, where one regional center prints money without respite and consumes material wealth, while another regional centre manufactures inexpensive goods … has suffered a major setback," Putin said.Wen's comments came just days after Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner accused China of manipulating its currency for economic gain. The Chinese premier gently, but firmly warned that if Washington and Beijing chose confrontation, both would be losers.

Militancy makes Torkham-Peshawar Road dangerous

KABUL: Taimoor Khan, a young and educated Pakistani working in a private firm in Kabul, was making no bargain over taxi-fare as he wanted to reach Torkham border as early as possible to be in Peshawar before dusk.For Taimoor and hundreds of other Pakistanis and Afghans either living in Kabul or Peshawar, the Torkham-Peshawar Road is more dangerous these days than the newly built 225 kilometers long road, lying between Kabul and Torkham, owing to the recent incidents of kidnapping and alleged presence of the militants in Khyber Agency.“In the morning, I am ready to pay a maximum of 400 afghanis (Afghan currency) as fare but after 10:00 a.m., I am not ready to take any risk,” the 35-year-old Pakistani told this scribe while travelling in a luxury car from Kabul to Torkham on Thursday. An average fare of motorcar, carrying four commuters from Kabul to Torkham, is between 400 to 450 afghanis but the Afghan drivers are exploiting the situation when the intended passengers reached in or before the noon. A coaster charges 175 afghanis per passenger while Hiace and 8-seaters are charging between 200 to 250 afghanis per passenger from Kabul to Torkham.
The security situation on Peshawar-Torkham Road improved after the security forces carried out operation against kidnappers, criminals and alleged militants in Jamrud tehsil of Khyber Agency some two weeks back.A beeline of light and heavy vehicles at least at daytime shows that movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan has increased significantly but fear and uncertainty of the drivers and passengers are yet to be removed.Owing to newly built road from Kabul to Torkham, the eight-hour long distance had been reduced to 3 and half hour provided that traffic is not blocked for the safe passage of the US-led military convoy on the same road.The whole traffic is jammed when the military vehicles escorted by Afghan police and army are plying the road. Even the car-owners and drivers of passengers’ vehicles are bound to off-road and stop movement of their vehicles until the bunker-typed trucks and military jeeps of the US-led force are passed. The 75-kilometers long Jalalabad-Torkham Road was built by Pakistan as part of Afghanistan’s reconstruction after 9/11 but the removal of painted flag of Pakistan and slogan of ‘Long live Pak-Afghan friendship’ on the top of the toll plaza is definitely a sign of embarrassment for Pakistanis when they enter the road built at the cost of million of dollars.The heavy presence of Afghan police and frequent checking of passengers vehicles from Torkham to Jalalabad and Kabul by the Afghan security officials are also one of the major concerns for Pakistani nationals most of them travelling on legal documents to Afghanistan.
However, one should not hide the excesses and corruption of Pakistan security officials and staff on Torkham border, who are openly receiving bribe from the Afghans while entering Pakistan and in case they have nothing to grease their palms, they are being thrashed and disgraced. A Pakistani taxi-driver, who was hired by this scribe from Torkham to Peshawar, said the border security staff and Pakistan police had been taking bribe from Afghan nationals until they entered Peshawar city via Jamrud check-post. The driver, belonging to Afridi tribe, claimed he witnessed the excesses and corruption of Pakistani officials deputed on Pak-Afghan border and many checkposts on Jamrud checkposts.He fears that Pakistanis might be treated in the same manner in Afghanistan if the Pakistan officials continued their dirty practice.

More NATO Troops To Afghanistan

US soldier with NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
More than 3,000 additional U.S. troops have been deployed to Logar and Wardak provinces, in central east Afghanistan to increase security so that reconstruction can move forward and the Afghan people can improve and expand governance.

These troops serve as part of the 50,000 strong NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in the country. By improving security for the Afghan people in those 2 provinces, U.S. troops will facilitate reconstruction and assist the Afghan government to extend services to the population and provide infrastructure such as roads and power.

Logar and Wardak are key provinces along Afghanistan's major highway routes, and these provinces have been victimized in recent months by criminal and insurgent activity.

The increasing deployments of troops to Afghanistan demonstrate the commitment of the U.S. to work with its NATO Allies to extend the reach of the central government and to further secure the people of Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama has said the U.S. is committed to allocating more resources to winning the war against al-Qaida and the Taliban in Afghanistan. According to U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the U.S. may send 2 more brigades to Afghanistan by late spring and a third brigade by mid-summer.

Currently, there are more than 60,000 international soldiers, including roughly 33,000 U.S. troops, in Afghanistan. It is the highest number since the Taliban were ousted from power.

Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary General, said the mission in Afghanistan “is one of the most challenging tasks NATO has ever taken on, but it is a critical contribution to international security."

The goal of NATO's International Security Assistance Force is to help establish the conditions in which Afghanistan can enjoy a representative government and self-sustaining peace and security – after decades of conflict, destruction and poverty.

Holbrooke Plans First Trip as Afghanistan-Pakistan Envoy

The Obama administration's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, is preparing for his first foreign trip in his new role. Holbrooke, a former Assistant Secretary of State and United Nations Ambassador, will visit South Asia after attending an international security conference in Germany late next week.

Officials here provided no details of Holbrooke's itinerary but said he will visit Pakistan and Afghanistan, and probably other countries in the region, in a fact-finding trip as the new administration reviews its policy on the Afghan conflict.

Holbrooke, a key figure in peace negotiations that ended the 1990s Balkans conflict, was named to the post last week along with former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who has already begun his first mission as a special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

State Department Acting Spokesman Robert Wood said Holbrooke, like Mitchell in the Middle East, will be on what amounts to a listening tour in South Asia before reporting back to President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

"He wants to go and touch base with leaders in the region, and also to hear what they have to say in terms of what needs to be done to improve the situation in that region," he said.

Wood said he expects Holbrooke to leave Washington in the middle of next week for Europe to attend the three-day Munich Conference on Security Policy opening February 6 before flying on to South Asia.

He said the Munich gathering, also known as the Wehrkunde conference, will be an opportunity for the envoy to discuss the Afghan conflict and related border unrest in Pakistan with U.S. European allies as part of the administration policy review.

President Obama is widely expected to announce a major increase in the 36,000-member U.S. troop commitment to Afghanistan.

But a senior U.S. diplomat said Thursday that Secretary Clinton is convinced that the United States and NATO cannot be succeed there without the proper mix of developmental, political and military action, and ultimately a political solution to the conflict.

Vice President Joe Biden and White House National Security Advisor James Jones will also be attending the Wehrkunde conference, which is expected to be the new administration's first major foray into international politics.

Cuban leader tastes Russian hospitality prior to talks

In 1963 Fidel spent 45 days traveling throughout the USSR. He secretly arrived in Murmansk and checked on Soviet nuclear forces, continued to Lake Baikal and received a brown bear cub as a present and did a little bit of shopping in Tashkent. Pictures of the Comandante on a train were on the front pages of all Soviet newspapers.

Raul often followed his older brother, but this time he is in Russia by himself and now he is the Cuban leader.

Raul Castro will be in Russia until February 4.

On Thursday he decided to stay in accommodations outside of Moscow so he could enjoy the Russian winter. And that is something Russia is ready to provide in abundance.

Castro arrived at the presidential residence wrapped in a warm coat and wearing an ushanka – a traditional Russian hat, which all tourists bring from Moscow. Medvedev met him as an old friend although they have an era in between their ages.

“I am very glad to see you here in Russia and especially in this place which – as I know – you visited many years ago,” Dmitry Medvedev said.

In the 1960s, Nikita Khrushchev hosted Raul and his brother at the same residence. Then, Fidel was feted to a full Russian experience including a Russian hunt and shots of vodka.

“I have been missing Russian forests. The moments when I was frying a lard spit on a twig to eat with rye bread I held dear to my heart. Over 25 years have passed, filled with this feeling of nostalgia. I don’t know if I will be so lucky to have the chance to taste it again, but I am here,” Raul Castro said.

Medvedev got the hint. After talks, they went outside for a dinner by the fire –pickled vegetables, barbecue, rye bread and a samovar – the self-boiler traditionally used in Russia’s tea-drinking – were on the menu.

“This is ‘salo’ or bacon fat - something you should have come for,” President Medvedev said.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union it seemed relations with Cuba collapsed as well. Located right at the U.S. doorstep, Cuba was the largest ally of the USSR and considered a true brother-in-arms. In 2002 Russia shut down its military base in Cuba.

Two months ago, Medvedev landed in Havana along with a contingent of the Russian Navy. Many expect the current talks to focus on civil cooperation, with energy topping the agenda.

Recession lands immigrants in 'Devil's Cave'

PLAINFIELD, New Jersey (CNN) -- Enter the "Devil's Cave" by pulling aside the wooden grate beneath the porch of the abandoned suburban New Jersey home. Crawl inside to see the filthy, mismatched blankets and the garbage and empty soda and alcohol bottles strewn about. Catch your breath against the smell.

In a better time, the 8-by-12-foot cubby hole with the four-foot ceiling might have been the pride of an 8-year-old, a place to share with closest friends, a secret hideout from the neighborhood bullies.

For a group of Latin American men, the "Devil's Cave" was home for several months as they tried to find work in tough economic times. In it, they shared their misfortune and propped up one another's dignity.

"I am a victim of the economic crisis," said Demisio Flores, 44, of El Salvador. "I am not homeless, because if I could get a job I would pay my rent and continue sending money to my family."

Flores, a former member of the Salvadoran military, was supporting a wife, a daughter and three grandchildren in El Salvador with money he earned at two jobs, one at a beverage packing company. But the men he shared the Devil's Cave with -- as many as 10 at some times -- became a new family.

"We were like brothers," he said of those with whom he camped beneath the porch. "Whoever got something was for everybody and everybody was getting something for whoever."

The nation's economic downturn has hit northern New Jersey hard. Unemployment jumped in the state to 7.1 percent in December, according to federal statistics.

Plainfield, a city of just over 47,000 where minorities are the majority -- 62 percent black, 25 percent Hispanic -- was faring even worse. The city's jobless rate was 7.9 percent in November, an increase of 2.8 percentage points from a year earlier.

Downtown Plainfield, walking distance from the space below the porch, shows the strains of recession. Stores try to lure customers with sales, others have shut down already or are preparing to do so.

With New Jersey struggling, the low-wage jobs that sustained the men disappeared.

Flores said of 300 people who worked with him, only 10 kept jobs when one company cut back four months ago. With the jobs gone, so was prosperity.

"My life was happy. I used to get a home with food and heat... pay my rent and send some money to my family in El Salvador," he said.

As work dried up, the men joined other immigrants on Plainfield's street corners, hoping to be chosen for day work. But they said they were lucky to get one day of work a month, not even near enough to cover rent on the small rooms they used to occupy.

Shelter became a dire need. Israel Rodriguez Melendez, a Salvadoran who has spent six years in the U.S., spotted the cubby hole beneath the porch. He and a friend opened the abandoned house above and got blankets, towels and clothes for him and others in the cave.

Other basics were more difficult to come by.

"Some times we went to garbage Dumpsters looking for food," Rodriguez, 42, said.

Deliverance from the Devil's Cave came at the holidays.

"In December, we were planning a Christmas party," said Carmen Salavarrieta, an activist in the Hispanic community. "In the list people that wanted to attend they were putting their names, some of them wrote 'I live in the Devil's Cave,' and I asked myself, 'What is this?' and then they explained to me."

Salavarrieta is a member of El Centro Hispanoamericano, a nonprofit group that provides emergency, immigration and educational services to Latinos in northern New Jersey. Cobbling together support from churches, businesses and other members of the community, she found temporary quarters for the men.

"I came to take them out of the cave and put them in a shelter. They were allowed to stay there only for three days. So we gave them clean clothes, food and they looked like honorable people. But the three days were over and I did not know what to do, I can not let them out in the street again," she said.

She was able to put some of the men in a small apartment she owned. Others found places with friends. Plainfield's mayor even chipped in, Salavarrieta said, footing the bill for some hotel rooms.

The men couldn't be more grateful.

"Now we live like kings, we have hot water, we get to eat and we have a place to sleep and we can get to change our clothes," Rodriguez said.

Flores showed off a new haircut. A friend had shorn the tangled, dirty mat that was part of his days below the porch.

"With this haircut I look nice," he said. "And I am very grateful to the community that is helping us so much."

Taliban to be flushed out of Swat applying full force: Rehman

ACTION AND IRON HAND NEEDED TO KILL THOSE IGNORANT TALIBAN NOT STATEMENTS.Mwaqar
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister for Interior Affairs Rehman Malik schemes will soon be started for rehabilitation of the people affected by the wave of terrorism following 9/11.

Wrapping up the discussion on Swat law and order situation in Senate, Rehman Malik said militants continued to disturb the peace in a number of agencies in tribal areas. The government fought with them and succeeded in restoring peace in these areas.

“Had the action not taken in time, the Taliban could have spilled over to Islamabad,” he asserted.

He pointed out that a total of 451 schools were destroyed in Swat, of which 123 were of girls.

The Interior Advisor said he could give an in camera briefing to the House on who supports the militants in Swat and what their links are.

He advised the extremists to lay down their weapons. “Soon there will be peace in Swat,” he hoped.

Rehman Malik said lawyers long march is not an issue and it will be dealt with when that time comes.

Later, talking to media he said report of investigation into Mumbai attacks will soon be received.

Afghanistan delays presidential election

KABUL-- Afghanistan is postponing its presidential elections until August 20 due to security and logistical concerns, the country's election commission said Thursday.Afghan President Hamid Karzai's five-year term is coming to an end this year.The balloting was originally scheduled for late May, but the independent election commission laid out several reasons for the delay.Security is a factor, the commission said. It also cited a lack of trained staff, incomplete voter registration and the weather.It is difficult to campaign or distribute ballots during the rough winter months in the rugged landscape.The elections are a critical moment for Afghanistan as President Hamid Karzai's five-year term ends. He was elected in December 2004 in largely peaceful polling.But since then, the Taliban militant movement has regrouped, international troop deaths have increased and there has been an increase in terror attacks, mostly in eastern and southern Afghanistan.Afghanistan has already registered 3 million voters and is holding voter drives to register more.
The United States will deploy additional troops in coming months to provide much-needed security in the run-up to the election.The country expects to hold parliamentary elections in 2010.Meanwhile on Wednesday coalition forces fighting in southern Afghanistan killed four militants, the U.S. military said.Coalition soldiers were targeting a Taliban leader in the Zabul province when militants fired on them, according to a military statement. Soldiers returned fire, killing the four militants. Soldiers then searched their compound and confiscated several assault rifles.This operation comes as the U.S. military is contemplating adding three brigades to the war effort in Afghanistan.Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the troop build up could happen by this summer.

UN to organize effort to help stabilize Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan says the United Nations will help organize an international effort to overcome the country's massive security and economic problems.Pakistan faces a dangerous combination of rising Taliban militancy and slowing economic growth, raising concern about the security of its nuclear weapons.
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Thursday that the U.N. has agreed to help organize programs to be funded by countries including the United States and Germany.
Donors formed a group called the Friends of Pakistan last year to boost Pakistan's security, economic and social development and energy supplies. Pakistan also took a $7.6 billion bailout last year from the International Monetary Fund.
Qureshi said a donors' conference may take place in Tokyo, but announced no date.

Security forces put on high alert in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: In a bid to deal with any untoward situation, Peshawar police have put forces on high alert besides sealing the city from all around, police sources said.

According to sources, there are security threats in and around Peshawar likewise other parts of country, however police has been put on high alert to take on any unexpected situation.

Troops have been provided with advanced artillery besides increasing nonstop patrolling by forces across city to ensure flawless security measures to public, sources added.

Police said it has deployed special Frontier Corps troops with police as a part of strict security plan.

EXCLUSIVE: UNDER THE TALIBAN’S RULE

[Swat Valley, Pakistan] Taliban militants have responded to a unanimous resolution passed this month by the Pakistan parliament to fight terror with renewed zeal and to protect women’s rights and educational institutions in the violence-hit Swat Valley, by destroying some more schools and summoning 40 politicians to appear before Taliban court or face retribution.

The announcement summoning the politicians made by Maulana Fazlullah, a cleric turned militant commander, live on his illegal FM Radio, sent shockwaves throughout the district. The names he mentioned are senior members of different political parties, mainly the Pashtun Nationalist Awami National Party that currently rules the volatile North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

The warning came immediately after Ayub Ashari, a provincial minister from Swat, along with two members of the Provincial Assembly, visited Swat last week to boost the morale of the security forces and the people.

Addressing a press conference, the provincial minister pledged that all steps would be taken to establish government control in the region.

Locals say the visit of the provincial officials was a serious blow to Taliban's reign of terror, as after the visit people in Swat, particularly the youth, gained enough courage to openly criticize Taliban for their actions.

"We feel really encouraged to see some senior officials of the provincial government in Swat after a break of seven months,” said Ahmad Ali Khan, a resident of Mingora Swat. “Such moves must continue to bolster people’s morale and to put the militants on the defensive."

Taliban militants under the command of Fazlullah dominate 90 percent of the Swat Valley in northwestern Pakistan, where they publicly administer "Islamic punishments" to government sympathizers, female dancers, school teachers and local influentials.

The approximately 40,000 Pakistan security forces, who have been fighting Fazlullah’s militants since October 2007, have been confronted with a renewed and intensified insurgency that is now spreading to the neighboring districts of Buner, Malakand Agency, Dir and Shangla.

The conflict has displaced half million people from the idyllic valley and resulted in the destruction of more than 180 educational institutions.

Analysts believe the Taliban are a major threat to the integrity of Pakistan and it is the responsibility of all the stakeholders to come together and to devise a comprehensive and pragmatic strategy against terror. Neither the military nor the civilian administration can work in isolation, and there must be more coordination and cooperation between the two to eliminate militancy, they say.

Commenting on the current situation, Khadim Hussain Amir, an Islamabad-based political analyst, says that the Taliban want to perpetuate fear by such actions and it is high time for the political and military leadership to break the chain of terror created, encouraged and perpetuated by the Taliban by killing people and issuing warnings to the local social and political leadership.

“I am viewing this issue in its historical perspective. In 2006, Talibanization in Swat was a localized process. Taliban had no networking with other militant groups in Pakistan tribal areas and they did not have a fully trained and equipped militia,” Amir said.

“In 2007, they not only established contacts with other groups, but they also brought local criminal gangs under the umbrella of the Taliban movement, set up parallel courts and started targeted killings. This created enormous fear among the people. Now they want to silence all voices against them by utilizing this fear factor," Amir added.

After targeted killings and suicide attacks on government buildings and public gatherings that have killed hundreds of people over the last two years, the Taliban in Swat have been confronted with the issue of how to consolidate their control of the area.

At the beginning, to win support from the unprivileged and downtrodden classes of the society, they occupied the fertile lands of local landlords and distributed them among the poor.

In their courts they resolve feuds on an equal basis, and a number of court decisions have gone against the local elite. This process strengthens their position and many unemployed and unskilled youth have joined the Taliban fold.

Once they settled into their bases in different parts of the upper Swat Valley, the Taliban embarked on collecting funds and demanding weapons from the locals and punishing people in public at the slightest suspicion of supporting the government or criticizing their actions.

Meanwhile, security forces have pounded villages and civilian populations, which has resulted in the killing of more than 1,200 civilians.

Recently, ministers in the NWFP government blasted the military for inaction and lack of vision in Swat.

NWFP minister for information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, told the media in Peshawar that the military had been in charge of all the affairs in Swat since the launch of military operations in 2007 and if the military had failed to eradicate militancy, then the people had no option but to pray to God.

The military has its own take on what is happening in Swat. Military officers say it is the responsibility of the government to place efficient civilian administration in the district and provide relief to the people affected by the conflict.

They believe that peace agreements between the provincial government and Fazlullah have only helped the Taliban to regroup and strengthen their position.

When the military operation was launched, it was claimed by the military commanders that the area would be cleared of all militants within three weeks. The fact is that now the militants are knocking on the doors of Mingora, the administrative capital and main urban center of the Swat district.

Maj.-Gen. Athar Abbas, Pakistan's military spokesman, says that the army was following a new strategy to clear major urban areas and villages of militants.

"The military will not be static, it will not be reactive. It will be reaching out to people to get their support," he told the Pakistan Daily Dawn.

However, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan is standing firm and says that the military should leave the area immediately and the government should enforce the Islamic legal system in the region to avoid more violence and bloodshed.

"If there is no Shari’a, there will be no peace," he told The Media Line.

Whatever the result of the ongoing conflict in Swat, the reality is that the Swat Valley will never be the same as when thousands of tourists from all over the world would flood the area every summer to enjoy its fascinating natural scenery, snow-capped mountains and centuries-old cultural heritage in the shape of hundreds of Buddhist archeological sites spreading over every part of the valley.

Gates warns against sending too many US forces to Afghanistan

WASHINGTON - Amid preparations for a major US troop build up in Afghanistan, Defence Secretary Robert Gates has warned that the United States cannot become bogged down in the unrealistic goal of turning the country into an economically prosperous nation.
Instead, the US must limit its focus to what it can achieve within five years, he said. The focus should be trying to ensure terrorists don't regain control of the region and use it to coordinate attacks, Gates told the House and Senate armed services committees.He also indicated that military strikes against terrorist targets in Pakistan are likely to continue, despite Islamabad's view that they are unhelpful.
"If we set ourselves the objective of creating some sort of Central Asian Valhallah over there, we will lose because nobody in the world has that kind of time, patience or money to be honest," said Gates, referring to the mythic haven of purity.Gates testified as President Barack Obama considers options for drawing down operations in Iraq and doubling the force size in Afghanistan. Obama planned to meet today with the service chiefs.Gates told lawmakers that the Pentagon could send two more brigades to Afghanistan by late spring and a third by mid-summer in an effort to try to salvage a country besieged by corruption and increasing violence.More troops could be sent after that but a decision would hinge on the Defence Department's ability to build a larger infrastructure, he added. Gates cautioned against sending too many forces because he said it could send the wrong message and Afghan citizens must see their own security forces take control.When asked by Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican and a frequent visitor to the region, whether he expects casualties to rise with the increase in military operations, Gates responded that it was "likely.""Bottom line is this is going to be tough," Graham said."This is going to be difficult and in many ways harder than Iraq. Do you agree with that?"
"Yes," Gates responded.
Gates indicated that going after terrorists in Pakistan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, would remain part of the equation to improving security in the region.
"Let me just say both President Bush and President Obama have made clear that we will go after al-Qaida wherever al-Qaida is and we will continue to pursue them," Gates said.On Guantanamo Bay, Gates played down suggestions that Obama's order to close the military prison within one year would risk the release of terrorists.He said Congress must remember that the vast majority of detainees can be tried by the United State or sent to other countries for prosecution.There are a relatively small number of detainees that will be difficult to prosecute, and the administration will have to address that problem, he said."I can't imagine a situation in which detainees in Guantanamo considered a danger to the people of the United States would simply be released," he told the House Armed Services Committee.Further, Gates said, the deadline was necessary because otherwise "we would kick that can down the road endlessly".His remarks undercut efforts by some Republicans to cast Obama's decision as misstep in the war on terror.On Iraq, the defence chief said the Pentagon is preparing for Obama various scenarios for winding down the war, including a plan that would cease US involvement in combat within 16 months. Gates said military planners are looking at later dates as well and are prepared to brief Obama on all his options and the their associated risks."I believe the president will have had every opportunity to hear quite directly from his commanders about what they can accomplish and what the attendant risks are under different options," Gates said.Gates said he does not expect the military build-up in Afghanistan to put an additional strain on troops. By the end of September, soldiers deployed for 12 months should be allowed 15 months at home. In the 2010 budget year, that ratio will stretch further, giving troops two years at home for every one year deployed. By 2011, they should see 30 months at home, he said.It was his first hearing since Obama took office and lawmakers were eager to hear details about how the administration plans to turn around the war in Afghanistan."This is a long, hard slog we're in in Afghanistan," said Senator John McCain, borrowing the phrase used frequently by former Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to describe the war in Iraq."It is complex," added McCain, the top Republican on the Armed Services panel."It is challenging. And I don't see frankly an Anbar wakening - a game changing event - in Afghanistan, such as we were able to see in Iraq."Security gains made in Iraq's Anbar province are often seen as a turning point in the Iraq war.Having recently undergone an operation to repair a damaged tendon in his left arm, Gates spoke with his arm in a sling, his coat half on.Obama has vowed to shift military resources away from Iraq and move them toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, which he says is the central front in the struggle against terrorism and extremism.In a plan initiated during the Bush administration and endorsed by Obama, the Pentagon is planning to double the 34,000 contingent of US forces in Afghanistan.

Govt to construct Education Complex in Hayatabad

PESHAWAR: Education Department has decided in principle to construct an education complex where latest facilities will be ensured in order to cut unnecessary expenditure.
A decision to this effect was taken in a high-level meeting of the department which was attended by high-ups of the department, project directors and educationists.
It was learnt by the Statesman that eight kanal land has been allocated for the construction of complex where offices of the department in different areas will be shifted to the complex.
During the meeting, the high-ups of the education department have directed the authorities to prepare the feasibility report on which practical work will be started during next financial year.
The education department has also decided to contact the federal government for the release of funds specified by the government for education department.
German Funds: It was learnt that government of Germany had provided Rs928.56 million grant for the promotion of education sector in the country on the condition that if the government failed to utilise the funds properly for the specified purpose till 2016, then the central government will be bound to return it with interest till 2017.
In this regard the provincial education department has decided to contact the federal government for the release of the funds so as to take steps on emergency basis to increase the literacy ratio in the province.
Meanwhile, European Community, NWFP, has signed an agreement with the education department regarding provision of 20 million euros for betterment in education field in the province.
The accord was signed by Economic Officer Division and European Community and according to the agreement; European Community will provide 18 million euros directly for uplift schemes in the education department.
Out of this 20 million euros, 1.6 million euros for technical assistance while .4 million euros will be spent on audit and monitoring of the projects.
The scheme is aimed at to give proper attention to the education field and provide educational environment to out of school children.
Paperwork have been started on the project and the project will be implemented during next fiscal year.

Putin’s View: ‘We’re All in the Same Boat’

Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin of Russia in a session at the World Economic Forum on Wednesday. Photo.
Making his first appearance as Russian leader before the annual gathering of business and political leaders in Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin struck a conciliatory tone toward the West. He explicitly wished the new administration of President Obama well, and urged cooperation on energy security, the economy and even disarmament.

Mr. Putin used a 30-minute speech before a packed auditorium on Wednesday to paint Russia as a reliable partner in energy, trade and politics amid the widening global economic crisis.

“We can’t afford being isolationist or economically selfish,” Mr. Putin said. Describing the world financial crisis as a “perfect storm,” he added: “We are all in the same boat.”

The financial crisis has dealt a blow to the Russian swagger of recent years. When sky-high oil prices helped fill state coffers and return-hungry Western investors offered cheap loans, the Kremlin could more easily strike a proud, anti-Western tone and emphasize its new-found power after a decade of weakness following the Soviet collapse.

Mr. Putin’s speech, the official opening address of this year’s World Economic Forum, was eagerly awaited by those waiting to gauge whether the crisis would prompt Russia to turn further away from the West or open the door to a more cooperative relationship.

As recently as December, Mr. Putin still had harsh words for the United States. “The crisis began in the United States, whose financial and economic policies led to the crisis that infected the economies of practically all major countries of the world,” he said at the time, adding that the impact of the crisis on Russia would be “minimal.”

But he struck a different note on Wednesday, as he often has for Western audiences. Mr. Putin said he would not dwell on who was responsible for the crisis and talked instead about “mutual interests” and “mutual dependencies.”

“We hope that our partners in Europe, Asia and America — and I’m also addressing the new administration, we wish them well — I hope they will be willing to cooperate constructively,” he said.

Cuba's Raul Castro arrives in Moscow for talks

MOSCOW- President Raul Castro on Wednesday began the first visit to Russia by a Cuban leader since the end of the Cold War, the latest sign of reviving ties between the two former close allies.

Castro stepped off a jet into Moscow's freezing weather to be greeted by a military band and a salute.

"From this visit, we hope to strengthen and consolidate what we have already achieved together, and it is necessary to make one more step in this direction," Castro said in an interview shown on Russia's state-run Vesti 24 television channel.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia and Cuba plan to sign a number of agreements. These would promote cooperation in trade, economic, financial, investment, cultural and humanitarian areas, he said on the ministry's Web site.

Lavrov said Russia's interest in Cuba is economic, underlining its changing role in the island from an ideological partner to one of trade.

Raul, the younger brother of ailing former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, was expected to meet President Dmitry Medvedev at his country residence just outside Moscow on Thursday. The Kremlin chief visited Havana last November.

The two leaders would also sign several agreements on oil cooperation, Russian news agency Prime Tass reported.

Russian oil firms want to drill offshore in the Caribbean and the military has talked about cooperation with Havana on air defense systems.

However, the Kremlin is keen that future relations should be on a free-market basis -- meaning that the generous soft loans and grants given by Russia to its Caribbean ally during communist times will not be on offer now.

The last time a Cuban leader visited Russia was Fidel Castro's trip to Moscow in 1986 for a Communist Party congress.

Moscow was Communist-run Cuba's main benefactor during the Cold War and recent state visits by both sides suggest they want to rekindle something of their alliance, which subsided after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

After a long period of neglect, the Kremlin took a new interest in Latin America last year. Medvedev visited Brazil, Venezuela, Peru and Cuba and Moscow has developed a strong alliance with U.S. foe President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.