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  • 8/2/2019 CFC Afghanistan Review Newsletter, 07 February 2012

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    C I V I L - M I L I T A R Y F U S I O N C E N T R E

    Comprehensive Information on Complex CrisesAfghanistan Review

    07 February 2012Week 06

    Economic Development

    Governance & Rule of Law

    Security & Force Protection

    Social & Strategic Infrastructure

    The Civil-Military Fusion Centre(CFC) is an information andknowledge managementorganisation focused on improvingcivil-military interaction, facilitatinginformation sharing and enhancingsituational awareness through theCimicWeb portal and our weeklyand monthly publications.

    CFC products are based upon andlink to open-source informationfrom a wide variety of organisations,research centres and media outlets.

    However, the CFC does not endorseand cannot necessarily guaranteethe accuracy or objectivity of these

    sources.

    CFC publications areindependently produced by

    Knowledge Managers and donot reflect NATO or ISAFpolicies or positions of any other

    organisation.

    The CFC is part of NATO AlliedCommand Operations.

    For further information, contact:

    Afghanistan Team [email protected]

    The Afghanistan [email protected]

    INSIDE THIS ISSUE

    DISCLAIMER

    CONTACT THE CFC

    This document provides a weekly overview of developments in Afghanistan from 01 February 06

    February 2012, with hyper-links to source material highlighted in blue and underlined in the text. For

    more information on the topics below or other issues pertaining to events in Afghanistan, contact the

    members of the Afghanistan Team, or visit our website atwww.cimicweb.org.

    Economic Development Steven A. Zyck [email protected] economy could face a serious downturn as foreign security and aid

    spending dries up in the coming years, reports The New York Times. The World Bank

    predicts that aid to Afghanistan by 2018 will be 10% of what it is today. One expert

    told The New York Times that Afghanistan currently has a bubble economy which is in the

    process of deflating, costing thousands of Afghans their jobs and livelihoods in the process.Many Afghans, including many who repatriated to Afghanistan after 2001, are preparing to

    close their businesses, sell their property and depart the country. Productivity at local factories

    is reportedly declining, and demand for foreign cars is plummeting. Property values, which

    rose rapidly in recent years, are deflating. In addition, The New York Times says that the

    Afghan government has had a hard time supporting national industries. Now that the Afghan

    army is responsible for purchasing a portion of its own supplies, they have begun importing

    cheap Chinese and Pakistani boots for its soldiers rather than buying them from their former

    Afghan supply company.

    Amid concerns about reduced foreign spending in Afghanistan, the United States Agency for

    International Development (USAID) signed an agreement to provideUSD 800 millionto the

    Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF), according to Tolo News. The funds are

    intended to support agriculture, health, training and reconstruction. This grant is part of a move

    by USAID to provide a significant amount of its aid to the Afghan government or through

    funds, such as the ARTF, which support the governments operations and priority programmes

    In the past, USAID has provided only 5% of its aid to the ARTF but is aiming to provide 35%

    of its assistance through the fund in the future. This may have implications for the Afghan

    economy, according to a 2009 report from Peace Dividend Trust (PDT). The report found tha

    funds spent through the Afghan government were much more likely to benefit the loca

    economythan funds spent through foreign companies and non-profit organisations.

    A representative of Afghanistans Carpet Association told Tolo News that carpet production in

    Afghanistan hasfallen by 70%over the past two years. The high cost of raw materials and the

    lack of weaving facilities are cited as two major causes of the decline. While the Ministry of

    Commerce and Industries (MoCI) says that it has built industrial parks with carpet production

    A

    To Our ReadersYou will note that this week the Afghanistan Review newsletter includes

    four rather than six sections. The CFCs Afghanistan Team will now be divided amongst the

    following sectors: Economic Development, Governance & Rule of Law, Security & Force

    Protection and Social & Strategic Infrastructure. Socio-cultural development issues will now be

    addressed within this final sector given the inherent linkages between infrastructure (e.g.,

    schools and clinics) and the services provided through them (e.g., education and healthcare).

    Humanitarian topics will be addressed in special sections as humanitarian crises or issues

    emerge. We hope that this approach will help to draw particular attention to such issues and

    stories. This shift does not reflect a diminished commitment to either socio-cultural

    development or humanitarian needs. Thank you for reading. The Afghanistan Team

    http://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/https://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PDF-Post-Drawdown_Economic-Problems.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PDF-Post-Drawdown_Economic-Problems.pdfhttp://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/homehttp://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/homehttp://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/homehttp://www.tolonews.com/en/business/5223-us-donates-800m-to-afghanistanhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/business/5223-us-donates-800m-to-afghanistanhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/business/5223-us-donates-800m-to-afghanistanhttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/AFGHANISTANEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20152008~pagePK:141137~piPK:217854~theSitePK:305985,00.htmlhttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/AFGHANISTANEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20152008~pagePK:141137~piPK:217854~theSitePK:305985,00.htmlhttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/AFGHANISTANEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20152008~pagePK:141137~piPK:217854~theSitePK:305985,00.htmlhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/index.php?sv=&category=PDT%20Afghanistanhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/index.php?sv=&category=PDT%20Afghanistanhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/index.php?sv=&category=PDT%20Afghanistanhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttp://tolonews.com/en/business/5197-afghan-carpet-production-falls-http://tolonews.com/en/business/5197-afghan-carpet-production-falls-http://tolonews.com/en/business/5197-afghan-carpet-production-falls-http://moci.gov.af/enhttp://moci.gov.af/enhttp://moci.gov.af/enhttp://moci.gov.af/enhttp://tolonews.com/en/business/5197-afghan-carpet-production-falls-http://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/data/files/download/pdfs/PDT_Spending_Dev$_Twice_Report_0709.pdfhttp://www.peacedividendtrust.org/en/index.php?sv=&category=PDT%20Afghanistanhttp://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/SOUTHASIAEXT/AFGHANISTANEXTN/0,,contentMDK:20152008~pagePK:141137~piPK:217854~theSitePK:305985,00.htmlhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/business/5223-us-donates-800m-to-afghanistanhttp://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/homehttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PDF-Post-Drawdown_Economic-Problems.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/
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    facilities inNangarharandFaryabprovinces, Tolo News reportedly found that the Nangarhar facility had not yet been constructed

    despite the fact that funding was allocated three years ago. In addition to domestic factors, the low value of the Pakistani rupee relative

    to the afghani is also contributing to a downturn in the Afghan carpet industry. Pakistani traders had previously purchased Afghan

    carpets but now do so less frequently given that, in rupee terms, Afghan carpets have become more expensive.

    Several mining articles emerged this week. According toMining Weekly,Kilo

    Goldmines, a Canadian firm that won the rights to one of the four blocks at

    theHajigakiron ore deposit late last year,will soon complete related contract

    negotiations with the Afghan government. Kilo plans to spend two years

    exploring its blocks followed by a two-year feasibility study. Accordingly,

    extraction at Kilos Hajigak block would not begin until 2016, which is onpar with the anticipated start date for a consortium of Indian companies which

    won the rights to the other three blocks of the iron ore deposit in central

    Afghanistan. Many of these same Indian firms are also planning to bid for the

    rights to gold and copper deposits in four Afghan provinces, says Reuters.

    The Afghan Ministry of Mines (MoM) has requested expressions of interest

    from mining companies or consortia by 09 March.

    Some truck drivers and business owners in Mazar-e Sharif told the Institute

    for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) that new pollution-control measures

    have hindered their livelihoods. Authorities have forced brick kilns and other

    factories to relocate out of the city centre, prevented trucks from driving in

    the city during the day and impounded older, high-emissions cars. While

    provincial officials indicate that these changes have reduced pollution and

    improved the quality of life in the city, forced relocations have hurt somefactory owners and their employees, who must travel a greater distanceto

    work. In addition, preventing trucks from entering the city during the day has made it more difficult for truck drivers and the

    businesses they serve. Some indicate that the new regulations are selectively enforced and that those who pay bribes are allowed to

    drive trucks in the city any time of day and operate factories in the city.

    In regional news, a delegation from Afghanistans Ministry of Finance (MoF) participated ineconomic coordination meetingswith

    their Iranian counterparts, says Khaama Press. The meetings yielded an agreement, with specific timelines attached, for promoting

    future economic cooperation. Most notably, the two countries discussed the Chabahar port in Iran, which many Afghan businesses use

    to import and export goods. The two countries agreed to assess customs issues and development of investments at the Chabahar

    Port. The Afghan and Iranian officials also pledged to increase their bilateral trade and to prevent relations between the two countries

    from being harmed by political relations with other nations.

    Governance & Rule of Law Stefanie Nijssen [email protected] Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said that the United States hopes to end its combat mission and shift to a training

    advisory and assistance role in Afghanistan by mid-2013,more than a year earlierthan previously scheduled, TheWashington

    Postreported. Panetta said that the United States would still be actively engaged in helping Afghan forces operate beyond tha

    point in time. According to TheWashington Times, US intelligence and counterterrorism officials highlighted that, despite the end of

    the combat mission in 2013, Americancombat forces will stayin Afghanistan until the end of 2014. They also reportedly noted tha

    the US governments commitment to Afghanistan would continue long beyond 2013 and 2014.

    Tolo News, citing NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, reported that NATO will stand by its previously agreed planto

    wind down operations in Afghanistan by the end of 2014 and that any changes to the schedule would need to be coordinated among

    coalition nations. Rasmussen toldRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) that he expects the lastprovinces to be handed overto

    the Afghan security forces by mid-2013. From that time, Afghan security forces are in the lead all over Afghanistan. Details of the

    transition will behigh on the agendafor the NATO Summit in Chicago, which will take place in May 2012, reports TheChicago Sun

    Times.

    The Financial Times is reporting that Afghan officials have urged the US government to stick to its previously-set timetable for

    withdrawing its troops in 2014. We would like the American troops to leave according to the schedule which has already beenagreed, Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for Afghanistans Ministry of Interior (MoI), said.

    A classified NATO report seen by BBC News claimed that the Taliban remains defiant and have wide support among the Afghan

    people. The report is based on material from 27,000 interrogations with more than 4,000 captured Taliban, al-Qaeda and other

    foreign fighters and civilians. Moreover, the BBCsays the document details widespread collaborationbetween the insurgents and

    Afghan police and military. It also concludes that in the last year, there has been significant interest among Afghans, including

    amongst members of the Afghan government, in joining the Taliban. It states the following: Afghan civilians frequently prefer

    U

    The New York Times reports that at least 22

    children have diedin informal settlements around

    Kabul due to the harsh winter conditions. All

    were under the age of five. The article indicates

    that the deaths draw renewed attention to the

    basic humanitarian needs of many Afghans,

    which some aid workers say have been

    overlooked in an emphasis on reconstruction and

    long-term development. For instance, Michael

    Keating, the United Nations humanitarian

    coordinator in Afghanistan, told The New York

    Times, There are 35,000 people in those camps

    in the middle of Kabul, with no heat or electricity

    in the middle of winter; thats a humanitarian

    crisis. I just dont think the humanitarian story is

    sufficiently understood here. Youve got a lot of

    people who really are in dire straits.

    Humanitarian Update

    https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Nangarhar.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Nangarhar.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Nangarhar.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Faryab.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Faryab.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Faryab.aspxhttp://www.kilogold.net/http://www.kilogold.net/http://www.kilogold.net/http://www.kilogold.net/http://mom.gov.af/en/page/1382http://mom.gov.af/en/page/1382http://mom.gov.af/en/page/1382http://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://www.dawn.com/2012/02/03/indian-consortium-may-bid-for-afghan-mining-blocks-report.htmlhttp://www.dawn.com/2012/02/03/indian-consortium-may-bid-for-afghan-mining-blocks-report.htmlhttp://mom.gov.af/enhttp://mom.gov.af/enhttp://mom.gov.af/enhttp://iwpr.net/report-news/business-hurt-anti-pollution-drive-north-afghan-cityhttp://iwpr.net/report-news/business-hurt-anti-pollution-drive-north-afghan-cityhttp://mof.gov.af/enhttp://mof.gov.af/enhttp://mof.gov.af/enhttp://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-sign-economic-cooperation-pact-with-iran-528http://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-sign-economic-cooperation-pact-with-iran-528http://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-sign-economic-cooperation-pact-with-iran-528http://www.washingtonpost.com/panetta-us-nato-will-seek-to-end-afghan-combat-mission-next-year/2010/07/28/gIQAriZJiQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/panetta-us-nato-will-seek-to-end-afghan-combat-mission-next-year/2010/07/28/gIQAriZJiQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/panetta-us-nato-will-seek-to-end-afghan-combat-mission-next-year/2010/07/28/gIQAriZJiQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/2/officials-longterm-commitment-us-forces-afghanista/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSShttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/2/officials-longterm-commitment-us-forces-afghanista/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSShttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/2/officials-longterm-commitment-us-forces-afghanista/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSShttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5227-nato-will-stick-to-its-previous-plan-rasmussen-sayshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5227-nato-will-stick-to-its-previous-plan-rasmussen-sayshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5227-nato-will-stick-to-its-previous-plan-rasmussen-sayshttp://www.rferl.org/content/nato_afghanistan_troops_2013/24471413.htmlhttp://www.rferl.org/content/nato_afghanistan_troops_2013/24471413.htmlhttp://www.rferl.org/content/nato_afghanistan_troops_2013/24471413.htmlhttp://www.suntimes.com/news/10352497-418/afghanistan-high-on-agenda-for-upcoming-summits-in-chicago.htmlhttp://www.suntimes.com/news/10352497-418/afghanistan-high-on-agenda-for-upcoming-summits-in-chicago.htmlhttp://www.suntimes.com/news/10352497-418/afghanistan-high-on-agenda-for-upcoming-summits-in-chicago.htmlhttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7d1c7f2c-4db7-11e1-a66e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1lK25L8Gmhttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7d1c7f2c-4db7-11e1-a66e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1lK25L8Gmhttp://moi.gov.af/enhttp://moi.gov.af/enhttp://moi.gov.af/enhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/world/asia/cold-weather-kills-children-in-afghan-refugee-camps.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/world/asia/cold-weather-kills-children-in-afghan-refugee-camps.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/world/asia/cold-weather-kills-children-in-afghan-refugee-camps.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/world/asia/cold-weather-kills-children-in-afghan-refugee-camps.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/world/asia/cold-weather-kills-children-in-afghan-refugee-camps.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://moi.gov.af/enhttp://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/7d1c7f2c-4db7-11e1-a66e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1lK25L8Gmhttp://www.suntimes.com/news/10352497-418/afghanistan-high-on-agenda-for-upcoming-summits-in-chicago.htmlhttp://www.rferl.org/content/nato_afghanistan_troops_2013/24471413.htmlhttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5227-nato-will-stick-to-its-previous-plan-rasmussen-sayshttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/feb/2/officials-longterm-commitment-us-forces-afghanista/?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSShttp://www.washingtonpost.com/panetta-us-nato-will-seek-to-end-afghan-combat-mission-next-year/2010/07/28/gIQAriZJiQ_story.htmlhttp://www.khaama.com/afghanistan-sign-economic-cooperation-pact-with-iran-528http://mof.gov.af/enhttp://iwpr.net/report-news/business-hurt-anti-pollution-drive-north-afghan-cityhttp://mom.gov.af/enhttp://www.dawn.com/2012/02/03/indian-consortium-may-bid-for-afghan-mining-blocks-report.htmlhttp://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-for-afghan-iron-ore-deposit-2012-02-02http://mom.gov.af/en/page/1382http://www.kilogold.net/http://www.kilogold.net/https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Faryab.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Nangarhar.aspx
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    Taliban governance over the Afghan government, usually as a result of government corruption. According toBBC News, the leaked

    report also claims that the Taliban isbeing assisted directlyby Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. It says that Pakistan

    is aware of the locations of senior Taliban leaders and that [s]enior Taliban representatives, such as Nasiruddin Haqqani, maintain

    residences in the immediate vicinity of ISI headquarters in Islamabad. Pakistan dismissed the claims made in the leaked report

    according to Bloomberg. A spokesman for NATOs International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) told TheNew York Times tha

    [t]his document aggregates the comments of Taliban detainees in a captive environment without considering the validity of or

    motivation behind their reflections. Any conclusions drawn from this would be questionable at best.

    Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said Pakistan has no hidden

    agenda in Afghanistan, according to Voice of America (VoA) News. Khar made

    the comments a day after visiting Afghanistan, where she met with PresidentHamid Karzai and pledged Pakistans support for an Afghan-led peace process.

    Pajhwok Afghan News says that Khar also invited Karzai to attend a trilateral

    meeting among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran in mid-February. During her

    visit, Khar also met with several members of the main opposition party,

    including Abdullah Abdullah, reports Pajhwok. Khar said it was of utmost

    importance to involve all Afghan political leaders and movements in

    Afghanistan in the reconciliation process and in the talks with the insurgency.

    According to Agence-France Presse, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza

    Gilani arrived in Qatar on 06 February to discuss Afghan peace efforts.

    Although Gilani has routinely expressed support for the Afghan peace efforts,

    Pakistani officials say the primary purpose of Gilanis trip to Qatar is to boost

    economic ties with regional actors in the Gulf.

    The Taliban has denied planning preliminary peace talks with Afghangovernment officials in Saudi Arabia, a Taliban spokesman told the BBC. The

    purported talks were reportedly intended to be separate from planned negotiations between the insurgents and the United States in

    Qatar, where the Taliban has announced plans to set up an office.

    Bloomberg has reported that Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is likely to sign off on an agreement that will allow NATO toship

    supplies out of Afghanistan via Russian territory,Kommersantsaid, citing unidentified officials in Russias Foreign Ministry. More

    specifically, EurasiaNet is reporting that a logistical transport hub will be set up in the Volga region to assist the withdrawal of

    supplies. NATO materials will be flown from Afghanistan to the transport hub, from which they will travel by rail to Estonia or

    Latvia. Uzbekistans territory is currently being used for the shipment of supplies to Afghanistan; however, the Uzbek government has

    been concerned about allowing supplies to leave Afghanistan via Uzbekistan since doing so could contribute to problems such as

    trafficking in weapons and drugs.

    According to Tolo News, revenue collected by the Afghan Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) hasincreased by 30%

    compared to last year. MoTCA officials said much of the additional income is derived from air transit taxes. Better transpormanagement system and the installation of radar stations in 26 provinces have helped increase ministry revenues, officials added.

    TheWashington Postis reporting that aSikh man is being held for falsely claiming Afghan citizenship despite the fact that he has

    lived in Afghanistan most of his life. Religious minorities, who make up about 1% of the Afghan population, are still routinely

    ostracised in Afghanistan, says The Washington Post. Life for Sikhs has become especially hard in recent years, according to Sikh

    community leader Awtar Singh, a former lawmaker. Job prospects for Sikhs are bleak outside of Sikh enclaves, and the Afghan

    government reportedly refuses to allow members of this monitory group to open cremation facilities despite the fact that cremation is

    an important religious tradition for Sikhs.

    Security & Force Protection Mark Checchia [email protected] members and allies are tackling the issue ofhow to pay for Afghanistans security forcesafter the Afghan governmenassumes responsibility for security in 2014, the Associated Press reports. A two-day meeting in Brussels included defence

    ministers from NATOs 28 member countries and 22 other nations which are involved in Afghanistan. Austerity measures

    and budget cuts are reportedly making it difficult to secure national contributions to finance the Afghan army and police. According to

    Tolo News, British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said ministers would consider What should be the long term size of the

    Afghan security forces and how are we going to share the cost of supporting that between different members of the international

    community. The Afghan army and police are scheduled to grow to more than 350,000 members by 2014. However, some officials

    have suggested that thesize of the Afghan forcescan be cut in order to reduce costs without jeopardising security in Afghanistan

    reports theAssociated Press. A reasonable number would be 230,000, French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet said.

    N

    The United Nations High Commission fo

    Refugees (UNHCR) announced it wouldoverhau

    its strategyto help Afghan refugees return to thei

    home country, reports Agence France Pres

    (AFP). UNHCR said it will invest i

    communities, health and education in order t

    create more attractive conditions for Afghan

    wishing to return. The head of UNHCR recentl

    met with Pakistani Foreign Minister Hin

    Rabbani Khar and discussed the agreemen

    reached in Dubai earlier this week amon

    Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and UNHCR t

    pursue a regional strategy aimed at findin

    durable solutions to the Afghan refugee situation

    Humanitarian Update

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012218213493884.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012218213493884.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012218213493884.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-01/pakistan-dismisses-nato-report-that-it-aids-afghanistan-taliban.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-01/pakistan-dismisses-nato-report-that-it-aids-afghanistan-taliban.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-01/pakistan-dismisses-nato-report-that-it-aids-afghanistan-taliban.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/world/asia/nato-plays-down-report-of-collaboration-between-taliban-and-pakistan.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/world/asia/nato-plays-down-report-of-collaboration-between-taliban-and-pakistan.htmlhttp://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/https://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttp://www.pajhwok.com/en/2012/02/02/abdullah-khar-confer-key-afghan-issueshttp://www.pajhwok.com/en/2012/02/02/abdullah-khar-confer-key-afghan-issueshttp://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_7E3sTbrms6bNHdR932JLrDF7xg?docId=CNG.a9687a877c9c8009cdaf09890cddba68.4a1http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_7E3sTbrms6bNHdR932JLrDF7xg?docId=CNG.a9687a877c9c8009cdaf09890cddba68.4a1http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16831412http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16831412http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.eurasianet.org/node/64953http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64953http://www.motca.gov.af/http://www.motca.gov.af/http://www.motca.gov.af/http://tolonews.com/en/business/5212-30-rise-in-afghan-ministry-of-transport-and-aviation-incomeshttp://tolonews.com/en/business/5212-30-rise-in-afghan-ministry-of-transport-and-aviation-incomeshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sikhs-detention-reveals-flaws-in-afghan-justice/2012/01/09/gIQAdf13cQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sikhs-detention-reveals-flaws-in-afghan-justice/2012/01/09/gIQAdf13cQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sikhs-detention-reveals-flaws-in-afghan-justice/2012/01/09/gIQAdf13cQ_story.htmlhttp://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/02/03/nato_mulls_paying_for_afghan_forces_after_2014/http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/02/03/nato_mulls_paying_for_afghan_forces_after_2014/http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/02/03/nato_mulls_paying_for_afghan_forces_after_2014/http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/02/03/nato_mulls_paying_for_afghan_forces_after_2014/http://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/nato-ministers-mull-financing-for-afghan-security-forces-post-2014/2012/02/03/gIQAk9jMmQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/nato-ministers-mull-financing-for-afghan-security-forces-post-2014/2012/02/03/gIQAk9jMmQ_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/nato-ministers-mull-financing-for-afghan-security-forces-post-2014/2012/02/03/gIQAk9jMmQ_story.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/http://www.unhcr.org/http://www.unhcr.org/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://tribune.com.pk/story/331215/repatriating-afghan-refugees-un-overhauls-strategy-to-help-afghans-return/http://www.unhcr.org/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/nato-ministers-mull-financing-for-afghan-security-forces-post-2014/2012/02/03/gIQAk9jMmQ_story.htmlhttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5244-panetta-urges-international-community-to-fund-afghan-forceshttp://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2012/02/03/nato_mulls_paying_for_afghan_forces_after_2014/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/sikhs-detention-reveals-flaws-in-afghan-justice/2012/01/09/gIQAdf13cQ_story.htmlhttp://tolonews.com/en/business/5212-30-rise-in-afghan-ministry-of-transport-and-aviation-incomeshttp://www.motca.gov.af/http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64953http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-03/nato-nears-afghan-transit-deal-with-russia-kommersant-says.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16831412http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h_7E3sTbrms6bNHdR932JLrDF7xg?docId=CNG.a9687a877c9c8009cdaf09890cddba68.4a1http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2012/02/02/abdullah-khar-confer-key-afghan-issueshttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/PAJHWOK_KarzaiKharCallForJointPeaceEfforts.pdfhttp://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/02/02/pakistan-says-willing-to-push-afghan-insurgents-towards-peace/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/02/world/asia/nato-plays-down-report-of-collaboration-between-taliban-and-pakistan.htmlhttp://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-01/pakistan-dismisses-nato-report-that-it-aids-afghanistan-taliban.htmlhttp://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2012/02/2012218213493884.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16821218
  • 8/2/2019 CFC Afghanistan Review Newsletter, 07 February 2012

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    07 February 2012 Page 4

    A United Nations report says that the number of civilian deaths in Afghanistan reached 3,021 in 2011, an 8% rise relative to the

    previous year and thehighest level in a decade, according to an article inthe Telegraph. The report attributes this rise to homemade

    landmines which explode indiscriminately and the Taliban insurgencys increasingly complex suicide attacks, sometimes involving

    multiple suicide bombers, and designed to yield greater numbers of dead and injured civilians.

    Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)assumed security responsibility from Spanish troops in parts ofBadghisprovince, reports

    Tolo News. The ANSF now are fully responsible for security in the capital, Qala-e Naw, and the Aab Kamary district. Spain has

    approximately 1,500 troops committed toNATOs International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), most of which are in Qala-e Naw

    This transfer is part of the second phase of the security transition, which will end with the ANSF being responsible for security across

    the country by 2014. The first phase of the transition was completed in July 2011.

    French troopshanded over Tagab military baseinKapisaprovince to the Afghan National Army (ANA) on 03 February, according to

    Khaama Press. The hand-over took place two weeks after an Afghan soldier killed four French troopsat the base. France has nearly

    4,000 troops supporting the ISAF mission in Afghanistan; most of them are based in Kapisa province. The French government plans

    to withdraw about 3,600 of its troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2013

    An ISAF press release says that an individual wearing an ANA uniform turned his weapon against an ISAF service member in

    southern Afghanistan on 31 January, killing one service member. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported that the suspect was

    taken into custodyby Afghan troops. According to the Associated Press, the ANAs chief, General Sayed Malluk, confirmed thatthe

    shooting took placeduring a night patrol inHelmandprovince. The suspect reportedly claims that the shooting was an accident.

    Acar bomb explodednear a police headquarters in Kandahar city on 05 February, killing 7 and injuring 19, Tolo News reported. Five

    of the dead were police officers. Those injured included six police and 13 civilians.

    The most recent Police Perception Survey by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) says that almost 80% o

    Afghans do not believe the Afghan National Police (ANP) are currently capable of maintaining order without assistance frominternational forces, according to Reuters. However, about three quarters of those surveyed think the ANP will be ready to provide

    security and address criminality by 2014. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) rejected parts of the

    survey, particular the portion which stated that nearly 80% of Afghan citizens believe the ANP are aware of Afghan law. The AIHRC

    was careful to point out, however, that an awareness of the law does not necessarily mean that the law is being followed by the ANP.

    The US Department of Defense (DoD) says the cost of the war in Afghanistan has dropped in the last few months, according to

    Business Week. The bill for operations fell to USD 5.3 billion per month for October and November 2011. This is down from the

    average of USD 7.8 billion per month in the fiscal year that ended in September 2011. The DoD says that the continuing withdrawal

    of US troops produced the drop in cost.

    Social & Strategic Infrastructure Rainer Gonzalez [email protected] the course of last week, two new television channels

    were inaugurated in Afghanistan, reports Pajhwok Afghan

    News. The first channel, Rasaa TV, was launched on 31

    January. The second channel, which will be entirely in Dari, is the

    product of a joint initiative between Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Iran.

    The idea for the Dari-language station was first proposed by the

    former Iranian President, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in 1991.

    However, subsequent insecurity in Afghanistan and Tajikistan resulted

    in the project being placed on hold. In 2006, Iranian President

    Mahmoud Ahmadinejad proposed the project again, and, in 2008, the

    three countries agreed on the overall direction of the channel.

    However, the project was again delayed due to disagreements among

    the three countries involved over the type of content to be broadcast.

    Officials from Afghanistans Ministry of Communication andInformation Technology (MCIT) told Pajhwok that these issues will

    be resolved during an upcoming meeting.

    In other news, residents of Helmand province complained that the current power supply in the city is not meeting their needs

    according to Pajhwok. Similarly, Kabul residents allege thatelectricity is frequently cut offin residential areas while commercial and

    government facilities go un-affected by cuts, reports Pajwhok. Officials from Afghanistans state-owned utility company, Da

    Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), said that the cuts were needed because of the heavy load on the transformers. They indicated

    that DABS focuses upon supplying businesses and government offices with power during the workday while providing electricity to

    households in the evenings.

    DThe snowfalls in northern Afghanistan are having major

    impacts on the transportation sector. Bakhtar News

    reported that Samangans provincial roads are currently

    closed, including theAibak-Kabul highway. Similarly, in

    Badakhshan province, the residents of 13 districts are

    facing serious problems as a result of the blocked roads,

    which are causing a shortage of basic goods. According

    to Pajjhwok, the same snowfalls have causedavalanches

    which killed four residents. On 05 February, the Salang

    Pass, a vital route that connects Kabul with the north of

    the country, was reopened to traffic, reported Pajhwok.

    Humanitarian Update

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9059630/Civilian-deaths-in-Afghanistan-at-highest-level-in-a-decade.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9059630/Civilian-deaths-in-Afghanistan-at-highest-level-in-a-decade.htmlhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9059630/Civilian-deaths-in-Afghanistan-at-highest-level-in-a-decade.htmlhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/factsheets/1667-10_ANSF_LR_en2.pdfhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/factsheets/1667-10_ANSF_LR_en2.pdfhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/factsheets/1667-10_ANSF_LR_en2.pdfhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5192-afghan-troops-take-over-security-responsibility-in-badghis?http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5192-afghan-troops-take-over-security-responsibility-in-badghis?http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5192-afghan-troops-take-over-security-responsibility-in-badghis?https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Badghis.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Badghis.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Badghis.aspxhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/mission.htmlhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/mission.htmlhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/mission.htmlhttp://www.khaama.com/french-troops-hands-over-tagab-military-base-to-afghan-army-560http://www.khaama.com/french-troops-hands-over-tagab-military-base-to-afghan-army-560http://www.khaama.com/french-troops-hands-over-tagab-military-base-to-afghan-army-560https://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Kapisa.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Kapisa.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Kapisa.aspxhttp://www.understandingwar.org/themenode/afghanistan-national-army-anahttp://www.understandingwar.org/themenode/afghanistan-national-army-anahttp://www.understandingwar.org/themenode/afghanistan-national-army-anahttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16645251?http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16645251?http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16645251?http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-140.htmlhttp://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-140.htmlhttp://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.military.com/news/article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttp://www.military.com/news/article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttp://www.military.com/news/article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttp://www.military.com/news/article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Helmand.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Helmand.aspxhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Helmand.aspxhttp://tolonews.com/en/anightly-news/5256-tolonews-05-february-2012?http://tolonews.com/en/anightly-news/5256-tolonews-05-february-2012?http://tolonews.com/en/anightly-news/5256-tolonews-05-february-2012?http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home.htmlhttp://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home.htmlhttp://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home.htmlhttp://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120131/wl_nm/us_afghanistan_police_surveyhttp://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120131/wl_nm/us_afghanistan_police_surveyhttp://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20120131/wl_nm/us_afghanistan_police_surveyhttp://www.understandingwar.org/afghan-national-police-anphttp://www.understandingwar.org/afghan-national-police-anphttp://www.understandingwar.org/afghan-national-police-anphttp://www.aihrc.org.af/enhttp://www.aihrc.org.af/enhttp://www.aihrc.org.af/enhttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5215-aihrc-rejects-un-police-reporthttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5215-aihrc-rejects-un-police-reporthttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5215-aihrc-rejects-un-police-reporthttp://tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5215-aihrc-rejects-un-police-reporthttp://www.defense.gov/http://www.defense.gov/http://www.defense.gov/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-03/pentagon-says-afghanistan-war-costs-dip-as-surge-troops-leave.html?http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-03/pentagon-says-afghanistan-war-costs-dip-as-surge-troops-leave.html?http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-02-03/pentagon-says-afghanistan-war-costs-dip-as-surge-troops-leave.html?https://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/Afghan-Iranian-Tajik%20TV%20channel%20to%20go%20on%20air%20_%20Pajhwok%20Afghan%20News.pdfhttps://www.cimicweb.org/Documents/CFC%20AFG%20PDF%20News%20Articles/Afghan-Iranian-Tajik%20TV%20channel%20to%20go%20on%20air%20_%20Pajhwok%20Afghan%20News.pdfhttp://www.rasaa.tv/http://www.rasaa.tv/http://mcit.gov.af/enhttp://mcit.gov.af/e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article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttp://www.military.com/news/article/another-afghan-soldier-kills-nato-servicemember.htmlhttp://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.rferl.org/content/man_in_afghan_army_uniform_kills_nato_soldier/24469752.html?http://www.isaf.nato.int/article/isaf-releases/isaf-casualty-140.htmlhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16645251?http://www.understandingwar.org/themenode/afghanistan-national-army-anahttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Kapisa.aspxhttp://www.khaama.com/french-troops-hands-over-tagab-military-base-to-afghan-army-560http://www.isaf.nato.int/mission.htmlhttps://www.cimicweb.org/AfghanistanProvincialMap/Pages/Badghis.aspxhttp://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/5192-afghan-troops-take-over-security-responsibility-in-badghis?http://www.isaf.nato.int/images/stories/File/factsheets/1667-10_ANSF_LR_en2.pdfhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9059630/Civilian-deaths-in-Afghanistan-at-highest-level-in-a-decade.html
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    07 February 2012 Page 5

    On 03 February, the first Afghan commercial railway commenced operations between Hairatan (on the Afghan-Uzbek border) and the

    city of Mazar-e Sharif in AfghanistansBalkhprovince, reports the Railway Gazette. The first train arrived at Naibabad station, just

    few kilometres East of Mazar-e Sharif, loaded with nine containers filled with flour from Kazakhstan and three containers filled with

    timber from Siberia. The 75-km line, which cost USD 165 million, is being operated by the Uzbekistan state railway corporation

    under a three-year concession.

    In addition, a number of individual social and infrastructure developments were reported by the media during the course of the past

    week (see the map, below):

    a. As many as 6,000 teachers have completed anin-service training courseinKunduzprovince, reports Pajhwok. The training lastedfor three years and was funded by theWorld Bank.

    b. The Ministry of Education (MoE) started to distribute land plots to teachers inLaghmanprovince, details Pajhwok. The MoEexpects that with the handing over of land plots, the retention rates of teachers will increase.

    c. According toBakhtar News Agency, anew medical centrehas been opened in Maroof district inKandaharprovince. The centrewhich will be open 24 hours per day, has eight rooms and employs 16 medical personnel.

    d. A new womens empowerment centre is being constructed in the campus of the American University of Afghanistan, reportPajhwok. The centre, funded by the US government at a cost of USD 5 million, will offer short and mid-length courses to broaden

    economic opportunities for women.

    e. Eight tonnesof substandard and expired medicines were burnt inNangarharprovince, notes Pajhwok. The medicines were seizedfrom 65 stores. Afghan authorities threatened to revoke the licenses of businesses caught selling the medicines.

    f. Bakhtarsays that construction related to40 utility projectshas begun in Helmand. The projects, which will be managed by theHelmand Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), focus on issues such as agriculture, education and irrigation.

    g. A new bridgeconnecting the cities ofQarghayi and Mendrawol in Laghman

    province has been finished, according

    to a press release from the United

    States Agency for International

    Development (USAID).

    h. Another 300-metre-long bridge inLalpura district in Nangarhar province

    has been inaugurated, reports

    Pajhwok. The bridge was funded and

    constructed under the supervision of

    the local PRT at a cost of USD 6.5

    million.

    i. The US Ambassador to Afghanistan,Ryan Crocker, pledged USD 30

    million to fund several projects in

    Ghazni province, according to

    Pajhwok. The initiative, which is

    framed under the 2013 Islamic

    Culture Capital, will span the

    implementation of several health,

    education, training and irrigation

    projects.

    Source: Modified fromPerry-Castaneda Library M

    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    07 February 2012 Page 6

    Transition in the Afghanistan-Pakistan War, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), January 2012, by Anthony

    H. Cordesman.

    Afghanistan, Annual Report 2011: Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict , United Nations Assistance Mission in

    Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Right (UNHCHR), January 2012.

    Doing Business 2012: Afghanistan, World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), January 2012.

    Return to Kandahar, The Real News (DVD), 2012, by Nelofer Pazira

    The readings and resources above were brought to the attention of the CFCs Afghanistan Team during the course of the past several weeks. The CFC does notendorse any of these documents or their content. If you would like to recommend a report or website for this section of the Afghanistan Review, please send the

    file or reference [email protected]. The CFC welcomes all recommendations but is not obliged to print them.

    Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan. The fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on

    Afghanistan(RECCA) will be held in the capital of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, on 26-27 March 2012. The conference will focus on

    strategies for enhancing commercial cooperation within Central and South Asia and beyond. President Hamid Karzai will

    reportedlybe leading Afghanistans delegation at the RECCA conference.

    Agricultural Development for Afghanistan Pre-Deployment Training. The United States Department of Agriculture(www.usda.gov) and a consortium of American universities deliver this training. The curriculum will meet the needs of all

    deploying United States Government personnel in support of the USG Agriculture Strategy in Afghanistan. The training is for

    United States Government personnel and will take place in Fresno, California on the following dates: 26-31 MAR, 02-07 APR

    and 18-23 JUN. Participants will be enrolled on a first come first serve basis. Contact Ryan Brewster, US Department of

    Agriculture, [email protected] further information.

    Field Security Management Course. The Centre for Safety and Development (CSD) will be holding its Field Security

    Management course in Afghanistan from 13-15 May 2012. The course reportedly addresses topics such as the following:

    Security Management, Context Analysis, risk assessment, security strategies and procedures, contingency planning, incident

    reporting and the development of action plans. Further information isavailable here.

    If you are a CFC account-holder and would like your notice to appear here, please send all relevant details [email protected]. The CFC is not obliged

    to print any notice that it receives, and the CFC retains the right to revise notices for clarity and appropriateness. Any notices submitted for publication in the

    Afghanistan Review newsletter should be relevant to Afghanistan and to the CFCs mission as a knowledge management and info rmation sharing institution.

    Recent Readings & Resources

    Afghanistan Events Calendar

    [email protected] Fusion Centre (CFC)ENGAGE WITH US

    http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/txu-oclc-309296021-afghanistan_admin_2008.jpghttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/txu-oclc-309296021-afghanistan_admin_2008.jpghttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/middle_east_and_asia/txu-oclc-309296021-afghanistan_admin_2008.jpghttp://csis.org/files/publication/120111_Afghanistan_Aspen_Paper.pdfhttp://csis.org/files/publication/120111_Afghanistan_Aspen_Paper.pdfhttp://csis.org/files/publication/120111_Afghanistan_Aspen_Paper.pdfhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f2fa7572.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f2fa7572.htmlhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f2fa7572.htmlhttp://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/fpdkm/doing%20business/documents/profiles/country/afg.pdfhttp://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/fpdkm/doing%20business/documents/profiles/country/afg.pdfhttp://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/fpdkm/doing%20business/documents/profiles/country/afg.pdfhttp://therealnews.com/kandahar/?gclid=CKDb7aqz-q0CFQnd4AodTmBbughttp://therealnews.com/kandahar/?gclid=CKDb7aqz-q0CFQnd4AodTmBbughttp://therealnews.com/kandahar/?gclid=CKDb7aqz-q0CFQnd4AodTmBbugmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.centreforsafety.org/http://www.centreforsafety.org/http://www.centreforsafety.org/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/Afghanistan/https://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/Afghanistan/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.facebook.com/cimicweb.orghttp://www.facebook.com/cimicweb.orghttp://www.facebook.com/cimicweb.orghttp://www.facebook.com/cimicweb.orgmailto:[email protected]://www.cimicweb.org/cmo/Afghanistan/mailto:[email protected]://www.centreforsafety.org/mailto:[email protected]://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11http://centralasiaonline.com/en_GB/articles/caii/newsbriefs/2012/01/20/newsbrief-11mailto:[email protected]://therealnews.com/kandahar/?gclid=CKDb7aqz-q0CFQnd4AodTmBbughttp://www.doingbusiness.org/~/media/fpdkm/doing%20business/documents/profiles/country/afg.pdfhttp://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4f2fa7572.htmlhttp://csis.org/files/publication/120111_Afghanistan_Aspen_Paper.pdf

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