U.N. staff to remain in Kandahar
U.N. and Afghan officials on Sunday reached an agreement that would keep the world body's national and international staff in Kandahar, said Zaimai Ayoubi, a spokesman for the province's governor.
The deal comes a week after the United Nations announced it was pulling 200 of its staff out of the Kandahar area because of the security situation.
The Afghan government has offered more protection of U.N. guest houses and offices, Ayoubi said.
Kandahar is the traditional stronghold of the Taliban, the Islamic militia battling NATO and Afghan government forces, and allied commanders are planning a new push to drive Taliban fighters out of the city.
Violence there has escalated in recent months, with numerous bombings and assassinations of officials, spurring the United Nations to move to pull out its staff. Afghan officials had criticized the U.N. plans, however.
- CNN's Atia Abawi contributed to this report.
@both stormvet and Tim.Would you just stop with all that right-wing bla-bla-bla about protecting us.It's about empire building and I just hope that the people realize it and shed their stupid right-wing mob mentality and stop defending this obscene war.
forgive syntax errors
TeaPartyExpress,
you and your "followers" are a disgrace and a shame to our selfless individuals protecting us from terror and distruction. GOD forgice me for syaing this, but let's see how you feel if soomeone you love is blown to bits in the US, then will you stand behind our service men/women?
if i remember right, one small voice was the first to criticize when they were talking of moving out. now that they are staying, he/she criticizes that!
@Tim
You are an utter disgrace to what our flag stands for. You serve as a pawn for the military-industrial complex, beat your chest, and then come home and berate others with dissenting opinions. DiD you get your swine flu shot yet?
STOP THE WAR!! "Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime." ~Ernest Hemingway -And there is no way to peace...peace is the way...
Bledsoe: You're an idiot. How does someone who doesn't have the balls to defend this country have the nerve to call us warriors names? You breathe now becasue of the sacrifices service members make every day in defense of our freedoms. Either pick up a gun or close your mouth. It's people like you that we defend and we'll keep doing it it. But do not judge something you do not even take the time understand.
HMC(SW/AW/FMF), USN
@Jim P. The concern is how will the UN begin affecting change if it's hundreds of miles away. The Afghan people continue to express their concern about the UN, Kandahar is the city where they live, work, and raise their children. How are they supposed to feel when the world body is giving up on them? The TB is unable to provide, plan, or coordinate public works and governance projects- they just don't have the resources or intelligence to do it. This is what they will attack this will be their target. The UN can not pull out it would be a huge defeat for us and a huge victory for the TB.
'
I agree we need to complete the mission in Afghanistan (whatever the powers to be decide it is) But why leave the UN staff in Kandahar to be an attractive target? If security is not adequate, pull them out until they can get control and then return when they have proven they can handle it.
I think you all need to get a life and quit arguing, GEEZE...
It's all about control and power. It's the ignorant, uneducated majority that's causing all these issues. The Taliban doesn't want the people to be educated because then they lose their control. And it's all in the name of "religion". I think God looks down on us and is surely disgusted that we can't all agree to disagree and live in peace!
@Onesmallvoice.You've said it all! We really need to stop listening to all these politically correct people like Col.Breazile and others and try to find a way out of this stupid war.But first of all,we need to vote all those warmongering right-wing thugs in Washington out of office.
Here's this politically correct Col.G.Breazile again with all bla-bla-bla about all our "progress" in Afghanistan.The American people need to realize that the Afghans do not want foreign rule and lose this right-wing mob mentality of theirs.The sooner the better!
This is great news! The International Community is committed to this mission and are making a difference in this country. Our Coalition Forces will remain in the fight against these insurgents until peace is achieved. The Afghan Army and Police are getting better everyday and I am working in the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan command that helps to recruit, train and resource the Afghan forces. It's rewarding work!
For information on our mission visit- http://www.ntm-a.com
Semper Fi,
Greg
@Bagram.Isn't the name of the place where all those political prisoners were tortured? And here's some of that bla-bla-bla about how foreigners are helping Afghanistan.If that's true,then why did they fight the Russians and why are they fighting NATO???
And yes, I know I spelled quarterback wrong.
How would you know Bledsoe you armchair quaterback! The man/woman is in country. I don't think there is anyone in a better situation to comment on the help the international community is providing than someone in Afghanistan.
@ In Kabul.I get sick and tired of seeing you warmongers blogging in all that right-wing bla-bla-bla about how much good the international community is doing in Afghanistan,especally when there's not a word of truth in it.What the Afghans want is to be left alone,free of all foreigners no matter who they are.
In Afghanistan, our commitment will make it possible for women to be educated, as well as men. If the Taleban is allowed to rule, then people will not even be allowed to play music at a wedding, among other things (many of which are even harsher in their restrictiveness). On the other hand, Iraq under Saddam Hussein had the freedom of a secular society, and now the mullahs and ayatolllas are terrorizing the people of Iraq. Its a quagmire to say the least, and now Iran and Syria are acting bold. Glad to hear things are working toward the better in Afghanistan.
What a total waste of time, money and energy, and for what? The entire Iraq/Afghan military action has and will not change any of their lives for the better. Through the eyes of history many times over the world has witnessed these actions and not one has ever proved to be effective or worthwhile,
I guess the same like "Onesmallvoice"!
Good news as long as their presence is seen as impartial, providing assistance to people based on need not political or military objectives.
This great news! Success in Afghanistan will require the participation of all of the international community to participate. My headquarters in Afghanistan is working to improve the quality of the Afghan National Security Forces will we grow the forces learn more at: ( http://www.ntm-a.com )
And why do we need the U.N. staff in Kandahar? Just to make NATO look good?