Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Afghanistan

New Afghan Foreign Minister Chides Pakistan

Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta (file photo) (AFP)

PRAGUE, May 15, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- Afghanistan's new foreign minister, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, told RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan (RFA) today that Pakistan is not doing enough to catch Taliban leaders.

TEXT SIZE - +

May 15, 2006

The statement is likely to reignite a long-running war of words between Kabul and Islamabad, who have accused each other of intelligence and political failures in countering terrorism and insurgency in the region amid continuing violence in Afghanistan.

Spanta made his comments in an exclusive interview today with RFA.

"I'd mainly like [to emphasize] that although Pakistan has arrested several Al-Qaeda leaders, there has not been any significant action to arrest Taliban leaders," he said.

Spanta added that he has invited his Pakistani counterpart to visit Afghanistan for talks on issues of mutual interest.

Spanta also said that Afghanistan is ready to play a role in helping to reduce tensions between the United States and neighboring Iran over Tehran's nuclear activities.

A vendor in the central Bosnian town of Zenica sells heart-shaped cushions with proclamations of love for 1 euro each.

Love It (Or Hate It), It's Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day, the Western holiday celebrating love, has become a global phenomenon over the past two decades. The fall of communism and the emergence of the Internet have helped February 14 become something of an unofficial international day of romance. However, not all the passions the holiday stirs are related to love. While some countries have openly embraced the holiday, others are attempting to ban it or replace it with local customs. More

Gasoline prices have risen dramatically in Pakistan in recent years

In Pakistan, Cleaner Fuel Powers Supply, Safety Issues

Rising fuel prices have pushed Pakistan to become a global leader in using compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel vehicles. More

Family members of missing Baluchs, mostly political activists, rally in protest on the eve of international Human Rights Day in Quetta, Balochistan, on December 10, 2011.

U.S. Hearing On Balochistan Raises Hackles, Awareness In Pakistan

The U.S. Congressional hearing last week on Balochistan, the largest of Pakistan's four provinces, though it was firmly rejected by Islamabad, is being seen in Pakistan as any eye-opener for the state and its security agencies. More