Afghanistan

Afghanistan: Kabul TV Lifts Ban On Women Singers

Kabul TV has shown the image of a woman singing a romantic ballad for the first time in more than 10 years. RFE/RL reports on the reactions.

Afghanistan: Pakistani Prime Minister Vows To Join Kabul In Fight Against Terrorism

Pakistani Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is in Kabul today for his first official visit to Afghanistan. The trip comes as Pakistan continues a military operation in its autonomous tribal regions near its border with Afghanistan aimed at capturing Islamic militants.

Karzai Confirms He Will Run In Afghan Presidential Election

Kabul, 10 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai confirmed today that he will be a candidate in the country's upcoming presidential election.

U.S. Rejects UN Warning About Afghan Election Delay

Washington, 8 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- The United States today rejected a UN warning that Afghanistan's first democratic elections may not occur in June, as scheduled, because of delays in voter registration.

Western Press Review: Not-So-Liberal Democracies, And South Asian Economic Secularism

Prague, 8 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Commentary and analysis in the press today takes a look at some of the world's newest democracies, liberal and otherwise; South Asia's growing wealth and secularist trends; a new report warning of the severe effects of global warming; and building a more democratic civil society in Iran, among other issues.

Afghanistan: Annan Says Lack Of Security Threatens Elections

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has warned the Security Council that violence could jeopardize Afghanistan's crucial presidential election scheduled for midyear.

UN Chief Warns Violence Could Hurt Afghan Elections

Afghanistan/Iraq: Immigrants Discover That Australia Offers No Warm Welcome

For years, Australia has carried on a battle with illegal immigrants who try to enter the country by all possible means. The immigrants, mostly from Afghanistan and Iraq, have been met with warships, barbed wire, and detention in remote and inhospitable camps. International human rights organizations are concerned at the situation, but the Australian federal government of Prime Minister John Howard remains adamant that it will not take in illegal immigrants.

At Least 10 Killed In Afghanistan Bomb Blast

Kandahar, 6 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- A bomb blast in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 10 people and wounded at least 15. Police said eight of the killed were children.

Afghanistan: Loya Jirga Approves Constitution, But Hard Part May Have Only Just Begun

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan has praised Afghanistan's new constitution as a historic achievement. U.S. President George W. Bush says the document lays the foundation for democratic institutions and elections before the end of the year. But observers question whether a country emerging from more than two decades of fighting can be so quickly transformed. They say the ethnic divisions that still exist in the country will make implementation extremely difficult.

De Hoop Scheffer Takes Over As NATO Secretary-General

Brussels, 5 January 2004 (RFE/RL) -- Former Dutch Foreign Minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer took over today as the secretary-general of NATO.