English.news.cn 2010-09-22 15:49:49
KHOST, Afghanistan, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Afghan and NATO-led troops eliminated 27 Taliban militants in Khost province east of Afghanistan, an Afghan military officer in the province Mohammad Irsar said Wednesday.
"The joint operation conducted in Mirsamar village of Spirai district late Tuesday night which left 27 rebels dead," Israr told Xinhua.
Air power had also been used during the operation, he further said.
Taliban militants who vowed to intensify their activities against Afghan and NATO-led troops have yet to make comment.
Using airpower against Taliban in southern Kandahar province left six militants dead on Tuesday while a helicpter crashed in the neighboring Zabul province left nine NATO soldiers dead on the same day Tuesday, NATO-led troops confirmed in statements.
Afghanistan: Electoral Institutions in a crucial phase (click title to entry - thank you)
Published on 2010-09-22 9:27:11
French. News. Cn
KABUL, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) - The Afghan electoral institutions are now entering a crucial phase of their mission after the parliamentary elections held September 18 and they must be able to work independently, said Tuesday Special Representative of UN Secretary General for Afghanistan, Staffan de Mistura.
"The Independent Electoral Commission has shown considerable strength and determinan in his decision before election day. The post-election days are just as critical: transporting ballots and other sensitive materials to the main center for counting votes, organize the process to ensure that irregularities are detected and that voting ballots are counted carefully, "said Mr. de Mistura said in a statement.
The Special Representative said that the Election Commission had significantly improved the organization of these elections compared to last year, in a context marked by insecurity and logistical difficulties.
The Head of Mission United Nations Assistance in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that the Electoral Complaints Commission was an equally important role to play. "Anyone who has evidence of election violations should complain to the Commission," he said.
According to him, "the electoral institutions of Afghanistan are now entering a critical phase of their mandate enshrined in the law to finalize the election. They "must be able to act completely independently, free from any interference. The independence of these institutions is crucial for the credibility of the finalization of the electoral process, "he has said.
On Saturday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon hailed the courage and determination of men and women of Afghanistan who went to vote in parliamentary elections. More than 2,500 people, including about 400 women, vying for 249 seats in the Wolesi Jirga, the lower house of Parliament of Afghanistan.
In a report released Tuesday, Ban Ki-Moon returns to the developments in Afghanistan since June He said the International Conference held in Kabul in July demonstrated the commitment of the Afghan government to exercise greater control over its future. "It should congratulate the Afghan government, including national security forces, for this historic achievement, which also required extensive logistical preparations and organization," he writes.
The Conference resulted in commitments by mutual agreement, including on the establishment of a framework, timetables and benchmarks for the new national priority programs, progress towards the empowerment of the Security Afghans, improving governance and the fight against corruption.
"The rapid implementation of these commitments will be essential to maintain the positive momentum of the process of Kabul and urge the international community to provide all necessary assistance to support the process, taking more account of Afghan priorities," said Ban said in its report to the Security Council and UN General Assembly.
In general, the Secretary-General believes that much progress in Afghanistan are fragile and continues to be threatened by the deteriorating security situation.
"The pursuit of electoral reform in the long term remains an important priority. We need the debate on this reform begins at the earliest, "he writes. "A key part of the activities of UNAMA since the elections of September 18 will focus on the electoral reform agenda with the government, electoral institutions and all relevant international and Afghan partners.
See also:
Disappearance of two election officials and thousands of petitions filed in the Afghan election
Ghazni (Afghanistan), Sept. 21 (Xinhua) - Two election officials of the Afghan Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have disappeared from the parliamentary election on Saturday as nearly 3,000 formal complaints have been filed so far by individuals in the country plagued by militancy.
