Afghanistan News July 28, 2008: Today's headlines.....

Corruption helps Afghan drug lords evade justice-UN
By Jon Hemming
KABUL, July 28 (Reuters) - Corruption in Afghanistan is hobbling efforts to combat the booming opium trade with powerful drug lords evading justice by simply making a telephone call to friends in high places

Bamyan to be cleared of all mines
By Homayon Khoram Source: United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) July 28, 2008
The historic city of Bamyan will be cleared of landmines by October this year.

Kidnapped French nationals fine: Afghan official
July 28, 2008
KABUL (Reuters) - Two French aid workers kidnapped in Afghanistan this month are fine and the government is doing all it can to secure their freedom, the interior minister said on Monday.

Bush to press Pakistani PM on extremist attacks
by P. Parameswaran Mon Jul 28, 6:28 AM ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush will meet with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday in an effort to press Islamabad to take a tougher stance against Pakistani-based

Spy agency confusion in Pakistan
By M Ilyas Khan BBC News, Karachi Monday, 28 July 2008
Pakistan's government says it will clarify why it reversed a move to put the most powerful intelligence agency, the ISI, under civilian control.

UN envoy backs Karzai against Pakistan
Canadian the first Western diplomat to publicly support Afghan leader's accusation that Islamabad spies are behind recent attacks
GRAEME SMITH Globe and Mail (Canada) July 28, 2008
KABUL — Pakistan's intelligence agents are likely responsible for recent attacks in Afghanistan, and the international community should support the Afghan government's complaints about such activity, a senior United Nations envoy says.

Security developments in Afghanistan, July 28
July 28 (Reuters) - Following are security developments in Afghanistan reported until 1120 GMT on Monday.

NATO troops kill 2 in Afghanistan
Associated Press Mon Jul 28, 4:32 AM ET
KABUL, Afghanistan - NATO says its troops have killed two children in southern Afghanistan by opening fire on a car that they feared was about to attack their convoy.

Private Contractors' Role in Afghanistan
To Grow With Awarding of Latest Contracts
By Walter Pincus The Washington Post Monday, July 28, 2008; A15
With billions of dollars newly available in fiscal 2008 supplemental war funding, the Congressional Research Service last month estimated that the Defense Department is now spending $2.3 billion a month in Afghanistan.

Private Contractors' Role in Afghanistan To Grow With Awarding of Latest Contracts
The Washington Post - Politics By Walter Pincus Monday, July 28, 2008
With billions of dollars newly available in fiscal 2008 supplemental war funding, the Congressional Research Service last month estimated that the Defense Department is now spending $2.3 billion a month in Afghanistan.

Bazaar opens but progress slow in Sangin
By Alastair Leithead BBC News, in Sangin Monday, 28 July 2008
Two years ago British troops were fighting for their lives in the small Afghanistan town of Sangin, defending a compound next to the river which the Taleban were trying to overrun.

Afghanistan: US "battlefield damage aid" helps recovery in Helmand Province
KABUL, 28 July 2008 (IRIN) - About two months after Taliban insurgents were forced out of Garmsir District in Helmand Province, US forces have been helping local people to rebuild their properties and livelihoods.

Iceland Supports Energy Project in Afghanistan
IcelandReview (Iceland) July 28, 2008
The Icelandic Crisis Response Unit, which is based in Afghanistan, is supporting development work in the rural Ghor region through the construction of hydropower plants. Iceland's Ministry for Foreign Affairs finances the entire project.

‘Do more’ chorus harps on
By Gul Jammas Hussain The Tehran Times July 27, 2008
The “do more” phenomenon has set off a conflagration of extremism and terrorism in the tribal areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan whose flames are threatening to consume most of the country.

Truck drivers block trade between Afghan and Iran
Written by www.quqnoos.com & PAN Sunday, 27 July 2008
Afghan truck drivers demand Iran reduceroad tax from trucks going to Iran
Truck drivers have protested and have blocked the Silk Bridge, which is the border between Afghanistan’s Nimroz province and Iran.

Gunfire blocks Kabul-Jalalabad highway
Written by www.quqnoos.com Sunday, 27 July 2008
Police and militants battle for one hour in Sorobi district
Law enforcement officers and militants reportedly exchanged gunfire Saturday morning in Sorobi district, which lies between Kabul and the eastern province of Nangarhar.