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[ 24 May 2005 ]
Afghan President Signs 'Strategic Partnership' Agreement With Bush
Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. President George W. Bush signed a memorandum of understanding on a strategic partnership on 23 May, the second day of Karzai's four-day visit to the United States, a White House press release indicated. Bush said that both sides have been working on "for quite a while" on that partnership. Bush said the partnership "establishes regular high-level exchanges on political security and the economic interests of -- economic issues of mutual interests." The United States will "consult with Afghanistan if it perceives its territorial integrity, independence, or security is at risk," he said. Neither Bush nor Karzai, who described what he signed as "a memorandum of understading on the long-term partnership," discussed further details about their agreement or whether it includes a clause for the United States to establish permanent military bases in Afghanistan. AT
Former Taliban Intelligence Chief Registers As Candidate
Abdul Samad Khaksar has registered himself as an independent candidate in the southern Kandahar Province for the parliamentary elections scheduled for September, Kandahar TV reported on 21 May. Khaksar said he registered his name in response to public demand. Asked about the presence of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, something which the neo-Taliban reject, Khaksar said that his country "needs reconstruction," adding "we are not against any country that helps us," the Mazar-e Sharif-based daily "Baztab" reported on 22 May. Khaksar's registration follows that of former Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmad Mutawakkil, who also registered as a candidate from Kandahar (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 20 May 2005). AT
Confusion Over Two Foreigners Killed In Southern Afghanistan
Two men have been found shot dead in the Sur Ghar area of Zabul Province, the Pajhwak News Agency reported on 23 May. Golabshah Alikhail, spokesman for the Zabul governor, told the news agency that the two men are citizens of Uzbekistan. On 22 May, the neo-Taliban claimed to have killed two Russian citizens in Zabul. Neo-Taliban spokesman Latifullah Hakimi said that Russian passports were found on the two bodies, Pajhwak reported. AT
Italian Authorities Unhappy Over Handling Of Kidnapping...
The Turin daily "La Stampa" reported on 23 May that Italian intelligence sources are irritated by the handling of a kidnapping case of Italian Clementina Cantoni in Kabul. Discussing the abduction on 16 May (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 18 and 19 May 2005), an unidentified Italian intelligence source said: "Let us hope that the assembly-based and media-based handling of the kidnapping is over and done with as soon as possible." The source accused Kabul's security authorities of running a circus and showing "confusion, internal differences, [and] scant professionalism." The pattern developing in Cantoni's case, with the changing demands, shifting deadlines, and the abductors allowing their captive to speak to the authorities, is reminiscent of the case involving the abduction of three UN election workers in October 2004. That kidnapping ended peacefully amid confusion about whether a ransom was paid or any prisoners were released in exchange for the hostages' release (see "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report," 8 and 18 November and 3 December 2004). AT
...As Kidnapper Says Hostage Will Be Released Soon
Timor Shah, the self-proclaimed kidnapper of Cantoni who has been talking to the media and security forces using his hostage's cell phone, said on 23 May that "negotiations are going ahead" and that he will release her, the Milan daily "Il Giornale," reported. AT
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