Alla inlägg den 17 december 2013

Six Americans killed in helicopter crash

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Av loren adams - 17 december 2013 21:38

WASHINGTON — Six U.S service members were killed Tuesday when a helicopter crashed in southern Afghanistan, U.S and NATO officials said.

 One person on board the aircraft was injured and survived, two U.S defense officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

 A statement issued by the NATO international military coalition said the crash was under investigation and that there was no insurgent activity in the area. In Washington, an official originally said the helicopter had experienced engine failure before the crash, but later said that it was unclear whether that was the case.

 The deputy governor of southern Zabul province, Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar, said a NATO helicopter crashed in the remote district of Shajau and U.S officials later confirmed that Zabul was the location of the U.S crash.

 This year, 109 members of the U.S military have died in Afghanistan, out of a total of 139 members of the coalition.

The death toll has dropped significantly since the coalition handed over responsibility for security to Afghan forces last summer and coalition troops are now training and assisting.

By comparison, 394 foreign troops died last year, including 297 Americans.


 

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Long Time

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Av loren adams - 17 december 2013 07:51

 

I feel almost at times as i have felt

In happy childhood; pets and flowers and trees and brooks,

Which do remember me of where i dwelt

Ere my young mind was sacrified to books.

Come as of yore upon me, and can melt

My heart with recognition of their looks;

And even at moments i could think i know

Some living things to love - but none like you.


 

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Washington eases deadline

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Av loren adams - 17 december 2013 07:15

According to reports, Washington has extended the deadline for the signing of the bilateral security agreement with Afghanistan

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The US Secretary of State John Kerry insisted that bilateral security agreement between Kabul and Washington should be signed as soon as possible, however he said pact did not have to be concluded by January.

While speaking during an interview with the ABC television, Kerry said that the security pact could even be inked by the successor of president Hamid Karzai, who will be chosen in April next year.

Kerry said, “If American forces were not there, I think there would be serious challenges with respect to Afghanistan’s security.”
“But … I believe that Hamid Karzai, either he or his successor, will sign this,” he said, before adding “I think he needs to sign this,” Kerry added.

In response to a question on whether Karzai had to sign the deal by January, as had been agreed when the two sides launched negotiations a year ago, Kerry replied “no”.

Afghan president Hamid Karzai has said he will not sign the agreement with Washington unless United States promises to end airstrikes and raids on homes, in addition to helping broker peace talks with the Taliban group in a bid to end the violence in the country.

In the meantime, US officials have indicated President Obama is prepared to withdraw all forces from Afghanistan if its government does not agree to the existing security proposal.

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