Preliminary Talks With Taliban: NYT
Afghan fireman hoses a burning oil tanker after an explosive device planted underneath it exploded, on the Jalalabad-Torkham highway, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday, Oct . 20, 2010.
The New York Times is reporting more details on preliminary and provisional talks going on between the Afghan government and the Taliban. They also report that NATO forces are enabling the talks to go ahead, in some cases providing transport for top Taliban figures to Kabul for talks.
The Taliban leaders coming into Afghanistan for talks have left their havens in Pakistan on the explicit assurance that they will not be attacked or arrested by NATO forces, Afghans familiar with the talks say. Many top Taliban leaders reside in Pakistan, where they are believed to enjoy at least some official protection.
In at least one case, Taliban leaders crossed the border and boarded a NATO aircraft bound for Kabul, according to an Afghan with knowledge of the talks. In other cases, NATO troops have secured roads to allow Taliban officials to reach Afghan- and NATO-controlled areas so they can take part in discussions. Most of the discussions have taken place outside of Kabul, according to the Afghan official.
Also involved are figures in the Haqqani network, a group that has been behind attacks on both Afghan and NATO forces. The AP also has a story this morning quoting an Afghan parliamentarian saying talks are ongoing with Jalaludin Haqqani himself. In other news from Afghanistan, last month's parliamentary elections were so fraudulent 20% of the votes are being thrown out.
Pentagon Tells Recruiters To Accept Gays And Lesbians
A young man crosses the street in front of U.S. Army and Navy recruiting stations near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010.
The Pentagon says because of a judge's order telling them not to enforce Don't Ask Don't Tell, that Gays and Lesbians are welcome to join the armed forces. But they are also to be told that the Judge's order could be lifted at anytime and DADT would come back into effect. Gay advocacy groups are urging caution.
"During this interim period of uncertainty, service members must not come out and recruits should use caution if choosing to sign up," SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis said in the statement. "The bottom line: if you come out now, it can be used against you in the future by the Pentagon."
The Obama administration is expected to appeal the judge's order soon.
French Government Uses Force To Lift Blockade Of Fuel Depots
Riot police officers clash with youth in Lyon, central France, Wednesday Oct. 20, 2010.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent security forces in to re-open fuel depots blocked by strikers. From the BBC:
Across the country, one in three fuel stations has run dry. All 12 refineries on the French mainland have been affected by strike action.
French interior minister Brice Hortefeux authorised use of the paramilitary police to break blockades at fuel depots. He said he respected the right to protest, but that did not include the right to block workers or to commit pillage or violence.
France strikers say they will continue their protests today. There have already been clashes with police. They are protesting pension reforms that would raise the retirement age. Fascinating discussion in the comments on this post yesterday on some of the motivations behind the mass movement in France. It is always tricky to try and get inside the heads of people from another culture, and I appreciate those people who shared their insights.
Source: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/10/20/130692625/?ft=1&f=
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