Urgent Talks after Afghanistan Orders Diplomats Out

[Hissyspit]

Source: Agence France-Presse

Urgent talks after Afghanistan orders diplomats out

KABUL (AFP) - The United Nations said Wednesday it was in talks with the Afghan government over a "misunderstanding" that led Kabul to expel two senior European diplomats over claims they had contact with the Taliban.

The diplomats -- one from the European Union and the other a UN official -- were ordered to leave and their Afghan colleagues were arrested, the Afghan government said Tuesday.

The UN official, a British national who is a senior political advisor well versed in Afghan affairs, would leave the country in the next 48 hours, UN spokesman Aleem Siddique told AFP.

"We are hopeful he will be able to return swiftly so he can continue the important work that needs to take place in order to cement peace and stability and progress (in Afghanistan)," Siddique said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071226/wl_asia_afp/afghanistanunrestbritaineuun_071226065836

[cliss]

1. Afghanistan. Set to fall.

I've read that it's only a matter of days now, that's how serious things have become.

[bemildred]

2. Ah. I was wondering.

When there are secret "talks" with the guys that we were never going to talk to, that we were going to hunt down and kill, it does make me wonder. I notice we are calling out the "cleaners" for Pakistan too now. And Turkey seems to be going to war with Kurdistan with our blessing.

Who could have predicted this?

[ohio2007]

3. between the lines of this story, I wonder how much of this could be drug related. nt

[bemildred]

4. Expelled EU, U.N. officials leave Afghanistan

KABUL, Dec 27 (Reuters) - A senior United Nations official and another from the European Union left Afghanistan on Thursday after the government ordered their expulsion, accusing both of holding talks with the Taliban and for paying cash to the group.

The expulsions have caused a diplomatic row between the government and key aid agencies who fear the loss of two such experienced Afghan hands could hinder reconstruction and development efforts.

United Nations spokesman Aleem Siddique said the U.N. staffer had left on Thursday morning on a regular chartered flight to neighbouring Pakistan. Diplomats in Kabul confirmed the EU official, the mission's acting head, had been on the same flight.

While neither organisation has formerly named the pair, it is common knowledge in the capital that they are Michael Semple and Mervin Patterson, who have lived and worked in Afghanistan for more than a decade -- even during the rule of the Taliban that was toppled by the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSSP337417

[Doctor_J]

5. Talibanistan - a living monument to *'s incompetence

What a disgrace