Afghan Council of Ministers calls for a review of international force presence; US agrees to take part in investigation into incident in Herat; UN: Area under poppy cultivation reduced from previous year
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    • The Afghan Council of Ministers meeting on August 25 decided to review the presence of international forces and agreements with foreign allies - including with NATO and the United States, after a series of military operations have led to mounting civilian losses. The ministers demanded a status of forces agreement, which would stipulate the authority and responsibilities of international forces, as well a stop to aerial bombing, illegal detentions and house raids. The defense and foreign affairs ministers were urged to begin negotiations with international partners1.

    The US on its part has agreed to take part in a joint investigation into reports that a recent air raid in western Afghanistan killed more than 90 civilians. US officials however insisted that most of those killed in Herat were militants and that only five civilians had died. UN and Afghan authorities would also assist in the probe2.

    Afghan security forces meanwhile began taking over command of Kabul from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Reports noted that this was largely a symbolic move and that there would be very little immediate impact on foreign forces still patrolling large parts of the city3.

    German opposition parties have also urged the German government to do a rethink on the issue of Germany’s involvement in the NATO-led ISAF after the killing of three Afghan civilians – a woman and two children, at a German military checkpoint in the northern province of Kunduz4. At the same time, Azerbaijan has offered to send more troops who would function under the command of NATO. This was indicated by the Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister during his visit to Kabul5.

    The body of a Japanese aid worker who was kidnapped on August 26 was recovered in the eastern province of Nangahar. Mr. Ito, an engineer, was kidnapped while inspecting an irrigation project. He was the third Japanese citizen to be kidnapped and killed in Afghanistan in the past three years6.

    A UN report noted that the area under poppy production in Afghanistan and the yield of opium from those crops had reduced in the current year compared with 2007. It stated that among the country’s 34 provinces, 18 had become poppy-free as compared with 13 poppy-free provinces in 2007. Despite such positive reports however, Afghanistan remained the world’s biggest opium producer7.

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