KABUL?-?Afghan lawmakers on Saturday endorsed a controversial new spymaster, accused of torturing detainees, and two other security chiefs who will likely play a key role as Kabul takes on increasing powers as NATO troops withdraw over the next two years.
President Hamid Karzai had last month nominated Asadullah Khalid, the outgoing borders and tribal affairs minister and two-time former provincial governor, to head the National Directorate of Security (NDS) despite strong criticism from Western human rights groups.
The nomination was part of a cabinet reshuffle, which has been interpreted as Karzai?s effort to secure his powerbase before anointing a successor to stand for election in 2014. Khalid, who is fiercely anti-Taliban and close to the Karzai family, secured a comfortable majority among the 241 lawmakers present, winning 143 votes ? well clear of the minimum threshold of 121 ? in an open vote broadcast live on state TV.
It is expected that he will have to work closely with the CIA in his new position.
In a speech before the vote, Khalid promised a clean leadership but made no mention of the accusations against him. ?I will try to make the NDS a home for all AFghans. It will not be politicised and will remain impartial. There will be no toleration of those who are against the nation. We will foil terrorist activities in their sanctuaries,? he said.
Parliament narrowly approved as defence minister the outgoing interior minister Bismillah Mohammadi with 124 votes, and his former deputy, Mujtaba Patang, as interior minister with 129 votes.
But Haji Din Mohammad, a former commander who fought against Soviet troops in the 1980s, failed to secure the requisite majority to become borders and tribal affairs minister.
Amnesty International had urged parliament to delay the vote, asking lawmakers to investigate claims of Khalid?s ?involvement in numerous alleged acts of torture and other grave human rights violations?. The London-based rights group said he has been linked to numerous cases of torture and unlawful killings over the past decade, while serving as governor of Ghazni province from 2001-05 and of Kandahar from 2005-08.
It also said there were credible allegations that Khalid was involved in the bombing of a vehicle that killed five UN workers in Kandahar in April 2007.
Eddie Murphy died Suzanne Barr Clint Eastwood speech Maria Montessori clint eastwood Julian Castro Chris Lighty
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.