The forty fourth edition of the Truth newsletter is published with the most important issues reflected in the Kabul print media in the areas of prospects for political transition, human rights, corruption, and reconciliation with the Taliban.
The Truth Newsletter team in the Afghanistan Watch has provided each section of the abovementioned categories with analysis and present readers the newsletter in print and soft copies.
In the forty fourth edition of the newsletter, the section on reconciliation with anti-government armed groups had the largest number of news articles and involved most of the political discussions in the Afghan print media.
Prospects of political transition: The meeting of heads of national front and the efforts for establishing a coalition of former Mujaheedin commanders in the government for the upcoming presidential election; concerns over fraud in the upcoming presidential election by the government; emphasis by the Afghan president for preventing interference in the upcoming presidential election; conditionalized preparation of the Hizb-e-Islami in taking part in the upcoming presidential election; government and the Independent Election Commission’s emphasis over the use of old voting cards and the harsh stance of opposition regarding the issue; new reports about the possible nomination of Mahmoud Karzai, brother of President Karzai, and Zulmai Khalilzad, former US ambassador to Afghanistan in the upcoming presidential election; difference of opinion in the parliament regarding approval of new election law; President Karzai’s request for resignation of those government officials who would like to take part in the presidential election; latest remarks by president Karzai about 2014 and withdrawal of foreign forces and also talks about signing security agreement with the US and security agreement with Pakistan, were the most important news that were reflected in the Kabul print media.
Reconciliation process: President Karzai’s remarks regarding reconciliation with the Taliban and emphasis on negotiation with the Taliban through the High Peace Council; the views of experts regarding latest attacks by the Taliban and its impacts on the peace process; emphasis by the ministry of foreign affairs that it will only allow an office for Taliban in Qatar if the group announces its readiness for the peace talks; concerns by a number of media outlets from the increasing Taliban attack in the country; doubts expressed by a number of experts from government’s progress in the peace talks; the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Britain in London over the peace talks with Taliban; President Karzai’s remarks regarding intervention of some countries in the peace process; India’s readiness to help the peace process in Afghanistan; media’s emphasis on the role of Pakistan in the areas of peace and doubts over honest cooperation by Pakistan with the Afghan government; the conference of Afghanistan and Pakistan scholars regarding the peace process; President Karzai’s optimism for bringing peace; optimism expressed by President Karzai for the peace talks and Germany hosting peace talks in the coming weeks, were the main issues discussed during the month in the Kabul print media.
Human rights: Concerns about the situation of women in the safe shelters; emphasis on the role of international community regarding maintaining human rights; concerns expressed by the Independent Human Rights Commission about the condition of human rights in Afghanistan; human rights activists emphasis on investigation of Shakila’s murder case; Independent Human Rights Commission’s remarks regarding those who committed war crimes; demands by the women’s rights activists for the inclusion of women in the justice and legal institutions in the country; latest report by the human rights watch accusing the government of human rights violation; decreasing employment of women in the government organizations; concerns over the condition of human rights after the withdrawal of NATO forces in 2014, and emphasis by the chair of Independent Human Rights Commission regarding justice to be taken into consideration in the peace talks, were the main issues reflected in the areas of human rights during the month in Kabul print media.
Corruption: Warning by an American official about the possible cut off of the aid to Afghanistan in case of lack of serious fight by the Afghan government against corruption; latest remarks by the High Office of Anti-Corruption regarding registration of government officials assets; latest remarks by the special representative of the EU regarding widespread corruption in the legal institution in the country; reports indicating the sale of Kankor university entrance exam papers; warning by the High office of Anti-corruption to government officials and the five government institutions introduced in Afghanistan as the most corrupt ones; the latest report by the UN about the payment of about 4 billion dollars as bribe in the country and the government’s reaction regarding; reports about widespread corruption in the ministry of defense; President Karzai’s demand from the US to help curb corruption in Afghanistan; criticism by the minister of Rural and Rehabilitation from the decision made by the Attorney General’s office about the case of a company accused of corruption; and the emphasis on the role of people in reducing corruption in the country were some of the main issues regarding fighting corruption in the country reflected in the Kabul print media.

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The forty third edition of the “Truth” newsletter is published reflecting the most critical issues discussed in the Afghan print media outlets in Kabul in the areas of prospects of political transition, human rights, corruption, and reconciliation with Taliban.
The the “Truth” newsletter staff have categorized the issues discussed in the Afghan print media into four categories and provided each section with analysis for the readers.
The forty third edition of the newsletter includes the highest number of news pieces in the areas of political transition which was widely discussed in the print media during the month.

Prospects of political transition: President Karzai’s visit to the US and meeting President Obama, and analysis offered regarding the talks between the two presidents, the security agreement between Kabul and Washington and the conditions brought by the two countries, the issue of upcoming election and concerns expressed by the political organizations, the issue of the draft of the new election law and objections expressed regarding the changes in the law, the 2014 withdrawal of foreign forces and efforts by Afghan security forces to prepare for possible threats after the withdrawal of foreign forces, concerns expressed by the ministry of foreign affairs and parliament regarding the economic challenges after the 2014 withdrawal of foreign forces, NATO’s optimism from the qualitative and quantitative growth of Afghan security forces, analysis and commentaries offered by the regarding the possible nomination of Zulmai Khalilzad in the upcoming presidential election, the government opposition asking for prevention of unlawful interference by the government in the election affairs, emphasis by the US defense secretary on continued aid for Afghanistan, the demand of Kabul from Washington for strengthening Afghan air force and equipment of Afghan security forces were some of the most important issues in the areas of prospects for political transition reflected in the Kabul print media.

Reconciliation : Taliban’s demand from the Islamic scholars not to attend the Islamic Conference Kabul, remarks by the ministry of foreign affairs regarding Taliban becoming a political party, the foreign ministry’s opposition against holding peace meetings outside the country and emphasis on internalizing peace efforts, remarks by members of the High Peace Council regarding release of Taliban prisoners from Pakistani jails, emphasis by the Afghan foreign ministry over acceptance of preconditions by the government for opening Taliban office in Qatar, expression of hopes by Kabul over Tehran’s cooperation regarding peace in the country, Taliban’s stance over the complete withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan. In addition to this the emphasis on the role of Islamic scholars regarding maintaining peace in the country was the most important issues in the areas of reconciliation with government opposition as reflected in Kabul’s print media.

Human rights: Demands by the civil society organizations for prevention of nomination of those who committed violation of human rights in the presidential election; increasing incidents of violence against women in the northern province of Faryab; accusations against the insurgents for being behind violence against women; gang rape of girl in Ghazni province and the concerns expressed by the Independent Human Rights Organization in the province; the arrest of more than 1400 people in connection with violence against women;  the release of a report indicating deprivation of millions of children from receiving education in Afghanistan; Taliban’s hanging of a woman social activist in Maidan Wardak province; people’s protest against the killing of Hazaras in Pakistan, the criticism brought up by the transitional justice group against the government of Afghanistan and the international community for being in a rush to release Taliban prisoners, were the most important issues reflected in the Kabul print media in the areas of human rights during the month.

Corruption: Harsh criticism by the Lower House of Parliament over lack of meritocracy in the appointment of government employees; Second Vice President’s criticism of lack of equity in the appointment of healthcare workers in the provinces; the release of a new report by the special government oversight commission regarding illegally occupied lands in the country; and the fight against corruption reaching to a deadlock; criticism of the director of anti-corruption office against the Attorney General’s office; the release of reports about embezzlement of hundreds of thousands of US dollars from the central bank’s branches in the provinces; The Afghan parliament Senate’s expression of concern over disappearance of hundreds of rounds of weapons and many police vehicles in Nuristan province. In addition to this, the second vice president, Karim Kahlili’s call for fight against corruption by the local government officials; the release of names of big land grabbers and a new report by the US inspector’s office over embezzlement of billions of dollars in the military projects in Afghanistan, were some of the most important issues discussed in the areas of corruption in Kabul’s print media during the month.

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The forty second edition of “Truth” newsletter is published as usual with the most important topics published in the Kabul print media outlets in the areas of prospects for political transitions, human rights, corruption, and reconciliation with the Taliban.
Our colleagues at the Truth newsletter group have made effort to collect the most important issues reflected in the print media in Kabul in four main categories and provide an analysis for each category respectively.
In contrast to previous editions, in forty second edition, most of the topics during the month published and discussed in the media included the events in the areas of reconciliation with the Taliban and incidents of human rights violations.  
Prospects of Political Transition: The topics in this section include: remarks by President Karzai regarding future of Afghanistan; concerns expressed by the government political opposition regarding upcoming presidential election; the draft law of the election and reaction against the modification; the Afghan foreign ministry asking Islamabad to put into practice its commitment regarding the country; President Karzai’s remarks regarding security agreement to be signed between Afghanistan and the US; the dissolution of the Election Complaint Commission and subsequent criticism of the government opposition about the measure; efforts underway to compile the doctrine for the foreign policy of Afghanistan by the ministry of foreign ministry; the US Secretary of Defense’s visit to Kabul, and Karzai’s upcoming visit from Washington, were the most important issues in the areas of prospects for political transition during the month reflected in the Kabul print media.
Reconciliation: Criticism by a number of media organizations over the peace process and joint meeting of government representatives, Taliban and Northern Alliance members in Paris France; ISAF’s statement regarding armed men ready to join the reintegration process, suicide attack on Assadullah Khalid and its effects on the peace process, media newspapers  calling the peace process as being symbolic, optimism regarding peace meeting in Paris for speeding up the peace process, remarks by the US Secretary of Defense regarding the danger posed by rebels in Pakistan toward Afghanistan, and Pakistan being concerned about formation of an inter-Afghan coalition for the peace efforts, were among the most important news in the during the month in the areas of reconciliation reflected in the Kabul print media.
Human Rights: Increasing concerns over deterioration of conditions of children in the country; recent increase in the number of violence against women; Parliament asking for the trial of women’s rights violators; execution of criminals approved by President Karzai; call for no immunity for the Taliban joining the peace process; the Attorney General’s warning heavy punishment for violators of women’s rights; sexual assault on a child in the northern part of the country; murder and suicide of several girls in the provinces; criticism by the Ulema’s over the way fight against violation of human rights take place; call from the Media Watch organization for release of an investigation result on the killing of journalists and concerns express by UN over lack of investigation over cases concerning violence against women. These are the most important issues reflected in the human rights area during the month in Kabul’s print media.
Corruption: Concerns over rise in opium cultivation in some provinces; people complaining from public and private hospitals; statement by former head of Afghan Central Bank about embezzlement in Kabul bank; land grabbers fleeing outside the country and statement by the Attorney General’s office regarding the issue; concerns over the situation police and the interior affairs minister’s statement about lack of national police; increasing administrative corruption in the government and non-government departments and its impacts on the lives of children; protest in Kabul and Bamiyan in regard with corruption; criticism by the High Office of Anti-Corruption over lack of investigation on cases of corruption involving senior government officials; concerns of UN from the lack of investigation of cases involving women’s rights  in the justice system, and finally remarks by British Ambassador in Kabul regarding financial corruption in the international community organizations’ were the important topics discussed in the during the month in the areas of corruption and lack of transparency in Kabul’s print media.

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The forty first issue of the Truth Newsletter as usual is published this month with the most important issues discussed in Kabul print media.
The prospects for political transition, reconciliation with Taliban, fighting corruption, the issues related to human rights are the important topics in this issue of the Truth Newsletter. The staff of the newsletter have made effort to gather the most important issues regarding these four categories, as reflected in the Kabul print media.
The category having the largest share of news and events is the section about Prospects of Political Transition.
The Prospects of Political Transition: The topics in this section include the 2014 Presidential Election; concerns expressed by the political movements regarding the date of election; reform of the election law; bargains over the membership of two foreign members in the Election Complaint Hearing Commission; negotiation over signing security agreement between Afghanistan and the US; the issue of Durand Line; restriction on travels of government officials outside the country; reactions over Ismail Khan’s distribution of weapons in Herat province and the concerns expressed by the human rights organization regarding the issue; concerns over construction of an Islamic center in Afghanistan by the Saudi Arabia; and the criticism over unconstitutional holding of the provincial council.
Reconciliation: The visit of High Peace Council delegation from Pakistan and the optimism of the council regarding co-operation by the Pakistani officials regarding negotiation with armed government opposition such as the Taliban; the agreement between the two countries regarding release of Taliban prisoners from Pakistani prisons; the request by Kabul and Islamabad for removing Taliban names from the UN black list; President Karzai asking the Taliban for taking part in the presidential election; reactions over Saudi Arabia’s intervention in the peace talks between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban; concerns by the Parliament over ambiguity in the peace talks; and the serious opposition by the parliament over release of Taliban prisoner and removal of their names from the UN black list, were the most important issues discussed in this section.
Human Rights: The expression of concerns over the increasing use of IEDs in Afghanistan; the criticism of President Karzai from the NATO for being neglectful of civilian casualties; concerns expressed by the human rights organizations from the increase in violence against women; incidents of child rape in the country; the criticism of the Marshal Fahim, first vice president, from the lack of trial of criminals; the emphasis by the lower house of the parliament over arrest of those behind assassination of MPs in the recent years; and the criticism over anti women’s rights sermons of Mullahs in the mosques on Fridays, were the most important topics discussed in the areas of human rights in the Afghan print media during the month.
Corruption: Criticism over the absence of MPs in the sessions of parliament; criticism over  unspent budgets in the ministries; the disclosure of corruption in the contracts of the ministry of defense; increase in the smuggling of dollars from Afghanistan to Iran; the trial of those behind collapse of Kabul Bank; the High Office of Oversight and Anti-corruption asking the Attorney General Office for investigation of corruption cases involving government officials; Mohmmad Karim Khalili, the second vice president, expressing concerns over land grabbing, were important issues regarding corruption reflected in the Kabul print media.

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The fortieth edition of the Truth Newsletter is published as usual with the most important issues and topics reflected in the print media in Kabul.
The prospects of political transition, reconciliation with the Taliban, corruption and transparency in the government organizations and the issues of human rights are the important topics included in the newsletter. The staff of the newsletter have gathered the news articles from the print media in Kabul and classified them in four categories for the readers.
In the fortieth edition of the Truth Newsletter, about 90 news articles have been explored in the Afghan print media among which the section prospects for political transition has the largest share of the news.
Prospects for Political Transition: The news articles in this section include the International Crisis Group, ICG report regarding Afghanistan and possible collapse of the Afghan government following 2014, the reaction by the government in response to the report; the continued cross-border shelling by Pakistan onto eastern Afghanistan and the debate whether to sign a strategic agreement with Pakistan; the concerns of the Independent Election Commission regarding funding for the upcoming presidential election; the ongoing efforts to sign security agreement with the US and the expression of support by NATO commanders for Afghanistan following 2014, and the remarks by Imran Khan the leader of Tehrik-e-Insaf party calling the war in Afghanistan as legitimate.
In addition to this, remarks by the special representative of the Russian president regarding finding regional solution to the Afghan war, and the concerns expressed over possible restriction on the media activities in the country were other topics included in this section.
Reconciliation with Anti-government Armed Groups: The trilateral meeting among Afghanistan, Pakistan and Britain regarding peace talks, the UN’s proposal for holding inter-Afghan meetings in Kabul, the call from the High Peace Council asking the Pakistani leaders to prevent from expressing irresponsible remarks about the war in Afghanistan, the new stance of the Ulama Shura about current war in Afghanistan and the Senate call for revision of the strategy to talks with the Taliban, were the important issues discussed in the media in this section.
Corruption: The efforts for investigating corruption allegations in the ministry of mines, the emphasis by the Attorney General’s office for investigation over allegation of corruption against Azizullah Lodin and the deputy defense minister, concerns over land mafia strengthening its power in a number of provinces, are among the most important issues published in the media in this area.
In addition to this, the existing corruption in the secretariat of the Lower House of the parliament, were other topics published in this area.
Human Rights: The report about hanging of a number of Afghan prisoners in Iran, the emphasis by the human rights activists over the role of women in the government, the group rape of a teenage girl in the northern Afghanistan, concerns over growing violence against women in Herat in the west of the country, the objection of the Ministry of Refugees Affairs over Iran’s lack of compliance to the agreement signed between the two countries, and the Noble Alternative prize awarded to Sima Samar, the head of the Independent Human Rights Commission, were among the news published in the media in this area.

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The 39th edition of Truth Newsletter is presented with selection of news from the print media publications in Kabul. The current edition contains the most important events in Afghanistan in the areas of prospects for political transition, reconciliation with insurgents, human rights and corruption.
The descriptions of the events are presented in the same way as they are reflected in the Afghan print media with no addition or omission of the contents.
The largest share of the events in this edition are in the areas of prospects for political transition section.
This edition contains 50 news in the areas of political transition, 11 news on reconciliation with insurgents, 13 news in the areas of human rights, and 12 news in the areas of corruption.
Prospects for Political Transition: The green on blue attacks or killing of foreign forces by Afghan soldiers, increasing suicide bombing and insecurity in the country, the transfer of Bagram prison to Afghan forces, the vote of confidence for nominees of the ministries of interior affairs and defense and the directorate of National Security, increasing public uprisings and concerns expressed by some institutions and individuals from the future of such uprisings and the insecurity on the Kabul-Bamiyan highways were some of the important events in this section in the past month.
Reconciliation with Government Opponents: The trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Pakistan and the US in Islamabad on reconciliation process, Saudi Arabia’s announcement to mediate in the peace talks, Ata Mohammad Noor calling the reconciliation process a failure, and Qasim Fahim’s statements regarding the weak position of the government in the peace talks, were some of the events reflected in the media in the past month.
Human Rights and Justice: Independent Human Rights Commission’s concerns over the raise of civilian casualties, protests in Bamiyan for investigation on Shakila’s murder case, public flogging of 16 year old girl, Sabira, in Ghazni for having illegal relation with a boy, by the local elders, and the concerns of Human Rights Watch over future of public uprisings, were major events of the human rights issues in the previous month.
Corruption: Azizullah Lodin, the director of High Office of Anti-Corruption and Enayatullah Nazari, the acting defense minister were referred to attorney general’s office in connection with allegation of corruption brought against them by Humayun Humayun, the chair of the defense commission of the lower house of the parliament. In response, Mr. Lodin has rejected the claims against him and called it a lie. He said the Mr. Humayun was previously accused of corruption, so he is trying in defense to remove claims against himself. Also, Mr. Lodin said that millions of AFs from Hairtain port revenue has gone missing. Najibullah Awjhan, the minister of public works has confessed of his ministries failure in maintenance of the roads and said that a lot of money has been wasted in this area.

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Receiving the Truth Newsletter is a shortcut access to the debates taking place in the Afghan print media, at the end of every month. The Truth Newsletter tries to analyze and categorize the most important events of the month as reflected in the Afghan print media.
It is worth mentioning that the Truth Newsletter is classifying its content into four sections: prospects for political transition, human rights and justice, reconciliation with the anti-government armed groups and the corruption.
In the current edition of the newsletter, in general the debate in the Afghan print media in the previous month was largely focused first on the political transitions and then on the reconciliation with the government opponents.
This edition of the newsletter contains 30 news bits in the areas of political transition, 13 news in the human rights, 23 in the areas of reconciliation with the armed government groups and last but not the least 17 news in the areas of corruption.
Prospects for Political Transition: The news titles in the section include dismissal of the Afghan ministers of defense and interior affairs by the Parliament due to their failure to respond to the cross-border attacks from Pakistan and the growing insecurity; deteriorating security on the Kabul-Bamiyan highway which sparked protest in Bamiyan; appointment of James Cunningham as the new US ambassador to Afghanistan to replace Mr. Ryan Crocker; and the popular uprising against the Taliban in the provinces.
Justice and Human Rights: Protests in reaction to the murder of Shakila, a sixteen year old girl in Bamiyan by Wahidi Bihishti, a provincial councilor; the UN’s concern over increasing civilian casualties in Afghanistan; the publication of the conflict report by the Independent Human Rights Commission on massacres of Prisoners of war and civilians in the 1990s in Kabul which include names of members of the National Coalition as perpetrators of these crimes and the reaction by the coalition, are some of the highlights of the news in this section
Corruption: In the previous month, Azizullah Lodin, director of High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption has accused Hazrat Omar Zakhilwal, the Minister of Finance of money laundering while the media has also reflected one million dollar added to the bank account of Mr. Zakhilwal. Mr. Lodin has asked president Karzai to suspend Zakhilwal in order for an impartial investigation to take place. However, Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, the Chair of Afghan Senate has expressed his support from the Minister of Finance and said that he will not let the High Office of Oversight and Anti-Corruption to express opinion about Zakhilwal’s case. Also on the corruption cases in Afghanistan, the US Congress has expressed concerns over conditions in the US funded Dawood Khan’s Hospital.
Reconciliation: Afghan delegation’s meeting with Mullah Abdul Ghani Brother in a Pakistani prison; removal of Agha Jan Mutasim’s name from the UN black list based on a request by Afghan government; Afghan Foreign Ministry’s announcement regarding talks with all government opposition groups, even the Haqani network; Karzai’s demanding of the Taliban to clarify if they are behind terrorist attacks so the Afghan government knows it’s real enemy. These were some of the important events in the areas of reconciliation in the past month reflected through Kabul newspapers.

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We are glad to present the 37th issue of Truth Newsletter which includes the most important events of the month in Kabul’s print media. The selections of the events have been classified and analyzed after a thorough study of the media publications in Kabul in order to provide readers with the most important events of Afghanistan reflected in the Afghan print media.
As previously, the selected topics and news in the Truth Newsletter are under the subheadings of prospects for political transition, reconciliation with armed anti-government opponents, human rights and corruption.
The number of topics selected for each part include: 22 topics in prospects for political transition, 24 topics in reconciliation with armed anti-government opponents, 14 topics in human rights and 21 topics in the areas of corruption.
In the current edition, the section having the highest number of selections is reconciliation with armed government opponents which is an indicator of increasing events in the reconciliation efforts, and the second section with the highest number of the topics is prospects for political transition which previously would have the highest number of topics in the Afghan media.

Political Transition: The opening of the Tokyo conference and the 16 billion dollar aid pledges by the international community in Afghanistan; Karzai’s remarks in the National Youths’ Peace Jirga; Karzai’s statement regarding Ahmad Khan Samangani’s assassination, a member of the Parliament; increasing locals’ uprising against the Taliban; Pakistan’s shelling of Afghan border areas, were the most important events of the previous month in the political areas reflected through most Afghan media outlets.

Negotiation with Armed Anti-Government Groups: The Kyoto meeting held with participation of representatives of Taliban, the government political opposition, the National Front and the National Coalition regarding talks on the reconciliation process; Karzai’s declaration of Taliban’s readiness for the peace talks and Taliban’s rejection of the claim; the importance of Pakistan’s role in the reconciliation with Taliban; releasing Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo, and Michael Semple’s statement quoting Maulawi, an important member of the Taliban, are highlights  of events in reconciliation with armed government opponents reflected through print media in Kabul.

Human Rights and Justice: In the previous month, the execution of a 22 year old woman in Parwan accused of adultery, have provoked serious reactions of civil society organizations, the Afghan government and the international community. Also Iranians in Yazd city of Iran have gone into torching Afghan refugees’ houses and harassing them under the pretext that an Afghan raped and killed an Iranian girl. The silence of Ulema Council over the crimes committed by the Taliban, and the concerns expressed by the Independent Human Rights Commission over increase in the number of violence against women, were the important incidents of the human rights in the past month published through a number of print media in Kabul.

Corruption: Opening of the Tokyo conference and pledges of 16 billion dollar of international community’s aid for Afghanistan and imposing conditionality of fighting corruption, Afghan government’s declaration of anti-corruption drive; collective resignation of seven officials of ISA in protest to the pervasive corruption in the agency; Karzai’s call for cooperation of the international community in fighting corruption and the emphasis by the international community over transparency in aid spending, and 100 acres land grabbed by the powerful in Herat, were issues reflected in the media in the previous month.

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We are glad to present the 36th issue of the Truth Newsletter, which contains the political and social events of the month.
The contents of this issue are divided into four sections: prospects of political transition, human rights, corruption and reconciliation with armed government opposition.
In this issue there is less discussion regarding  reconciliation with the armed government opposition and corruption issues, because most of the events of the month have occurred in the political arena.

Political Transition: In the politics section of the newsletter, the highlights include: accusations against Gen. Dostum for national treason due to his impeding the extraction of Amu Darya Oilfield, concerns over the 2014 election and preconditions put forward by the government opposition, meeting of the Heart of Asia conference, publication of “Non-Pashtun Tribes Ethnography” book by the Academy of Science which has affronted the Hazara ethnic group and the Hazaras’ reaction. This section includes a selection of 30 articles.

Human Rights and Justice: The concerns of international organizations regarding human rights, increased civilian casualties in Afghanistan and the rise in violence against the women and children were the important news items in the past month. The Ministry of Counter Narcotics has announced that 8 percent of Afghan children are addicted to drugs and the Independent Human Rights Commission expressed its concerns over increase in the number of runaway women. According to reports in the previous month, ISAF ordered restrictions of its airstrikes due to civilian casualties. Also the Ministry of Justice was faced with major criticisms from civil society organizations after it stated that women shelters were a center of prostitution.

Corruption: Azizullah Lodin, the director of High Office of Anti-Corruption, again accused Ismail Khan of embezzlement and corruption and criticized the Attorney General’s Office for lack of cooperation. President Karzai, during the Heart of Asia conference, talked about his serious intention to eliminate corruption and nepotism. The European countries have expressed their concerns regarding widespread corruption in the government and warned the Afghan government to uproot corruption or else the countries will cut off their aid to Afghanistan.  This section includes a selection of 15 articles regarding corruption.

Negotiation with Armed Anti-Government Groups: In the section about reconciliation with the insurgents, the second meeting of the organization of Islamic countries was an important issue of the previous month. Also according to newspapers, the people in Ghazni rose against the Taliban and drove out the insurgents from five districts and reopened schools and health clinics. Also, an official from the ISAF claimed that the Taliban want peace. During the Heart of Asia conference, President Karzai called the role of Pakistan in talks with the Taliban as important. The Saudi embassy in Kabul said that Saudi Arabia has key role in the peace negotiation with the Taliban. Media reports indicate that hundreds of Taliban have joined the peace process. Also the opposition parties, the armed government opposition, as well as civil society organizations held a meeting in Paris regarding reconciliation with the insurgents.
This section includes a selection of 15 articles of the media outlets about reconciliation in the previous month.

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Fortunately after a few months of interlude, the Truth newsletter has again begun its publication. The newsletter has been changed somewhat in terms of its contents. The topics for this period are: the prospects for political transition, administrative corruption, human rights and transitional justice, and reconciliation with the armed government opponents.
In the current issue of the Truth newsletter, every section has been separately classified and analyzed. Previously the Truth newsletter was published in only electronic format but the current issue will be provided both in soft and hard copies. The 35th issue of the Truth newsletter includes selections of 23 political topics, 17 topics related to administrative corruption, 6 topics of human rights and transitional justice, and 18 topics regarding reconciliation with the armed government opponents.
The prospects for political transition: The following are highlights of the topics in the political arena which most of the media outlets have reflected them during the last month. The topics include attempts by Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, especially Iran and Pakistan, to block the approval of the US-Afghan strategic cooperation agreement in the Afghan Parliament and the subsequent approval of the strategic cooperation agreement by the Parliament resulting in the failure of Pakistan and Iran to prevent it from happening. The drawdown of the NATO forces from Afghanistan and people’s concern regarding the issue. The expression of pessimism and optimism by the government institutions regarding signing of the US-Afghan strategic agreement as well as the talks about the consequences and the deficiencies of the agreement. Expression of concerns by the government opposition regarding the next Afghan election. European Union’s warning of weak governance in Afghanistan and the commencement of the Chicago conference.
Peace negotiation and settlement with the insurgents: During the previous month a number of Taliban leaders that wanted to initiate peace talks with the government have been killed by the Pakistani government. Political experts believe that Pakistan is hampering the peace by resorting to such actions.
As US-Afghan strategic agreement was concluded, the talks between the government and its opponents went into stalemate and the Hizb-e-Islami led by Gulbuddin Hikmatyar withdrew from the peace talks.
The release of a number of important leaders of the Taliban from Bagram Prison by the Americans with no coordination with the Afghan government was also an event that influenced the reconciliation with the insurgents and the peace talks.
Human rights and justice: Dr. Abdullah Abdullah’s criticism regarding the lack of attention by the government in the celebration of the 8th Sawr, the Mujahedeen’s victory day, criticizing the government as giving little importance to the achievements of the Mujahedeen. The mujahedeen’s supporters’ criticisms of the Minister of Education in reaction to the exclusion of the history and glories of Jihad years from the school text books and the responses by the Minister of Education regarding the issue, are among many discussions included in this issue of the Truth newsletter.
Also human rights violation by the Police forces and the labeling of the Independent Human Rights Commission as a political entity by some political experts are among the major topics in this issue.
corruption: In the areas of administrative corruption most of the media outlets have raised the issue of confrontation between the government institutions over administrative corruption. Azizullah Lodin, director of High Office of Anti-corruption, accused Ismail Khan of land grabbing and embezzlement of millions of dollars. Following the accusation the news triggered about the possible escape of Lodin to the US and Germany which several media outlets called the escape as Lodin’s fears of retribution from Ismail Khan. The widespread corruption in the Balkh custom office and in the Ministry of Interior Affairs as well as the people’s protest against the corruption in the local government institutions in some parts of the country were the important events related to administrative corruption in the past month.

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