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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Deadliest place for journalists

Forty-two journalists were killed around the world this year and Pakistan was the deadliest country of all, a study by the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday. Pakistan led the list of fatalities with eight, followed by Iraq with four and three each in Honduras and Mexico, the New York-based CPJ said. The total number of reporters killed in connection with their profession was much lower than in 2009, when the record figure of 72 worldwide was skewed by a one-off massacre in the Philippines. In addition to the 42 known to have been killed this year, another 28 journalists died in still unclear circumstances, the CPJ said. "The killing of 42 journalists in 2010, while a decline over previous years, is still unacceptably high and reflective of the pervasive violence journalists confront around the world," said CPJ executive director Joel Simon. "From Afghanistan to Mexico, Thailand to Russia, the failure of governments to investigate crimes against the press contributes to a climate of impunity that ultimately fuels further violence." Most of the 42 deaths were murders, while 40 percent took place in combat and other dangerous circumstances. "Suicide bombings and crossfire in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Thailand, and Somalia accounted for the unusually high proportion," the CPJ said. Nearly all the victims were local reporters. Six of them were Internet-based journalists. "CPJ research shows that about 90 percent of journalist murders go unsolved despite the fact that many victims -- 60 percent in 2010 -- reported receiving threats in the weeks before they were killed," the rights group said in a statement.

General Petraeus the unwillingness of Pakistan

Two classified US intelligence reports have said that the American strategy in Afghanistan has a limited chance of success, unless Pakistan hunts down insurgents operating from havens on its Afghan border. According to the New York Times, the reports, one on Afghanistan and one on Pakistan, say that although there have been gains for the US and NATO in the war, the unwillingness of Pakistan to shut down militant sanctuaries in its lawless tribal region remains a serious obstacle. It said that insurgents freely cross from Pakistan into Afghanistan to plant bombs and fight American troops and then return to Pakistan for rest and resupply. The findings in the reports, called National Intelligence Estimates, represent the consensus view of the United States' 16 intelligence agencies, and were provided last week to some members of the Senate and House Intelligence Committees. Meanwhile, American military commanders and senior Pentagon officials have criticized the reports saying that they were 'out of date'. The officials also claimed that the reports were written by desk-bound Washington analysts who had spent limited time, if any, in Afghanistan. "They are not on the ground living it day in and day out like our forces are, so they don't have the proximity and perspective," a senior defense official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said. Earlier, last week, US commander in-charge of NATO operations in Afghanistan, General David H. Petraeus, had praised Pakistan and its Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani for acknowledging the problem. "General Kayani and others have been clear in recognizing that they need to do more for their security and indeed to carry out operations against those who threaten other countries' security," General Petraeus had said.

Iranian Suicide Attack killed at least 41

Iranian media report suicide bombers have killed at least 41 people in Chahbahar, a mainly Sunni city in troubled Sistan-Baluchistan province.  More than 50 other people were wounded in the attack, which occurred at a mosque where people were marking the eve of the key Shi'ite holy day. Reports say the militant group Jundullah has taken responsibility for the carnage.  Worshippers had been gathering at the mosque in Chahbahar on the eve of Ashura, which marks the death of Shi'ite martyr Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.  One of those taking part in the ceremony, identified only as Rahimi, condemned the violence. Rahami says the goal of the attack is to divide Muslims and incite differences among them. Shi'ites celebrating the holy day have been frequent targets during Ashura, especially those making pilgrimage to Iraq, where Hussein died. Authorities say they have arrested someone they describe as a ringleader of the attack.  Jundullah has carried out high-profile attacks in the past, including violence at mosques and gatherings of Iran's Republican Guard.  The government had hoped the group was weakened after it executed its leader, Abdolmalek Rigi, in June. Iran had in the past accused the United States of aiding Jundullah, but Washington recently also designated it a terrorist organization.