Eid Message from Mullah Omar

Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid

September 19, 2009

Message of Felicitation of Amir-ul-Momineen on the Occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr

Praise be to Allah, Who exalted Islam and Muslims and debased polytheism and the polytheists. Peace be on the leader of the Mujahideen, the noble of the Apostles and Messengers and peace be on his descendants, companions and all those who follow his guidance.

Having said that, I would like to state: The Almighty Allah says: "Say: Truly my prayer and my service of sacrifice,

My life and my death are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds." 6:162.

I extend my heart-felt felicitation to all heroic Mujahideen, the pious people, the families of martyrs of the sacred frontlines of Islam and to all Islamic Ummah on the occasion of the Eid-ul-fitre and congratulate them for their having performed the sacred obligation of fasting. I pray to Allah, to accept in His sight all the worships and sacrifices that they offered. May Allah pass these days of love, brotherhood and joy in an atmosphere of happiness, prosperity and victory over the invading enemy. I congratulate you all for the historical victories achieved in the honorable frontlines of Jihad this current year. May Allah accept the martyrdom of the martyrs and the struggles of the Mujahideen in this blessed and holy path.

Availing of this opportunity, I deem it necessary to put forward the following points before you all:

a) I assure our brave people and the gallant Mujahideen that the plans of global colonialism for occupation of Afghanistan has faced failure because of your self-less sacrifices. During the past eight years, NATO under the leadership of the militarists of Pentagon, implemented a policy of brutality and atrocity, hoping that they will subjugate the brave people of Afghanistan by dent of military power. They used their sophisticated and cutting-edge technology including chemical weapons in order to achieve that end; employed hundreds of centers of propaganda and spent billions of dollars to portray image of their military power in a palatable way and terrorize their counterpart opposition. But all these anti-human activities could not give them success. With the passage of time, the resistance and the Jihadic movement, as a robust Islamic and nationalist movement, assumed the shape of a popular movement and is approaching the edge of victory.

The invaders should study the history of Afghanistan from the time of the aggression of the Alexander, to the Ganges of the yore and to this very day and should receive lesson from it. Still, if they are bent on ignoring the history, then they themselves saw with their own eyes, the events of the past eight years. Have they achieved any thing in the past eight years? Even if they are not ready to review the loss and benefits of these years, at least, they should ponder over the consequences of the extensive operations launched under the name of Khanjar "sword" and the panther’s claw. What did they achieve? Is this disgrace and historical defeat not enough for them (to take lesson)?

Though the double-faced media has kept their public ignorant of the facts but their government are well aware of the ground realities—the huge casualties and the sagging morale of their soldiers. The more the enemy resorts to increasing forces, the more they will face an unequivocal defeat in Afghanistan.

It is clear from the statements of the military sources of NATO and America and the information disclosed by captured soldiers that material and life losses of the invaders are several times higher than what they acknowledge. Any way, the policy which they have adopted will only prolong the current crisis but will never solve it. This is because the existence of foreign troops in Afghanistan and the invasion is in itself an issue, not a solution—even a big issue in its own right.

The rampant corruption in the surrogate Kabul administration, the embezzlement, drug trafficking, the existence of mafia networks, the tyranny and high-handed ness of the warlords, and spread and increase of the centers of obscenity being materialized as per the previously contemplated plans, are part of the colonial ambitious and conspiratorial accords. This has driven the people to face poverty, starvation and unemployment to the extent that they were forced to sell their children.

Despite the crimes of the invaders, another brazen atrocity is that, that they imposed a corrupt and stooge administration on the people once again by the pretext of the so-called elections which were fraught with fraud and lies and which were categorically rejected by the people. It is very natural that the gallant and free people are not ready to accept the results of these illegitimate elections. Therefore, first of all the issue of the existence of the invading forces in the country should be solved and Afghanistan must find its place as a sovereign country on the map of the world. The internal issues among the Afghans can be solved but in circumstances of occupation, ( our ) national and Islamic interests come under the shadow of the interests of the foreigners and our national and Islamic interests readily fall prey to the interests and conspiracies of global colonialism.

Our goal is to gain independence of the country and establish a just Islamic system there on the basis of the aspirations of the Muslim nation. We can consider any option that could lead to the achievement of this goal. We have left open all options and ways towards this end. However, this will only be feasible when the country is free from the trampling steps of the invading forces and has gained independence.

b) The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants that the true sons of this land should have participation in the government and in the government-making, following the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan-- because the rehabilitation work, economic, political , educational and cultural affairs of the country can never go along way without participation of knowledgeable , professional and experienced sincere Afghans. Fortunately, a great number of our independent, professional, experienced Muslims cadres, whether they are inside the country or outside, have not submitted to the current occupation, nor they accept the administration brought about as a result of the occupation. They support an independent, free and Islamic government in the country.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has distinctive and useful plans for the future of Afghanistan under the shade of the just social system of Islam after the withdrawal of the foreign forces. They include rehabilitation of social and economic infrastructure, advancement and development of the educational sector, industrializations of the country and development of agriculture.

c)The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on all those who work in the surrogate Kabul administration and shore up the global colonialism by their being there to stop opposing your religion, country and people. The foreign colonialists take strength from your Afghan arm and continue their occupation of our country. These brutal invaders have trampled down on all our Islamic values; they work for dissemination and spread of Christianity under a previously worked-out plan; they plunder our natural resources under one and another name and put heavy burdens of loans on our country. The Islamic Emirate has left door of safety open for whomever depart with the ways of betrayal and treason with the country and people.

All should bear in mind that the current popular Islamic revolution against the invaders is forging ahead like a powerful flood. Any one who opts to resist it will himself be washed away. Atrocity, torture, brutality, conspiracies, coalitions, the foreign forces and mercenaries could not hurl stumbling blocks in the way of this robust Jihadic movement. It is better to side with your people to fulfill the obligation required by the belief and gain historical honor, particularly the former Mujahideen who now work in the stooge administration should make for their infamy by joining the ranks of Jihad and abandon the ranks of the non-believers.

D ) The Islamic Emirate (IE) believes in social and internal reform as well as in positive initiatives in the context of Sharia. IE is aware of the in discrepancies. Therefore, it obliges all Mujahideen to strictly observe the rules and regulations so that all Mujahideen will continue to wage Jihad as sincere sons of the country for the prosperity of the masses under the framework of Islamic Sharia. Thus, they will become both true protectors of the frontlines of independence and representatives of the fundamental wants of the people.

The Islamic Emirate considers the purge of its ranks and self-accountability an everlasting and necessary obligation.

The enemy has faced defeat in the field of the battle and it is not far way that it will swallow the bitter poison of a complete defeat. But as a last tactic, it is trying to spread seed of disunity and division among the nation to turn its defeat into victory. Praise be to Allah, the High, that the enemy is facing a fiasco in its hypocritical efforts. The Islam-loving and country-loving people consider it a religious obligation to keep the unity and assist the Mujahideen. They see independence of the dear country as their legitimate right and believe the western media serves only as a loudspeaker of Pentagon. They will never be misled by their fatuous propaganda. The sympathy, affinity and enchantment of the people play a great role in the unprecedented advancement of the Mujahideen. Praise be to Allah, the enchantment of people and their affinity grows day by day. Therefore, the Mujahideen should not think themselves to be a separate entity from the people. They should protect their property, life and honor and stop those who, under the name of Mujahideen, want to encroach on the property, life and honor of the people--readily by the provocation of the enemy. Similarly, Mujahideen should focus on the Islamic education of the masses, so that they would voluntarily participate in Jihad in person and by wealth. The people should remain aware to avoid being tricked by the empty bluffs of some military commanders or the statement of a British military commander saying that we would remain in Afghanistan for forty years.

We would like to point out that we fought against the British invaders for eighty years from 1839 to 1919 and ultimately got independence by defeating the Britain. Today we have strong determination, military training and effective weapons. Still more, we have preparedness for a long war and the regional situation is in our favor. Therefore, we will continue to wage Jihad until we gain independence and force the invaders to pull out.

When we notified all regarding the unprecedented momentum and impetus in the resistance in our previous statement, they were not just propaganda-oriented empty words. All witnessed the momentum in action. We warn once again that our ensuing aggressive operations will be characterized by effective tactics which will enter a phase where the enemy will have unparalleled casualties and constant defeats, if God willing.

e)The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to maintain good and positive relations with all neighbors based on mutual respect and open a new chapter of good neighborliness of mutual cooperation and economic development.

We consider the whole region as a common home against colonialism and want to play our role in peace and stability of the region. We assure all countries that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as a responsible force, will not extend its hand to cause jeopardy to others as it itself does not allow others to jeopardize us.

We would like to say, we are victims of the black propaganda of the enemy media. This has created doubts between us and a number of countries of the world. They have wrongly depicted us as a force being against education and women’s rights. They also accuse us of our being a threat to the countries of the world. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to clear away all these doubts provided a conducive atmosphere is available. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on the public of the West not to be deceived by the assertions of Obama, who says the war in Afghanistan, is a war of necessity. The West does not have to wage this war. This war, in fact, started for clandestine motives under baseless reasons. The humanity, as a whole, suffers from its negative consequences. The global economic meltdown, instability, lack of trust and violation of international norms is the outcome of the baseless policies (of this war).

The public of the West should also not be deceived by the assertions of the General Secretary of NATO and British Prime Minister who claim the war in Afghanistan is for the defense of the West. Such deceiving and baseless utterances must not confuse you. These are just demagogic efforts of your rulers aimed at justifying this unlawful and long imposed war in contravention of all international principles.

No country in the world has right to meddle in the internal affairs of its neighboring country according to the modern international principles. The arrogant powers-that-be at the White House and its British Ally should know their interference from thousands of kilometers away is never acceptable to the countries of the region and can never be tolerated. The plans of colonial expansionism which is under way in the region under the notorious and unlawful slogan of war on terrorism is, in fact, an endeavor against the universal human values, justice, peace, equal distribution of resources and independence-- an endeavor tainting the true representatives of the aspirations of the people under one or another name. All countries, particularly the Islamic countries, our neighbors, the powerful countries, the movement of the non-aligned countries should feel and fulfill their historical role.

I urge the Islamic Ummah, particularly the Islamic and Jihadic organizations to remain aware of the conspiracies of the enemy; abandon the internal differences and begin a concerted and comprehensive struggle for the defense and freedom of the oppressed and occupied Ummah.

To end, I urge all God-fearing Muslims, as they themselves share the joy and happiness of this occasion with their families, should not forget the widows of the martyrs, orphans and mothers who have lost their sons. They are the martyrs who laid down their lives against the bloc of the infidels for the establishment of Islamic system. Similarly, do not forget the bereaved families of those Afghan victims including old men, young, women, children who have been martyred as a result of the blind bombardment of the invaders and are no more among you.

Finally, I extend my felicitation to you on the occasion of Eid-ul-fitre and wishing you independence.

--Hoping and praying for obtainment of independence and establishment of a complete Islamic system.

Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid

Amir-ul-Momineen

The Servant of Islam

Countdown to destruction at French migrant camp

By ELAINE GANLEY, Associated Press Writer

CALAIS, France – Hijrat Hotak's parents sold the family home in Afghanistan, paying a smuggler $15,000 (euro10,200.61) to help buy a bright future in Britain for their 15-year-old son.

Instead, after a long, perilous journey, he lives in "The Jungle," a squalid encampment in Calais where Hotak and hundreds of other hungry migrants nourish dreams of sneaking across the English Channel.

And even that will not last.

Hotak's humble shelter here will be gone within days, when the camp will be razed by French authorities who see it as a public-health nightmare, a haven for human traffickers and a point of contention with the British, who want the border to their country better sealed.

But critics say the effort to stop it through destruction is futile. They point to the dismantling in 2002 of a Red Cross-run camp in nearby Sangatte, which had been used by illegal migrants as a springboard for sneaking across the Channel in freight trains and trucks. The migrants kept coming back even after the camp was shut down.

Britain is viewed as an easier place than France to make a life, even clandestinely, a view perpetuated by traffickers and family members or friends already there. Calais became a magnet for migrants a decade ago when refugees from the war in Kosovo flocked here; today, it is a magnet for Afghans. That Afghan migrants sometimes speak at least broken English makes Britain all the more attractive.

French Immigration Minister Eric Besson announced plans earlier this year to dismantle the camp. Last Wednesday, he said it would be razed by the end of the following week.

"This is a lawless zone and a logistical base for smugglers," Besson said on French TV. "We say that no one will be getting across the Channel from Calais."

Some migrants refuse to believe their risky, and costly, journeys to France were for naught. They hope that Britain or France will have a change of heart and take them in, or that the destruction will simply be called off.

"We are afraid, we are scared. But this is better than other places," said another Afghan, Mohammad Bashir, 24, who claimed he had been held last year by the Taliban but escaped.

Scores of makeshift tents built from sticks and sheets of plastic sprout from the sand and brush in the camp. Piles of garbage litter the scrubland.

The illegal migrants, mainly Afghan men and boys and some as young as 14, bake flat bread over a fire in a tin drum. The only amenities are a spigot of water at the entrance, a homemade toilet hidden behind plastic and, in a scrupulously cleared area, a mosque made of blue tarp and ringed with pots of flowers.

Smaller camps scattered about the region shelter Iraqi Kurds or illegal migrants from other trouble spots.

France's immigration minister has promised to offer options to migrants. If they leave voluntarily, they can get a stipend. If they meet the profile, they can demand asylum in France. Otherwise, they are to be expelled.

The migrants try to elude the elaborate border security network, complete with heat sensors and infrared cameras, at the port and the Channel tunnel that carries the Eurostar trains and other undersea traffic. Nearly a decade ago, many thousands made it across by hopping a ride to Britain. Today only a few make it, but enough to sustain hope.

French authorities have not said when they will move in, but a half-dozen border police exiting the camp Saturday said they had been counting heads.

Some 800 migrants were in the main camp as of June, officials say. However, the number has since dwindled to about 300, leading to speculation that border police have been turning a blind eye to illegal crossings to make it easier to clear out the jungle.

"Even if the jungle is shut down tomorrow, migrants will continue to arrive," said Jacky Verhaegen of aid group Secours Catholique. "Migrants are already en route, in Greece, in Italy, in Turkey. I don't think they'll stop in their tracks. Their goal is Britain."

Philippe Blet, president of the Calais region, said, "We are in a surrealistic and incomprehensible situation."

He criticized a 2004 accord signed by President Nicolas Sarkozy, then interior minister, which authorized deployment of British immigration officers in Calais and Dunkirk.

"Today, the British border is effectively in Calais," Blet said.

In the encampment, tales abound of journeys by foot, in trucks and boats to reach Calais and of efforts to slip inside or under trucks crossing the Channel only to be tripped up by high-tech equipment or sniffed out by a dog.

But hope remains despite the announced crackdown.

"My family said you go to England and make your future by hard studying," said Hotak, who comes from Laghman province, where Taliban and U.S. forces have clashed. "My family is old. They said our life is finished ... You make our future."

Though the adolescent showed visitors his shelter, he refused to be photographed because "if my mother sees this is my home, she will cry."

For Blet, such reactions are normal. Young migrants often set off for the West with the family's blessing and "it's an honor," he said. "He will save the family. He has a mandate."

But in Calais, "They are all 40 kilometers (24.86 miles) from happiness. That's the real drama."

Eid shopping spree in Kashmir

Srinagar, Sept 20 : Residents of Kashmir went on a shopping spree for Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest Muslim festival marking the end of Ramadan.

People are thronging to markets to buy bakery, mutton, poultry, sweetmeat and gift items.

Shop owners in the city's Civil Lines area have also expressed their delight at increase in customers visiting their stores.

"Sales have increased a lot than the normal days. There is a rise of around 50-70 per cent. People who buy one kilo of sweets are buying two kilos now. People are buying more quantities in confectionery shops. Even in garment shops, a lot of shopping is done for children," said Manzoor Ahmed, a confectionery shop owner.

Shopping centres are filled with shoppers buying new items for themselves and their family members.

"I feel very good because I see faces of people lit with happiness. People are going out a lot to shop," said Mahmood Ayub, a resident.

During Ramadan, Muslims try to abstain from carnal pleasures and addictions.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Hijri lunar calendar, commemorates the revelation of Quran. During this time, Muslims pray six times a day, one more prayer than usual.

After a month long of fasting, Muslims will celebrate the Eid on September 21 or 22, depending on the position of the moon.

8 in 10 Iranians: Ahmadinejad is legitimate president

Poll shows that nine in ten Iranians are satisfied with Islamic Republic's system of government.


WASHINGTON - Eight in 10 Iranians also say they consider President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to be the country's legitimate president despite mass protests following the disputed June 12 vote, according to a survey by WorldPublicOpinion.org (WPO).

Eight in 10 also say Ahmadinejad is honest.

Asked about the institutions that make up the government of Iran, large majorities express at least some confidence in major institutions. The president is viewed most favorably, with 84 percent of respondents expressing a lot (64%) of or some (20%) confidence.

Overall most Iranians express support for their current system of government. Nine in ten say they are satisfied with Iran's system of government.

Six in ten approve of the system by which a body of religious scholars has the capacity to overturn laws, while one in four express opposition.

A modest majority (55%) says that the way the Supreme Leader is selected is consistent with the principles of democracy, and three-fifths say they are comfortable with the extent of his power.

Eighty-three percent of respondents said they were confident in the election results that gave Ahmadinejad a second term.

For relations with US, but distrust Washington

Most Iranians favor restored ties with America after three decades of hostility but distrust President Barack Obama despite his outreach to Muslims worldwide, the poll found Saturday.

Sixty-three percent of the 1,003 people surveyed across Iran favored restoring diplomatic relations with the United States, a position in line with the stance taken by Tehran since the 1979 Revolution, which called for a relation of mutual respect, not one-sided hegemony.

Of those in favor of restoring ties, 18 percent said they would "strongly" back the move. Only 27 percent said they were opposed.

Another 60 percent of Iranians surveyed said they supported "full, unconditional negotiations" between Washington and Tehran, while 30 percent were opposed.

But despite Obama's outreach to Muslims around the world, only 25 percent of those surveyed believe he respects Islam, while 59 percent said he does not.

Seventy-one percent said they have little or no confidence that Obama will do "the right thing" in his handling of world affairs.

That figure was lower than any of the 20 countries polled by WPO, a project managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes at the University of Maryland, in the spring.

Attitudes toward Obama still remained more positive than toward his predecessor, George W. Bush, in whom only six percent of Iranians expressed confidence, compared to 16 percent for the new president.

"While the majority of Iranian people are ready to do business with Obama, they show little trust in him," WPO director Steven Kull said in a statement.

Among those surveyed, 77 percent of Iranians said they had an unfavorable view of the US government, including 69 percent who said they have a very unfavorable view.

But in a sign of possible softening, the figures were lower than in a 2008 poll, where a whopping 85 percent of Iranians said they had an unfavorable view of the US government.

A mere 17 percent had a favorable stance in 2009, but that was still more than twice the eight percent who said they had favorable views last year.

The telephone survey was conducted by native Farsi speakers who interviewed respondents from outside Iran between August 27 and September 10. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

Gazans miss joy of Eid under shadow of blockade, war

Mohamed al-Hweiti, a clothing store owner in downtown Gaza, looked so exhausted as he was busy serving dozens of customers, who came to buy new garments for their children to wear during the Eid ul-Fitter holiday, the Muslim's feast at the end of Ramadan.

Al-Hweiti, whose store was full of clothes, most of which were made in Egypt and smuggled to Gaza, said most of the goods, products and Eid accessories can be easily found in the Gaza Strip markets, "but they are very expensive because they are smuggled through tunnels and are not legally imported."

"The current economical situation, thanks to the Israeli blockade and the 22-day December-January Israeli war on Gaza which destroyed everything, had made life so difficult here not only for vendors but also for consumers," he added.

Israel imposed a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip and sealed off all the commercial crossings on its borders with the impoverished enclave, right after Islamic Hamas militants seized control of the Gaza Strip in June 2007.

Then the Gazans defied the Israeli siege and dug thousands of tunnels under the borders with Egypt.

"Before the siege, we used to legally import the clothes through the commercial crossings, and the prices were reasonable and the quality was very good, but now the cost of the smuggled goods which we are now selling in our stores is so high, therefore, the prices for our customers are higher," said al-Hweiti.

Since the beginning of the tight Israeli blockade, Israel only allowed through the commercial crossings 23 kinds of food products and prohibited raw-materials for industry and construction, as well as clothes and shoes.

In spite of more than two years of siege in the Hamas-ruled area, Gaza city markets and streets were overcrowded with traffics and customers. People said although the economic situation is poor, they are still trying their best to bring joy for their children by buying them new clothes.

"What we really miss during this Eid holiday is joy. We have been living under very difficult circumstances over the past two years. I can hardly afford to buy expensive clothes for my two daughters and one son to make them happy," said Ahmed Abu Aasi, a 45-year-old teacher in Gaza.

As he walked with his three children to Gaza downtown market to buy clothes and shoes for them to wear during the Eid holiday, he said "if current situation in Gaza continues, I'm not certain that I will be able to buy them new clothes for the next Eid."

Mohsen Bolbol, another Gaza store owner, admitted that the garments he purchased from smugglers in his store "are too expensive, either for children or for adults," adding "the vendors are not responsible for the crazy high prices of goods, the reason is that the cost of the goods is very expensive."

Different kinds of goods and products, prohibited by Israel into Gaza through the commercial crossings, have been smuggled through the underground tunnels under the borders between Gaza Strip and Egypt. Many vendors said smuggling is illegal, but without those tunnels, people would have died."

Many Gazans are looking forward the improvement of political situation, which will bring economy flourish in the poor enclave, though the chance is slim in the near future.

"I could just afford the clothes for my children, but I am not able to buy candies and cookies for my relatives who usually visit me during the Eid holiday," said Mohamed Jabber, a 54-year-old unemployed Gaza resident.

"I depend my living on the monthly financial aid from different charities," he said.

Some International humanitarian organizations are trying to help the poor Gazans. International official figures indicate poverty population in Gaza has climbed to 70 percent.

"We are not beggars, all the aid we receive every month are temporary. I miss the days when I worked and earned regular monthly income. The aid cannot help us bring the smile back to the faces of our children," said Jabber.

Besides the siege, the impact of the destructive major Israeli war on Gaza has compelled people to spend a sad Eid holiday, since many lost their beloved relatives and friends during the war which ended on Jan. 18.

According to the official figures, about 1,450 Palestinians, most of whom were women and children, were killed during the Israeli offensive.

Majed al-Samouni, whose family lost 27 members during the war, said this is the first Eid ul-Fitter holiday without them being with us.

"This Eid can only bring painful and sad memories to me and to the rest of my family," he said.

Japan may provide more aid to Afghanistan

By JAY ALABASTER, Associated Press Writer

TOKYO – Tokyo is considering sending more financial aid to Afghanistan after its current naval refueling mission supporting the U.S.-led coalition ends next January, but has no intention of sending ground troops to the region, Japan's new foreign minister said Sunday.

Japan has long been one of Washington's closest allies, but a new government that took power last week has said it wants to reframe its relations with the U.S. and will not extend the refueling operations in the Indian Ocean in support of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.

The U.S. is boosting troop levels in Afghanistan even as international support for the coalition wanes, and is loathe to lose the backing of an ally.

Japan's pacifist constitution prohibits offensive military operations, and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada said it is too dangerous to send aid workers to the area.

"In the current situation we can't guarantee the safety of our civilians, so it may be the case that we provide funding instead," Okada said in an interview on TV Asahi.

He repeated Japan's stance that there would be no "simple extension" of the refueling mission, and said it was unlikely that Japan would send troops, even for a noncombat role as it did in Iraq.

Okada made the comments a day before he is to travel to the United States to meet Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for the first time on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly session.

Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also will go to the U.S. for the U.N. meeting and the Group of 20 summit in Pittsburgh, and is to meet President Barack Obama.

The new government in Tokyo swept to power in national elections last month, and in the campaign was critical of what it saw as Japan's unwavering military and diplomatic support for the U.S. in the past.

The Liberal Democratic Party, which it forced from power, ruled Japan for half a century with almost no interruption, during which it maintained close ties with Washington.

Kyodo News agency has reported that Japan is planning a conference in Tokyo in November on achieving peace in Afghanistan to which high-level representatives from the U.S. and Europe will be invited.

Tokyo is currently providing hundreds of millions of dollars in financial aid to Afghanistan for areas such as managing elections, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Iran's Khamenei signals easing in election tension

By NASSER KARIMI, Associated Press Writer



TEHRAN, Iran – Iran's Supreme Leader warned government supporters against accusing opposition members of wrongdoing without proof, an indication that the Islamic government may be easing up on critics of the June presidential election.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has final say on all state matters in Iran, said while a suspect's own confession was admissible, his testimony or accusations could not be used against others not on trial for the unrest following President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.

"We do not have the right to accuse without any proof," Khamenei said in a speech marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in which he urged the judiciary and security forces to pursue offenders within the bounds of the law. The speech was carried live on Iran's state radio and television.

"What a suspect says in court against a third party has no legitimate validity," Khamenei said.

Khamenei did not single out any individuals, but his remarks appeared to refer to testimony by some detainees who claim that former President Hashemi Rafsanjani and other reformists supported opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in the June 12 vote to weaken Khamenei.

He stressed that accusing others in the media without any proof would create a climate of suspicion.

Reformists claim that widespread fraud handed incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad a win over Mousavi.

Tens of thousands took to the streets in protests after the results, sparking a harsh government crackdown in which hundreds were arrested or detained and dozens subsequently being brought to court in mass trials. Some opposition members say 72 died in the post-vote police crackdown, roughly double the government's official casualty figures.

Since July, the street protests have largely died down, giving way instead to rifts between the country's influential clerics, with hardliners accusing Mousavi's reformist and moderate supporters of looking to destabilize the government and calling, in some cases, for their arrest.

Since the election, Khamenei has at times signaled that the government may ease up on the critics. His speech on the start of the Eid al-Fitr religious holiday appeared to be another push to tamp down tensions that have presented the country with its biggest internal political challenge since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that toppled the Shah of Iran.

Rafsanjani — who has been absent from several recent official ceremonies, including a Friday prayer led by the supreme leader earlier in September — was seen sitting in the first row of worshippers during the prayer ceremony at which Khamenei spoke.

Khamenei's latest comments could signal a change in the direction of the ongoing court cases against protesters.

Over the past months, state-owned television,news agencies and newspapers reported on five court sessions in which some detainees blamed opposition figures and their supporters of fomenting the postelection unrest. Among those blamed was Rafsanjani's son.

In one court hearing in August, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a detainee who was a former vice president in the late 1990s and early 2000s, was quoted as saying that Rafsanjani backed Mousavi "to take revenge" on Ahmadinejad and Khamenei.

Ahmadinejad defeated Rafsanjani in the 2005 election, and has the solid backing of Khamenei.

Khamenei praised Iranians for their participation in nationwide anti-Israeli rally on Friday, but steered clear of any mention of a counter-protest held by the opposition the same day. It was the opposition's first such anti-government demonstration in two months.

Tehran Police chief, Gen. Azizollah Rajabzadeh told the semiofficial ISNA news agency on Sunday that authorities detained some 35 protesters after they set several motorbikes and public trash bins on fire during the Friday event.

Khamenei also reiterated Iran's traditional hostile stance against Israel, calling it a "deadly cancer" which works for the invading hands of the world's "arrogant powers."