What’s on in Kabul

What’s On In Kabul 7/2006 . 1

WWhhaatt’’ss OOnn IInn KKaabbuull

Issue 36/2006 06 January 2007

NEWS SECTION WAIS FAIZI OF THE MUSTAFA HOTEL, KABUL Friends, It is with great regret to have to post here announcing the death of Wais Faizi, manager of the Mustafa Hotel in Kabul. Many travellers who have passed through Kabul since the fall of the Taliban have stayed at the Mustafa, and enjoyed Wais's unique brand of hospitality. An Afghan of the highest standard, and with a thick New Jersey accent to boot, Wais was immortalized in Christina Lamb's 'The Sewing Circles of Herat', where he became dubbed 'the Fonz of Kabul'. Wais ran an open house for travellers and journalists, and was an incredible fixer. If you needed it, he could get it. The Mustafa's bar was sometimes a little crazy, but Wais welcomed everyone regardless, insisting that the Mustafa meant always having people to stay in his front room. Details of Wais's are sketchy right now, but first reports are that it was not by violence. He was 36 years old. He was buried at the foot of TV Tower Hill. Rest in peace, friend - we'll see you on the other side of the Frontier.

AFGHANISTAN TO HAVE ITS OWN ZIP SOON Afghanistan will get the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code in one month time to be used internationally, to have this communication identity for the first time for the backward country, officials said on Wednesday. Muhammad Yasin, head of the post department of the communication ministry, told Pajhwok Afghan News: "We contacted the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and sent it the required numbers and alphabets to develop a zip code for Afghanistan." When technical work is finished, UPU will introduce Afghanistan's zip code software to other countries of the world as to internationalize it, said Yasin.

A zip code made from alphabets and digits is used as identical means for addresses of locations in world postal system. Yasin said they have already selected 13 alphabets and digits for the country, beginning with AF, but the number could go up with increase in the quantity of populations and cities in Afghanistan. During the past five years, the communication ministry has managed to rebuild the domestic postal system in addition to preparing the international zip code. Afghans have been using zip codes of other countries in their concerned businesses so far. Yasin said thy were also planning to make a postal code for the country, but it there are still problems of lack of clear maps and addresses of cities and roads, a jot yet to be done by the municipality. Muhammad Asif Akbari, an official of the Kabul Municipality, told this news agency that they will finish work of giving specific names to roads and different parts of the capital which hasnt been named clearly in terms of addresses so far.


REBUILDING BUDDHAS BECOMES SYMBOL IN REBUILDING AFG For more than a millennium Afghanistan's lush Pamir valley lay beneath the benevolent gaze of two colossal standing Buddhas, monuments to an efflorescent history of pilgrims and merchants, of religion and culture. In 2001, the statues were destroyed by the ruling Taliban, some say out of religious fanaticism, others as a political statement against the West. What's left are fragments of stone and wood strewn across the war-torn land like broken pieces of a once resplendent past. The statues were built sometime in the 6th century as part of a larger Buddhist monastery, itself the center of a major religious and trading post on the Silk Road connecting Europe to the Tang Dynasty capital in China. Much of the area, as well as present-day Pakistan and parts of North India, belonged then to the rulers of the Kushan Empire, an Indo-European people ancestral to the present-day Pashtuns that inhabit the valley. The Kushan empire thrived from the wealth of culture and trade that flowed across the Silk Road.

Unlike today, Buddhism in the 6th century was also a major proselytizing faith, sending missionaries far and wide to convert rulers and thereby entire peoples to its doctrine. Kings and emperors alike saw in Buddhism a powerful tool to unite, and in many ways subjugate, a people to the royal will. The rulers of Kushan were no doubt of this mind, and the building of the mammoth stone Buddhas would serve as a testament to the spiritual and political power of the state. It was a project born of faith and politics, state and religion. In 2001, when the Taliban set their rocket launchers on the still, serene faces of the two Buddhas, the world stood up in outrage, aghast at the callous and wanton destruction of such valuable treasures of ancient human history. For many, it was further proof of the inhumanity of Afghanistan's Islamic rulers.

Wanton, yes! Inhuman, maybe. One has to remember that in 2001 Afghanistan was experiencing a severe drought, with thousands suffering from starvation. In March of that year, the New York Times reported that in the midst of famine-like conditions, a foreign delegation had offered money to renovate the Bamyan statues, and had refused to allocate a portion to relieve hunger. Outraged, the Taliban's clerics sealed the fate of the Bamyan Buddhas. Or did they? Since the U.S.-led invasion ousted the Taliban from power in Afghanistan, a host of countries including Japan and Thailand have offered to rebuild the statues. Today teams of Afghans under the direction of a German architect and Italian engineers work to rebuild the two Buddhas. It strikes me as ironic since a century ago, it was Europeans who led in the looting of Afghanistan's cultural relics, bringing back the heads of stone and marble Buddhas to be put on display, a symbol of Europe's preeminence in all things, past and present. And yet it was exactly these stolen treasures that first introduced Westerners to the beauty and elegance of Afghanistan's Buddhist art. Which brings us back to Bamyan.

Bamyan's Buddhas stood in the midst of war, of oppression and religious fanaticism. Obscured by the dust and smoke of gunfire, they seemed a dim recollection of a more glorious period now far removed. One has to wonder, in light of this, what the symbolic significance of these two Buddhist statues can be for an Islamic country desperate to rebuild itself, and for the larger world which shares in a piece of the country's past and present. The destruction of these statues by the Taliban is certainly not the first time a government has attempted to erase history in order to create a new nation with a new ideology. And yet, as with the shards of the two Buddhas, history remains, broken but powerful. An interesting feature of the two statues was their Greek influence, a reflection of the highly cosmopolitan world of the Silk Road. The statues were a blending of East and West. Today, as Europeans and Afghans work to reclaim the splendor of Bamyan piece by piece, painstakingly putting back together the fragments of a shattered past, perhaps the statues will symbolize a new Afghanistan, one that embraces a diverse and inspiring past, gazing, like the Buddha, at a more prosperous future. Copyright NAM

Editor's note: Commentator Peter Schurmann is a student at UC Berkeley in Asian Studies.


UN REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO HELP REINFORCE HR IN AFG KABUL: The top United Nations envoy in Afghanistan on Friday pledged the world organization`s support in entrenching fundamental human rights in the strife-torn country. Welcoming President Hamid Karzai`s recent decree confirming the appointment of three new commissioners to the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), Secretary-General Kofi Annan`s Special Representative Tom Koenigs stressed the crucial role played by the rights body. "Since its establishment in June 2002, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has played a vital role in protecting and promoting the human rights of all of Afghanistan`s peoples," he said in a statement. "I welcome President Karzai`s recent confirmation of three new appointments to the commission and hope that the new commissioners will continue their work with the same commitment and effort that the AIHRC has demonstrated since it was established. "The United Nations remains committed to supporting the work of the AIHRC and we will continue to work with the commission as it strives to build recognition and respect for fundamental human rights across Afghanistan," he added.

AFG-IRAN SIGN MOU ON ECONOMIC COOPERATION KABUL - Afghanistan and Iran Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to bolster bilateral cooperation in fields of economic relations and trade in a year. The MoU was signed by the Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and his Iranian counterpart visiting Kabul Manochehr Muttaki in their second meeting. Spanta told reporters after the meeting that in addition to of economic cooperation they also discussed issues of cultural exchange and security situation. He said aim of the MoU was to boost up economic ties between the two countries. He said Iran was a historical friend of Afghanistan and that its strained relations with US, a strategic ally of the latter, will not cast any effects on friendship of the two neighbors. "Iran is a good ally of Afghanistan in war on terrorism and drugs and its nuclear activities pose no threat to us," said Spanta. Muttaki, for his part, termed signing of the MoU as an important document for doubling commercial and economic cooperation between the two countries. He said Iran was committed to take active part in reconstruction of its war-ravaged neighbour because stability and prosperity in Afghanistan was beneficial for Iran and the whole world. On the issue of presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan, Muttaki said the international forces were in Afghanistan for keeping security. He said the foreign forces would withdraw when the Afghan forces became able to shoulder the security. This session of the Afghan and Iranian foreign ministers was part of the periodical meetings of the two on bilateral and regional issues. The first foreign ministerial meeting was held in Tehran two years ago.

FORMER AFGHAN KING CANCELS MEETINGS DUE TO ILLNESS AFG's former king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, is ill, a spokesman for the family said on Tuesday. "He is under the care of doctors in bed and that is why he can't hold meetings," said the spokesman, Fazl Ahmad Popal. He did not give details about the former king's illness but said it was linked to his age. Zahir Shah is 92. Zahir Shah holds no power but was given the symbolic role of "Father of the Nation" after he returned to AFG from decades of exile in Italy in 2002, after the Taliban were ousted. Since then he has been living in Kabul, often holding meetings with tribal leaders. Zahir Shah ascended the throne in 1933 after his father was assassinated by a deranged student. He was king until 1973 when he was overthrown in a bloodless leftist coup led by a cousin. His rule is regarded by many Afghans as a golden age of tranquillity and stability. But critics say the he did not do much for the country's development.


MONEY CHANGING OLD SYSTEM STILL POPULAR IN AFG KABUL - Though 14 banks are operative in country, but still thousands of people may be seen busy in currency exchange of million dollars in Shahzada Sarai. Famous for its 50 years history, the centre has got national and international reputation and Da Afghanistan Bank also confirm currency rate from this centre. Amin Jan Khosti, a money changer, told Pajhwok Afghan News as due to long wars there were no arrangements for Banking system, then money changers were the only means for currency transfer or exchange. He said there were about 300 money changing shops in the centre, about 100 of these dealers were doing business of money delivery. He said the dealers often do business of $8 million on the daily basis. Mohammad Isa Tarab, deputy head of Da Afghanistan Bank, said they were giving permission to two types of money changers, the one who could business of delivery but the other could not do this dealing. He said the dealers who were doing work of money delivery should deposit 0.1 million afghanis in Afghanistan bank as guarantee. Khosti, 48, who has worked for 21 years in Shahzada Sarai said large number of people are coming to the centre for exchanging or delivery of money. He said: "We are doing business through telephone, fax and e-mail that may be done in minute while banks take much time therefore, people come to us for dealings." To a question that black money may also be sent through this way, Khosti said: "This is possible, but we have no information about this, intelligence should know about this." He said they charged the customer with minor commission and the ratio of fee was depending upon the place where it might be sent. He said: "We take commission from 0.2 per cent to 2 per cent." Khosti said they were paying 10,000 afghanis tax to the government. He said the money changers and officials of the Ministry of Finance according to a guess fix the tax. According to government rules, the money dealers have been divided into 25 groups, who are paying from 20,000 afghanis to 0.7 million afghanis keeping in view their income. The people who were sending money through money changers in the past are still sticking to this old style. Mohammad Sharif, 50, a resident of Logar said: "Our other villagers also send money through money changers, we are not used with banking system." Amin Jan Khosti, said a ten-member of police was guarding the market, but still the money changers did not fell themselves safe out of the Sarai. He said: "We take a policeman along whenever we have to go out of the Sarai." He said over 20 money changers had been killed in the last 14 years by unidentified gunmen and over 100 had been looted.

BADGHIS AIRPORT RUNWAY REBUILT Reconstruction of runway of the Qala-e-Naw airport in the western province of Badghis has been completed at the cost of $1.2 million by the Spanish Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT). John Carlo Ciaburro, spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the western zone, told Pajhwok Afghan News on Thursday that the airport having 2000-meter long and 25-meter wide runway could be used for any type of Boeing airbus flights. He added that other facilities as lights, radar and other equipment will be installed later at the airport. Sayed Zia Wasiqi, spokesman for the Badghis governor, said that the Afghan Ariana Airline's planes should have to land at the runway earlier, but bad weather has impeded that till now. He said that only planes belonging to the ISAF were using the airport for their flights. The Spanish troops are engaged in reconstruction and security maintenance in Badghis province under ISAF. Badghis deputy governor said the airport was made in 1968 for the first time which could be used for small plane it was expanded later to be used for all kinds of flights. Two weeks back, runway of the Bagram airport in Parwan province was also reconstructed to be used for big military flights. The 3600-meter long and 46-meter wide runway was built at the cost of $68 millions by 400 Afghan workers in two years.


EAST BAY MAN RUNS PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC IN AFG Whenever the young man heard a plane screeching by overhead, he would scream so uncontrollably that everyone in his Afghanistan village grew to despise him. His hysterical outbursts -- fallout from growing up in a homeland where bombs and bullets had been raining from the sky for decades -- embarrassed his parents so much they dumped him on the streets of nearby Jalalabad. There, in Afghanistan's most eastern city, the disgraced 21-year-old became a scavenger, eating rotten fruit to survive. One day, a fruit seller took pity on him and brought him to a psychological clinic in the city. After a physical, he received counseling and then medication to steady his runaway emotions. Six months later, he opened his own fruit stand in Jalalabad.

The person instrumental in starting that life-changing clinic lives and works in the East Bay. Kahlil Rahmany, a clinical psychologist with offices in Concord and Newark, opened the clinic in 2003, after the Taliban government was thrown out. "The purpose was to reach out to the war-stricken, primarily women and children," said the former freedom fighter who immigrated to the United States in 1982. Rahmany, who mostly counsels Afghan immigrants, estimates about 100,000 live in the East Bay. After witnessing and hearing about the shattered lives in Afghanistan, Rahmany decided he must do something to help. So far, the clinic has treated nearly 1,000. "People have not only lost their lives and loved ones and parts of their bodies, they've lost all they've owned," Rahmany said. The clinic steers clear of religion, politics or cultural issues, concentrating exclusively on psychological matters, he said. The fruit seller's story, like others told to Rahmany by members of the seven-person clinic, touched him personally. But the people there need more than healing emotional wounds.

To turn around lives, more jobs and schools must be created, along with the rebuilding of roads and homes, he said. The resiliency of the long-suffering Afghanistan people continues to inspire him, he said. These people not only weathered the Taliban, but were battered by wars and watched as their homes and homeland were desecrated. The clinic, he said, could use added funding to help more people. Rahmany travels every two years to visit his mother in Pakistan, and hears more harrowing stories. One he can readily recall concerns a young woman who begged for sleeping pills from the clinic so she could end her life of abuse. That type of desperation is common, he said. Fortunately, the woman now sees a better future, he said. Of great concern is the younger generation, especially males brought up to believe violence solves every problem. "There's a lot of mistrust in the current generation," he said. "They don't trust each other. Or anyone else." Young men often live and die by the rule that "if you disagree with me, then you are my enemy." Years of living in a volatile region where war and violence were the norms shaped that attitude. "War took away their education," he said. Many of the young men only know about war and how to kill. Randy Myers is a Times staff writer. Reach him at [email protected] or 925-977-8419. How to help Readers interested in helping the work of the Jalalabad mental health clinic may call Kahlil Rahmany at 925-858-5421.

PAKISTAN LIFTS BAN ON AFGHAN TOLO TV Tolo TV has once again been granted permission to resume broadcasting through Pakistani cable networks. The Pakistani authorities banned Tolo TV cable broadcasts two months ago. A number of analysts and the Foreign Ministry spokesman had then described the ban on Tolo TV broadcasts as against international media laws and the freedom of speech. [Correspondent] The permission for the resumption of Tolo TV cable broadcasts in Pakistan comes after Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri visited Kabul three weeks ago. He had then expressed unawareness about the ban but promised to speak to his country's minister of information about it.


Tolo TV has been broadcasting for over three years. The Pakistani authorities have banned the channel's cable broadcasts in that country several times. A number of cultural activists and analysts believe that Tolo TV is a new phenomenon in the Afghan visual media, adding that the channel has shown remarkable creativity in producing new programmes. They believe that the ban on Tolo is against international media laws.

AFGHAN BOY IS BROUGHT TO UNITED STATES FOR SURGERY IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK (AP) _ An 8-year-old boy from Afghanistan stood in Times Square Monday welcoming a new year that will bring him corrective surgery thanks to the concerns of twin Army doctors who met him while they worked for six months in his war-ravaged country. "I'm happy. It's the first time I've seen something like this," Khatibullah Farqirzada said on a morning that also marked his birthday as he stood in the bright lights of one of the world's most famous landmarks. "In Afghanistan, everybody celebrates in their homes. Here, everybody comes out to be together," he said.

His father, Shafi, said: "My hope is my son (has) a new year and a new life." Within days, Farqirzada will undergo surgery to correct hypospadia, a rare condition that prevents him from urinating properly. The surgery at Westchester Medical Center was arranged after surgeons Vince and Vance Moss, U.S. Army reservists, met the boy in the village of Paghman while they were in Afghanistan on a relief mission, working in a small operating room at the Afghan Army National Hospital. While there, they performed the first stage of urinary constructive surgery on Farqirzada before increasing violence forced them to evacuate before they could complete the work.

Vance Moss said the 34-year-old doctors, who live in Manhattan and practice in Lakewood, N.J., were heartbroken to leave early last year and vowed to try to help the boy. The boy's trip to America with his father was made possible through donations and the Westchester hospital, which offered its facilities without charge, Vince Moss said. The twin surgeons, who also are donating their services, will be taking the boy on various outings, including a day at the zoo. Vance Moss said the doctors may return to Afghanistan to do further work. "We just have a sense of purpose for these young people in Afghanistan," he said of an area where conditions were so crude that they sometimes operated by flashlight. "The basics of standard health care are nonexistent. When we were there, we realized how much there is to do."

AFG KURASH FEDERATION AWARDED AS THE BEST OF 2006 The International Kurash Association (IKA) has awarded the Afghanistan Kurash federation as the best of the year 2006, officials said. Sayed Mahmood Zia Dashti, head of the Afghanistan Kurash Federation (AKF), told Pajhwok Afghan News on Wednesday that the Afghan Kurash athletes showed great performances during the games held among four Asian countries in Kabul and the international competition held in Kazakhstan. "We learned through e-mail that the International Kurash Association has awarded us as the best Kurash federation of the year," he said, adding that the award was a great achievement for Afghan athletes. The Afghan Kurash athletes won five gold medals, seven silver and 10 bronze medals during the four-country competition in Kabul. Besides this, they own one silver and three bronze medals during international Kurash competitions earlier 2006, said Dashti. Based in Tashkent, IKA had 93 members and Afghanistan joined it in 2002. Dashti added that Kurash was a traditional Afghan sport played by Afghans in the northern parts of the country in the past, especially during the new year celebrations. Originally, Kurash is the native ancient type of upright jacket wrestling practiced in Uzbekistan. It is a member of Turkish wrestling arts.


IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISITS KABUL Iranian Foreign Minister, HE Dr. Manouchehr Mottaki arrived in Kabul to take part at the second Iran-Afghanistan Joint Economic Commission meeting. He received by his Afghan counterpart, HE Dr. Rangin Spanta. Following discussion between members of the joint Commission, both ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which will pave the way for increasing the level of cooperation between the two countries. Signing ceremony was followed by a joint press conference by the two ministers. The Afghan minister referred to many common grounds between the two nations, which have given almost a unique character to the two countries’ relations. He thanked Iran’s constructive role in supporting Afghanistan during the recent years, in particular Iran’s active role since the collapse of the Taliban regime. Afghan Minister expressed his confidence that questions over Iran’s nuclear program would not affect Afghanistan, as both Iran and western nations desire to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. On his part, the Iranian Minister, Dr. Mottaki reiterated Iran’s continuing support for the Afghan government and expressed his wish to see the level of economic and trade transaction between the two nations to be doubled to reach over one billion US dollar by the third Joint Economic Commission Meeting.

SAUDI ARABIA DONATES FURNITURE FOR SCHOOLS The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has donated chairs and desks worth two million afghanis to schools in the southeastern Paktia province. Islamuddin Mangal, deputy head of the education department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the donation consisted of 10,000 chairs and desks. He said it was handed over to the provincial government by officials of the Saudi embassy in Kabul. Mangal said the education departed had started distribution of the furniture to various schools in the province. Only those schools will get the chairs and desks which had proper buildings. Addressing a gathering organised in this connection, Paktia Governor Rahmatullah Rahmat assured the provincial government would allocate funds for construction of school buildings. He thanked the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the assistance and said the embassy had promised more aid in the future. Majority of schools in Paktika and other backward provinces have no buildings and students are either studying under trees or in tents.

CANADIAN FM ARRIVES IN KABUL Canadian Foreign Minister Peter MacKay arrived in Kabul on an official visit on Sunday to reaffirm his country's commitment to Afghanistan. During his meeting with President Hamid Karzai, he said his country would continue supporting Afghanistan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Bahin told Pajhwok Afghan News the Canadian FM discussed the security situation and reconstruction with President Karzai and other senior officials. During his one-day visit, the Canadian FM will also pay a visit to the southern province of Kandahar to meet his country's troops stationed there as part of the NATO counter-insurgency operations. Hamim Jalalzai


CULTURAL EVENTS Dear Friends, As you may already know Ariana Outreach had its' first Annual Afghan & American Sisterhood Award Gala. Below you can view a Press Release about the Gala www.arianaoutreach.com This is a big step for AO as a new organization. Here is how you can get involved . AO would like to accept nominations for next years award recipients. There will be two potential honorees: An Afghan Woman and an American Woman. Sonia Nassery Cole, Afghanistan World Foundation and Charlie Ponticelli, Department of State were the 2006 recipients of the award . AO now wants to reach out to the world for next year's nominations . Nominations will be given based on amount of time spent trying to make a difference in the lives of the Afghan people . There will be no restrictions on the sector as long as there are visible results . Nominations should be submitted to [email protected] no later than January 13th 2007. The Board of AO as well as some distinguished dignitaries will vote on the final honorees. AO is hopeful this will encourage other women and people to reach out to their fellow Afghan brothers and sisters in order to make a difference. Submissions should be made in the following manner : 1. Your nomination for the Afghan recipient of the Award 2. Your nomination for the American recipient of the Award 3. 1-3 sentences of why these women should be honored 4. Your Name 5. Your contact information 6. Your place of residence 7. Your occupation ex: student, carpenter etc... 8. Indicate on the subject line of the email, NOMINATION

THE AFGHAN GALARY

Afghan Gallery offers a sale with 25% discount on its fine collection of art works from Afghan Artists, professionally crafted and naturally processed variety of traditional handicrafts and gift items. The collection include paintings, silk and woolen rugs (with natural dyes and traditional designs) in small, medium and large sizes, hand stitched needle works, pottery, blue glass, locally crafted small jewelry and other gift items. By purchasing from Afghan Gallery you confidently get the value for your money and mean time you contribute to creating jobs for quality craft producers specially women. Pay a visit, benefit from the discount offer and enjoy your time by going through a colorful range of products and a warm welcome of our staff, seven days a week 9am to 5pm. The Sale with the discount is for one month from 1st to 31st December 2006. We highly appreciate if you share this circulation with your friends and colleagues in Afghanistan. With Best wishes The Afghan Gallery Kolula Pushta Road, first bus stand. after Netherlands's Embassy, (on the same side) towards Khairkhana (towards north) Mobile: +93 (0) 0799712442, Digital Phone: +93 (0) 752016347


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ROYA MATTRESS Roya Mattress is pleased to inform you that we have got the new shipments of Woolen Blankets, Comforters (Goose Feather fill in) Pillows, Bed sets etc. All our products come from famous companies/brands and they are high quality. Please visit our show room to see our products. Please email us [email protected] to share with you additional information or visit our Store/Show Room in Kabul Share Now Opp. UN Guesthouse and in Herat in Kabul Bank Building. We are also planning to open a new branch in Mazare city soon. Please share this anouncement with Friends new in Kabul or have plan to visit Kabul to make their stay more comfortale. Roya Mattress Kabul contacts; Phone: 70-283 856 and 20 200 1656

ANNOUNCING PARSA’S WELL-BEING CENTER YOGA CLASSES We are pleased to introduce two new programs to support personal well-being. Molly Howitt, yoga instructor, has joined PARSA staff to provide yoga in our “vulnerable children” programs. She is also offering yoga classes in Shari Nau and in Karte Se. Proceeds from yoga classes will go to support her work with PARSA’s programs for children at Allahoddin Orphanage and the School for the Deaf. Please call Molly at: 0798405622 for the yoga class schedule.

Physiotherapy Also, PARSA’s experienced physiotherapists are available for treatment of sport injuries, back pain, neck pain, peripheral joint pain, arthritis and stress related body pain. Please call Atiquallah Kohistani at 0702105012.

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Tradepoint Afghanistan LTD is the exclusive authorized agent for Philips Lighting, Medical Systems, Domestic Appliances and Consumer Electronics in Afghanistan. We also represent other international brands like Dell, ScreenCheck, AFGA, VDG Security cameras and Bosch. The showroom will be opened On November 25th, but our service center is already fully operational. We have qualified and trained engineers who can repair electrical appliances, domestic as well as industrial, and computer equipment. In addition, we do computer networking. Our service center is conveniently located just outside the city centre, with parking space. Address: Tradepoint House, 1st str., Charahi Gul-e Surgh, Kolola Pushta, Kabul, Afghanistan Call for more information: 065 200 7000 Mobile: 0799 504 208, 0799 322 646, 070 225 450.

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We invite you to visit and stay at our secure and comfy environment. Maple Leaf Inn operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week Enjoy your stay in Afghanistan


FLOWER STREET CAFÉ Kabul’s best brunch and lunch spot

Winter is nearly upon us. Warm up with our delicious soups, cappuccino and hot chocolate! Don’t miss Kabul’s best burger and fries, focaccia and kebob sandwiches, fresh salads and munchies. We bake our own bread and cakes daily using the finest ingredients. Fresh juices, smoothies and espresso coffees served for your enjoyment. Take Away, Lunch Delivery & Catering available. Please call us to order. Open daily 9am to 10pm. Our popular brunch is from 9am to 3pm on Fridays & Saturdays. House #57, Street 7, Qala-e-Fatullah (between Taimani and Qala-e-Fatullah roads)

[email protected] , Tel: 070-29-3124 and 079-35-6319

LE BISTRO RESTUARANT Hello to everybody! November in France is time for grape harvesting and wine making. Beaujolais, in the central part of France, is famous for its “primeur”, the young wine just made with the year vintage grapes. Thanks to an excellent marketing campaign Beaujolais primeur is distributed all around the world and tasted, but not before the third Thursday of November. With a day delay, Le Bistro invites you to come on Friday 17th November and taste this year new vintage.


In order to follow this tradition Le Bistro postpones to Friday 24th November the Herat exhibition initially planed for the 17th. So next Friday (17th) is Beaujolais, the following Friday (24th) will be Safran and silks. Come with your friends to enjoy the party! See you then Dan de Mirmont, [email protected] , Phone : +93(0)799 598 852

BAKU RESTAURANT IN KABUL Please taste the real delicious AZARI food in Baku restaurant in Kabul. Azeri Restaurant Baku is open every day from 11.00 to 22.00 o cloc. The Bar is open to midnight. On fridays and saturdays,from 11.00 to 14.00. Delivery and Take away services are also available. You can enjoy, the meal in private rooms furnished in the best traditions of Azeri culture and under beautiful Azeri music Mugham. Foods We offer to our guests the variety of starters, soup and Dolma, Kutab, Plov, Shashlik and many other famous Azeri dishes. European and Asian dishes are also available in our restaurant. Our address Kabul,Wazir Akbarkhan,str 15 lane5.hous329 Phone0799083918,0799827313. Email: [email protected]

T-BONES Wazir Akhbar Khan Meat Market Specialties Street 10, House 313

Featuring

“The What-A-Burger Café” • What-A-Burger, Fries and Drink………………………….....$6.50 • Chicken Fried Cube Steak Dinner, Fries and Drink…....…..$7.50 • T-Bone Steak(10oz.), Fries, Salad and Drink….…….….…$10.95

Sandwiches Served with Mustard, Mayonaise, Kechup and Onions…….Your choice!! Note: All raw vegetables and fruits used in this Cafe are sanitized before serving. Call Russ Ph# 070-298-301 or Abdel Wasiy Ph# 070-219-432


THE CAMARO HOUSE Located behind the Mustafa Hotel, The Camaro House is offering the following services:

• $20USD per room, per night • 24 Hour electricity • 24 Hour inter-net • Inside parking • Safe and secure • Restraunt

Contact 0799-314-351/0799-133-094

L’ATMOSPHERE Enjoy a unique taste of Frenchness… and more

Menu de Noël - Christmas Menu - December 24 Salade Folle au Foie Gras, Ou

Clafoutis de Saumon Fumé Filet de Chevreuil (Venison) Sauce aux Airelles, Ou

Cassolette de Langoustines (Norway Lobsters) et son Sabayon d’Estragon Granité d’Ananas (Pineapple) caramélisé à la Vanille et au Rhum

Ou Bûche de Noël

New Year’s Eve Menu - December 31

Petits Feuilletés et Kir de Bienvenue Tatin de Foie Gras aux Abricots

ou Assiette Nordique

Trou Normand Tournedos Rossini ou

Cuisse de Canard (leg of Duck) aux Navets Confits Bûche Chocolat Caramel ou Mystère Glacé au Chocolat


Possible changes pending availability L’Atmosphère will be open on Sunday, December 24 and 31 but closed on Monday, 25 and January

First Prices Christmas Menu : 1500 Afs (tax 10% and drinks not included)

New Year Menu : 2000 Afs (tax 10% and drinks not included) 250 Afs per person will be given to Ashiana, NGO supporting streets and working children

Better to reserve : Enayat (079 93 00 264) or Joëlle (079 84 13 872)

RED HOT SIZZLING STEAK HOUSE Catering Beyond Borders is running the Red Hot and Sizzling Steak House. The manager is Danny Lawson and can be reached @ 0093-(0)-799-838-646. His e-mail address is. [email protected] and his web site is, www.cateringbb.com

MISCELLANEOUS BANQUET/ CONFERENCE CHAIRS FOR SALE 1000 no’s of Brand New Banquet Chairs (with and without arms) for sale. Interested parties may contact Mr. Enamullah at 0799600745 LOOKING FOR BUSINESS PARTNER Looking for American Business Partner for newly established Security Company in Kabul, Afghanistan. Contact email add: [email protected]

PHYSIOTHERAPIST IN KABUL My name is M Traiq Iqbal physiotherapist havig 4 year university degree in physiotherapy from tehran and giving home visit physiotherapy for expitarte community in kabul. Please contact me for appointment. My mobile 0093 (0)70288351

TV FOR SALE This is the information for the TV. 21 inch SHARP color TV. almost new, bought for 6,100 Afs. used by an expatriate for a month and now available for 4000 Afs. Purchase receipt is available. If interested please contact 0799-737-806. HOUSE FOR RENT A House for rent is lokated in Parlamantry House infornt Estaqlal Hospital with a good condition with 7 room. for farther information please contec Mr Ramazan 0778820988 Email: [email protected]


THE HEALTH CLINIC

near Pul-e-Mahmood Khan, Shash Darek [email protected] 0799 972 439 Emergency 0799 992 439 - 0799 993 400

SUPREME PX BEAUTY SERVICE

0798 978 216 Manager 0798 259 328 [email protected]

JJOOBB SSEECCTTIIOONN OFFERING A JOB

JOB OPPORTUNITY IN CARE AFGHANISTAN CARE Afghanistan is seeking a Program Development Officer/Gender Adviser, to be responsible for working with senior management on the design of new programs, proposal preparation and writing in accordance with program strategies and CARE Afghanistan's objectives and directions ensuring the timeliness and quality of country office reporting and information sharing and promotion of gender mainstreaming into the organizational policies, practices and programs. The Program Development Officer/Gender Adviser is a member of the Senior Management Team and is expected to contribute substantively to strategic planning and program expansion. In addition to a bachelor's degree or above in international development, community development or similar subject, the ideal candidate will have 5 years of field experience in development, rehabilitation and/or relief programs, 3 years experience in gender programming and mainstreaming, and experience working in a complex, fast-paced work environment. Other requirements include strong program design and development skills, excellent writing and oral communication skills in English, preferably as a first language, a demonstrated ability to prepare proposals, reports and other written materials of a high quality, and the ability to effectively manage competing priorities. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 15 January 2007.

TFI INTERNATIONAL

TFI - International is looking the following specialists for working in Afghanistan: 1. Electrical Engineer 2. Civil Engineer 3. Concrete Engineer 4. Concrete Supervisor 5. Mechanical Engineer 6. IT/Network specialist 7. Procurement Manager 8. Logistics Manager 9. Production Director 10.Finance/Accounting Manager 11.Business Development Manager All candidates, whether local or foreign, should speak English and have significant work experience. Dari, Pashtu, Russian, Turkish language abilities considered a plus. If interested, please send your CV to [email protected]. Our website is at www.tfi-intl.com.


CIVIL ENGINEER NEEDED Logistics and engineering company looking for experienced civil engineers, operation managers and commercial sales managers. Fulltime, international positions. Contact: [email protected]

UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN (UNAMA)

Tel: +1-212-963-2668 Fax: +1-212-963-2669

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has the following vacancies for the interested Afghan nationals. For more information on this vacant positions please go to UNAMA website http://www.unama-afg.org/va/vacancies.htm.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 353/12/2006 Title: Security Assistant Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: General Service Level Level: GS-5 Duty station: Kabul Unit/Section: Security Issuing date: 26 December 2006 Closing date: 10 January 2007

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 357/12/2006

Title: Human Rights Officer Number of post: One Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: National Professional Officer (NPO) Level: NO-A Duty station: Herat Unit/Section: Human Rights Unit Issuing date: 27 December 2006 Closing date: 11 January 2007

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 355/12/2006 Title: Political Affairs Officer Number of posts: Two Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: National Professional Officer (NPO) Level: NO-B Duration: First three months (probationary period – renewable) Duty station: Kabul Unit/Section: Pillar I/Political Affairs Issuing date: 27 December 2006 Closing date: 11 January 2007

ACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 356/12/2006 Title: Medical Officer Number of posts: Two Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: National Professional Officer (NPO) Level: NO-C Duty station: Kabul Unit/Section: Medical Unit Issuing date: 27 December 2006 Closing date: 26 January 2007


VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 358/12/2006 Title: Claims Property Survey Officer Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: National Professional Officer (NPO) Level: NO-A Duty station: Kabul Unit/Section: General Services Section Issuing date: 27 December 2006 Closing date: 26 January 2007

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # 359/12/2006 Title: Information Technology Officer Number of posts: Two Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category/Grade: National Professional Officer (NO-B) Duration: First three months (probationary period – renewable) Duty station: Kabul Organizational Unit: Information Technology Section Issuing date: 27 December 2006 Closing date: 26 January 2007

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT #362/12/2006 Title: Information Officer Type of contract: Appointment for Limited Duration (ALD) Category: National Professional Officer (NPO) Level: NO-B Duty station: Kabul Unit/Section: Best Practices Office, Office of the Chief of Staff Issuing date: 31 December 2006 Closing date: 13 January 2007

Applicants meeting the above qualifications are requested to submit a cover letter quoting this Vacancy Announcement title and number along with their Curriculum Vitae; P-11 form photocopies of certificates to: Only applications that clearly indicate the vacancy number on the envelope; or in the subject of the email (if the application is being sent electronically), will be reviewed. Application can be sent to: Personnel Section, UN Operation Centre in Afghanistan (UNOCA), Jalalabad Road, Kabul, Afghanistan, OR

Email to: [email protected]

LOOKING FOR A JOB:

FAZEL AHMAD BEAUTY SALON (For men)

Fazel Ahmad beauty saloon for men with a long standing experience provide you all beauty services. The opening time is from 8 to 18:00 6 days a week. Our address is Charahi Haji Yaqob and for further information please contact 020-2202490.


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Please note that “What’s on” team can change style of your text and remove big pictures if it will be necessary Dear subscribers please do not forget to ask us to remove your advertisement if succeeded.

RENT A CAR

Rent a car for $ 500 per month along with driver. Contact Sameer on: 0799381706

WHAT’S ON DIRECTORY

Accommodation

ASSA Guest House 0799-555666 0799-666555. [email protected] Chicken Street G.H 070-211911 0799-354090, [email protected] Rose Garden Palace Hotel, 0799-013055 070-70271107, Email: [email protected] Mustafa Hotel 070-276021,[email protected] B’Place Guest House 070-276416, 070276711

Park Residence Guest House EURO Guest House 070-197220/0799342705 HEETAL G. House 0799-167824/0799159697 Ajmal Wali G.House, 070-277657, 0799335934 Star Inn Guest House, 0799-558787, 0799003333 OTTAWA Resorts, 0799-321401, 070203412 Le Monde Guest House 0799-614872/070-280751

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ATM Machines AIB, Afghanistan International Bank AIB House, 1608, Behind Amani High School, Wazir Akbar Khan, Openings time, Sun-Thu:9:00-17:00, Sat: 9:00-13:00 Intercontinental Hotel, 1 ATM, 24 hours open. Currency US dollars Kabul International Airport, 1 ATM, 24 hours open, currency US dollars Kabul City Center, 1 ATM, 24 hours open, currency US dollars Bagram Military Base, 1 ATM, 24 hours open, currency US dollars ISAF HQ military Base, 1 ATM, 24 hours, currency US dollars and EURO KAIA Military Base, 1 ATM, 24 hours, currency US dollars and EURO SUPREME , Supreme PX, Jalalabad Road, 24/7, restricted access to compound. currency USD, Max 160 Kabul compound, next Amani High School, WAK, 24 hours, restricted access to the compound Kabul International Airport, Great Masood Road, 24/7, currency USD. Limits Min - 40, Max – 160 US Embassy Kabul, Great Masood Road, 24/7, restricted access to compound.Currency USD, Max-150 Standard & Chartered bank Str.10 Wazir Akbar Khan near Pakistan Embassy Opening time: Official days 9:00 to 18:00

Dancing & Instrumental Lessons


Galleries

Museums

Sports Get fit with the Tae kwondo world champion! Tennis Volley ball Basketball INTERESTED IN SPORTS


Restaurants in Kabul № NAME Cuisine English Menu And/Or

English Speaking Staff Opening Hours ADDRESS PHONE Phone Orders

Home Delivery

1. L’ATMOSPHERE Restaurant French French & English menu 10:00 -22:00 Str.4, Qala-e- fatullah 0799-300264

070-224982 Phone orders 077300264

2. DEHLI DARBAR Restaurant Indian English menu

English speaking staff 10.00 – 22.00 Shar-e-now, Close to Women’s Ministry

0799-324899 0799-833238 Phone orders

3. POPOLANO Restaurant French English menu 09.00 – 22.00 Charahi Ansari

Kabul 070-288116 Phone orders

4. LAI THAI Restaurant Thai English menu English speaking staff 11.00 –21.00 Str15 Wazir Ak Khan

House No.124 070-297557 070-278640 No

5. B’S PLACE Restaurant(Guest.House) Italian, Mexican English menu 11.00 – 23.00 Str.2, Qala-e- fatullah

House No.3 070-276416 070-276711 Phone order

6. TAVERNE DU LIBAN Libanes, Interna English menu and

speaking staff 11:00-22:00 Str10, Lane 3 WAK 0799-828376 070-210651 No

7. VILA VELEBITA Restaurant/Bar European English menu 10.00 – 22.00 Str 10 Wazir Ak khan 0799-160368 No

8. ISTANBUL Restaurant Turkish English menu 08.00 – 21.00 Macroian2, Matba

block 104 070-200116 0799-356282 Phone orders

9. ESCALADES Restaurant European English menu 10.00 – 22.00 1st Qala-e-Fateullah 0799-473763

077-111615 No

10. GOLDEN KEY SEA FOOD RES Chinese English menu 10.00 – 21.00 Str.13, Wazir Akbar

Khan Kabul 0799-002800 0799-016591 No

11. KULBA AFGHAN Afghan, Italian English menu 10:00 – 21.00 Shar-e-now, Esmat Moslim Str. 3rd floor

0799452151 070034979 No

12. SHAR-E-NOW BURGER Fast Food English menu 09.00 – 21.00 Shar-e-now,

opoosite park 0799-300797 070-255788 Phone order

13. EVEREST PIZZA Fast Food English menu 09.00 – 21.00 13 Str.Wazir Akbar Khan, Kabul

0799-317979 070-263636

Phone orders/ home delivery

14. SAMARQAND Restaurant/Bar International English menu 10:00 - 22:00 Qala Musa, near

Panalpina 0799-234646 0799-118460 No

15. CARLITOS Restaurant/Bar Mexican English Menu

10:00 - 22:00 Str 15 Wazir Ak Khan

0799-159697 0799-167824 No


16. KABUL INN Guest H/Restaurant International

English Menu 10:00-22:00 Qala-Fateullah, near

Zarghoona school 0799-569355 020-2201407

No

17. RED HOT SIZZLIN Restaurant International English Menu 11:00-21:00 Old macrorian, ARC

Yuksel Camp

18. Shamiyana Restaurant Safi Landmark Hotel Multi Cuisine English menu and

speaking staff 7:00-23:00 Kabul City Center 020-2203131 No

19. FLOWER STREET CAFÉ, Restaurant California Cuisine English Menu 8:00 -17:00 House No.57, Str#7

Qala-e-Fatullah 070293124 0799356319

Yes, Phone order delivery

20. SHANDIZ Restaurant International English Menu 10:00 – 21:00 Wazir Akbar Khan 0799-342928

070-284026 Yes

21. Deutscher Hof Kabul Restaurant& G.House German German/ English Menu 11:00 – 23:30 Kalai Fattulah, Street

3, House 60 0799-322582 No

22. BAKU Azerbaijani Restaurant Azerbaijani English Menu 11:00- 22:00 Street 15, Lane 5,

House, 329 WAK 0799-083918 0799-827313 Free delivery

23. CAFÉ ZARNEGAR

International (Buffet and a la carte)

English menu and Speaking staff 06.30 -22.00 Kabul Serena Hotel,

Froshgah Street 0799-654000 ext. 4553 Yes

24. SILK ROUTE

South East Asian (set menu available)



25. SERENA PASTRY SHOP

Freshly baked pastries and bread



26. ANAR Restaurant Indian- Chinse English menu and

speaking staff 11:00-22:00 Str14, Lane 3 WAK 0799-567291 No

27. SUFI Restaurant, No.2 Muslim Str. Shar Afghani Food English menu and

speaking staff 11:00-22:00 Aryoob Cinema, 2nd part of Karte Parwan

0799-337193 0798-190935 Yes

28. KOREAN Restaurant Korean English menu and

speaking staff 11:00-21:00 Str.2, house No.120, Karte-She, Kabul

0799 199509 0799 007546 Yes

29. Springfield Restuarant International English menu and

speaking staff 11:00-22:00 Str.15, 3rd turn left house no.181 WAK

0799-001520 0799-150044 Yes

30. Maple Leaf INN International English Menu 11:00-22:00 Haji Yaqob Str.3 SN 0799321-401 No 31. Sky Line Restuarant International English Menu 11:00-22:00 Safi Landmark Hotel 020-2203131 No 32. International English Menu 11:00-22:00

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