This from The New York Times, and the BBC;
23 November 2010 Last updated at 08:26 ET
Taliban impostor 'dupes Afghans and vanishes with cash'
An impostor posing as a leading Taliban negotiator held secret talks with Afghan officials, report US media. The Afghans thought they were dealing with Mullah Akhtar Mohammed Mansour, a top Taliban commander. But he may not even have been a member of the Taliban, reports the New York Times, which broke the story.
He was paid "a lot of money", then he disappeared, say diplomatic sources. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has denied reports he met the impersonator. The man is said to have travelled from Pakistan, where it is thought the Taliban's leadership is based, and reportedly had three meetings with government officials.
It is not clear whether the imposter had any links to the Taliban or if he was simply a conman. Some suggest he might have been a Pakistani intelligence agent. An Afghan intelligence official told the BBC the real Mr Mansour is a senior Taliban member in charge of weapons procurement.
He was once touted as successor to Taliban founder Mullah Omar's second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was arrested in Pakistan in January.
President Karzai has said that talks with the Taliban will be essential to end the nine-year war in Afghanistan, although diplomats have said meaningful negotiations are still some way away.
In many cases the government is not sure who it is dealing with or whether they have the authority to speak on behalf of the Taliban, says the BBC's Quentin Sommerville in Kabul.
Western diplomats have previously conceded that some of those claiming to represent the Taliban have turned out to be frauds.
See Full Story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11818583
Perhaps this a way for Karzai to remove funds for his future pension? Or Possibly a plan by the taliban to obtain western funding. Either way CANADA must cease payments to this corrupt Government ASAP.
I am sure that Canadian Citizens can name a thousand other places where these millions would be welcomed and indeed needed. As for elections in a drug fuelled corrupt Afghanistan this story is just breaking;
Afghan election officials suspendedTwo of Afghanistan's most senior election officials have been suspended, hours before results were finally due to be released from the September poll.
It is not clear why the attorney general acted against the spokesmen of the Independent Election Commission and Electoral Complaints Commission.
A judge is expected to receive files on Wednesday on Nur Mohammad Nur, of the IEC, and Ahmad Zia Rafat, of the ECC.
It is the latest setback to a vote dogged by allegations of corruption.
Last year, President Hamid Karzai's re-election was also overshadowed by fraud.
One more story from the BBC; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11796617
The Afghan Deployment of Canadians is very serious indeed, fresh troops from Both Valcartier and CFB Gagetown have been sent in the past 10 days.
Christmas is coming quickly and I wish all of our soldiers, a happy Christmas where ever they may be serving. Canada is Proud of each and every one of you. God Bless.
PDf notes from Charlene at the MFRC
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
