It goes without saying that Afghanistan cannot be settled without dealing—in some way—with the disruption caused by militants crossing the border with Pakistan. That is not the entirety of the story, however. Within the militants hiding in the “lawless” NWFP (a weird term, as the regions are not lawless, but rather not under the control of Islamabad), however, there is still a bit of a struggle for power. Though it is still unclear what exactly happened during the possible flare up earlier this year, it’s not hard to imagine groups like the IMU (or IMT, or whatever acronym they happen to use this month) aren’t necessarily welcomed, but rather tolerated.
Afghanistanica has noted a curious rewards program that offers up to $200,000 for information leading to the capture of certain key Taliban leaders and “criminals.” So who’s worth $200k?
That’s right, our dear friend Tohir Yuldashev (insert apostrophes as you see fit). Is he really worth as much as Haqqani, or Rahim, or even Dr. Al-Haq? Like Afghanistanica, I fail to see how—aside from his prominence, he’s really not a major player in… well, in any conflict in the area. He barely does anything in Waziristan, he can’t operate in Uzbekistan, and he’s on so many terrorism lists it would be surprising if he turns up again even in another video.
What’s more, Yuldashev hasn’t exactly been the most constructive or helpful member of the jihad these days. So I don’t really know why we’re giving him the honor of being worth a lot of money to capture. Do you?
Tangentially Related: Barnett Rubin being interviewed about Iran’s involvement in Afghanistan, and a few other salient topics.
{ 6 comments }
… and Uzbekistanica has this one:
WANTED
ВНИМАНИЕ,
РОЗЫСК!
Karimov, Islam Abduganievich
Karimova, Gulnora Islamovna
These “people” are wanted for crimes against the Republic of Uzbekistan and the people of Uzbekistan as well as other Central Asian countries.
.Systematic impoverishment and oppression of millions of subjects
.Mass murder in Andijan
.Arbitary arrests and torture, disappearances, locking up innocents after framing and show trials
.Looting of state assets, cleptocracy, economic dislocation
.Igniting/escalating of the civil war in Tajikistan in ‘91/’92 through proxies (death toll: 80,000 to 100,000)
.Any other business (please complete): ….
Reward:
Even though everybody knows where they are and many Uzbeks would be glad to tight the nose around their necks free of charge once caught, you may be rewarded for information that leads to the capture of these criminals.
Up to 200,000 $um.
… and Uzbekistanica has this one:
WANTED
ВНИМАНИЕ, РОЗЫСК!
Karimov, Islam Abduganievich
Karimova, Gulnora Islamovna
These “people” are wanted for crimes against the Republic of Uzbekistan and the people of Uzbekistan as well as other Central Asian countries.
.Systematic impoverishment and oppression of millions of subjects
.Mass murder in Andijan
.Arbitary arrests and torture, disappearances, locking up innocents after framing and show trials
.Looting of state assets, cleptocracy, economic dislocation
.Igniting/escalating of the civil war in Tajikistan in ‘91/’92 through proxies (death toll: 80,000 to 100,000)
.Any other business (please complete):
Reward:
Even though everybody knows where they are and many would be glad to hang them free of charge once caught, you may be rewarded for information that leads to the capture of these criminals.
Up to 200,000 Sum.
“So I don’t really know why we’re giving him the honor of being worth a lot of money to capture. Do you?”
Perhaps the Karimovites made a big point of catching him and jacked up the reward with a generous philantropic donation from Gazprom or Alisher Usmanov?
“… and vaguely associated riff-raff”
I don’t see why the Talibs should be bigger riff-raff than all those self-serving, drug-traficking rapist warlords that were nominated governor after 2001/2002 (eg. Karimov proxy Dostum, this notorious Jan Mohammed Khan in Uruzgan etc.)?
200,000 $um!!! If I capture Karimov, I can finally buy all the cotton seed oil I want! Maybe if I capture two of him, I can even buy some flour, too – and make some bread!
The rate is 200,000 $um apiece so senior and junior makes 400,000 $um+a free lottery ticket to win a brand new Daewoo Damas mikoravtobus made in Liberated Uzbekistan (you can us the 400,000 $um for petrol).
I imagine that, assuming the capture of Karimova, I could probably collect some award money from her children’s father in America. It’s a possibility.
Comments on this entry are closed.