Tunnel helps hundreds of Taliban out of the political wing of the Prison

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - the Taliban staged an escape from prison bold here early Monday, releasing political prisoners at least 476 through a long tunnel, according to the Director, GEN Ghulam Dastagir Mayar.

He said that security authorities had discovered the morning that the prisoners of the political wing of the building had disappeared, and that the authorities had found just the tunnel. "We do not know if the tunnel was dug from the outside or inside the prison," he said.

The Kandahar prison is the largest and most important prison in the South of the Afghanistan, and it is home to Taliban who were captured in Zabul, Oruzgan and Kandahar, including certain Taliban and several lower-level Taliban personalities, according to security working with prison officers.

It was the second time, there was a major break from prison to prison Sariposa in Kandahar. The Taliban orchestrated by the release of 1,200 prisoners, of whom 350 were members of the Taliban, June 13, 2008, directed by an attack on the prison which killed 15 guards.

The break comes at a crucial moment in the struggle of the Taliban in the South of the Afghanistan. Pushed out of their strongholds in the rural areas outside the city, and under the pressure of a large number of NATO troops that have heightened in the villages, they were able to maintain a presence, but nothing close to the dominant role that they had even a year ago.

Bring a large framework of experienced veterans, which many will have their skills in prison, will give the Taliban flexibility leadership and human resources to send fighters in new neighbourhoods where there are less than NATO troops and reinforce their numbers to those closest to Kandahar.

A spokesman for the Taliban to the South and West of the country, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, said that a total of 541 prisoners had escaped and that among them were 106 Taliban commanders. "Now,"they are in shelters, he said."".

In a clever propaganda ploy, the Taliban gave a captivating description of the escape from prison in a statement that they sent to the news media before of any comment by security authorities who were just discovering the tunnel.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, said in the statement: "we have planned and worked on this during five months, and the tunnel is 360 metres long," he said. "It was very important for us. We have tried to leave no one behind, not even a patient or former political prisoner. ?

"Our Mujahedeen have worked in a very careful manner" as not to be discovered, said Mr Mujahid. The tunnel wound under the control of security outside the prison and a main road.

11 H Sunday, three Taliban prisoners who said were the only ones who knew, "went for a cell to wake up people and each of them directors of the tunnel." The Taliban more were on hand as the prisoners emerged out of the dirt and dust from the tunnel to guide prisoners stunned waiting vehicles. Also on hand were Taliban fighters and suicide bombers in the case where the forces of security woke and there was a struggle.

"Fortunately we do not use them," said Mr Mujahid. "The security forces did not know until the sunrise."

Taimoor Shah reported from Kandahar and Alissa j. Rubin in Kabul, in Afghanistan.

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Cuomo helps groups to mobilize for Gay Marriage Bill

Under the supervision of the staff of the Governor, groups have the intention of gathering more than 1 million dollars for a media blitz, hire a powerful political consultant close to the Cuomo administration and deploy organizers field for legislators more than a dozen of drum support key districts, according to interviews with people involved in the effort.

Unlike their failed drive to a marriage two years ago Bill, supporters envision a short, disciplined and intense preparations for a vote in the legislature of the State, raising the prospect that homosexual couples may be authorized to sea in New York by the beginning of the summer.

Their primary objective: avoid errors and communication from 2009 errors, when those lobbying for homosexual marriage sent conflicting messages, misjudged the opposition and won fewer votes than that they had planned. After the passage of the Assembly, the Bill was defeated in the Senate, 38-24.

In part because of this defeat, defenders are uncomfortable to do predictions this time and were mainly in secret meeting. But Mr. Cuomo, who has promised a personal push to win passage of same-sex marriage this year, asked his staff members to oversee the campaign to ensure that it works very well.

In weekly meetings over the past four weeks, in the Office of the Governor in Manhattan, high-level aides to Mr. Cuomo urged repeatedly advocates communicate to legislators and the public with a single voice.

"If this is done, it is through coordination", the Governor, Steve M. Cohen, has supporters, according to those who participated in the sessions of Friday afternoon.

To this end, four influential gay rights of groups - the order of the day the pride of State of the Empire, the campaign for the rights of man, the freedom to Marry and marriage equality New York - formed a single organization called New Yorkers United for marriage.

The coalition is hiring Jennifer Cunningham, a veteran labor and media strategist, who is close to the Governor and notified its campaigns. Ms. Cunningham and his firm, SKD Knickerbocker, will oversee the coalition media campaign and political strategy.

The effort would probably include radio ads and television. Depending on how the legislation fares, groups could finally unleash a flurry of campaign literature were individual legislators, said those discussions said.

Although the work of defenders with Mrs. Cunningham, informed on the issue, people said the Cuomo administration later expressed support for the choice.

The groups intend to unveil the new coalition and consultant on Wednesday.

"Last time, he y many players, many organizations, a lot of good will, but not truly United effort has come together to work hand in hand with the Governor and legislative leaders," said Evan Wolfson, President of the freedom to Marry.

Two Democratic senators who voted against the Bill in 2009 have left, replaced by supporters of the Bill. The defenders now needs to attract six senators more to ensure its passage. Until now, they focus on legislators, Democrats and Republicans, whose voice could prove crucial about 15.

They should focus on three Democrats of New York City, which voted against the Bill, but are considered as open to switching sides: Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Shirley l. Huntley and Carl Kruger. Among the Republicans, they seek a dozen senators, including Gregory r. Ball of Putnam County, Andrew j. Lanza of Staten Island and Mark Grisanti, James s. Alesi and Roy j. McDonald, representing northern districts of the State.

As it did in 2009, Christine c. Quinn, a Cuomo ally and President of the Council of the city, which is openly gay, travelled to Albany for support. Ultimately, those involved in the campaign, said, it may fall to Mr. Cuomo deal to wavering senators.

Advocates are expressing growing optimism that Mr. Cuomo can guide a beak of marriage by the legislature. They emphasize its passage of a budget on time reducing expenditure without causing political guerrilla warfare - a modern, standards Albany miracle; the Governor historically high approval rates. and polling that shows, for the first time that a solid majority of New Yorkers support legalizing same-sex marriage.

"We have an extremely popular Governor is committed to get this done now, strong support of New Yorkers around the State and a group of supporters who are highly coordinated", said Brian Ellner, who leads the efforts of the campaign of the human rights to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.

Ross d. Levi, Executive Director of the Empire State pride agenda, said: "It's a great environment for this issue."

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