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175 DSC 11 E rev. 1 FINAL- TRANSITION IN AFGHANISTAN: ASSESSING THE SECURITY EFFORT
1. At the November 2010 Lisbon Summit NATO member states clearly re-affirmed their enduring long term commitment to a sovereign, independent, democratic, secure and stable Afghanistan. Members pledged their commitment to the Afghan people and to an Afghanistan that will never again be a safe haven for terrorists and terrorism. The Lisbon Summit Declaration underlined that the UN-mandated, NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan 'remains the Alliance's key priority', and welcomed the important progress that had been made to date. Strategically, the declaration bound the future security of the Alliance with the future security of Afghanistan by asserting 'Afghanistan's security is directly linked to our own security', whilst welcoming the valuable and increased contributions made by ISAF partners.1
3. NATO's senior leadership has been adamant that transitions will be based on conditions on the ground rather than driven by any political calendar or deadline, following joint Afghan and NATO/ISAF assessment and decision. Looking toward the end of 2014, member states expressed their intent that Afghan forces will assume full responsibility for security across the whole of Afghanistan. After transition, NATO forces are slated to remain in a supporting role.4
4. The killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden has fed into a reassessment in many NATO capitals regarding how rapidly withdrawals from Afghanistan could and should occur. The June 2011 speech by US President Obama, in which he announced the phased withdrawal of previously 'surged' US troops, has increased focus on the transition strategy and the ability of the Afghans to provide their own security and governance within the 2014 timeframe. It has also prompted other NATO member states to announce their own withdrawal/end of combat mission dates. It should be noted that, for all the strategic and political repercussions of bin Laden's death, the event has had little impact on day to day operations in Afghanistan itself.
5. This discussion also occurs in the context of continued insecurity in Afghanistan, as 2010 was the most lethal year for both Afghan civilians and NATO personnel and the first six months of 2011 have been the most lethal for Afghan civilians since this conflict began.5 Recent data collected by the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office (ANSO) suggests that total insurgent attacks between January and March 2011 have soared 51% higher than last year. The increase in the number of attacks between seasons is also higher than the same period in 2010. March 2011 saw 1,102 attacks, averaging 35 per day, even surpassing the August 2009 peak surrounding the Presidential elections.6 The deliberate targeting by the insurgency of high-profile Afghan officials involved in the transition process also presents a significant challenge.
6. Given these developments, this report, prepared for the NATO Parliamentary Assembly's Defence and Security Committee, differs significantly from a previous draft presented to the Committee in May. It is intended to assess, insofar as possible given the resources at our disposal, the evolution of the security situation in Afghanistan. It is deliberately limited in scope in that reports by the other Committees of the Assembly are treating other critical areas such as governance, development, and the role of neighbouring countries.
7. This report will cover the issues that most clearly occupy the realm of security. Thus the elements of ISAF strategy that are covered include: the ongoing military operations and their impact on the enemy and on the establishment of zones of stability; efforts to continue to develop the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), principally through the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A), as well as standing up local security forces; the ongoing controversy of the role of private security companies; and efforts to address the narcotics problem.
8. One key judgment should be made clear at the outset: the results of the surge of troops that flowed into Afghanistan between December 2009 and November 2010 remain open to interpretation. While important security gains have indubitably been made in the South and Southwest of the country, and despite the impressive progress of the Afghan security forces, insecurity remains pervasive enough to suggest that sustained effort will remain necessary if gains are to be consolidated. To put it more succinctly, the hard-won progress gained by international forces on behalf of the Afghan people and our own populations is real; but it remains fragile.
9. In 2010-2011, the Afghanistan campaign was waged largely based on counter-insurgency strategy (COIN). Buoyed by a 'surge' of more than 30,000 troops completed in November 2010, ISAF and ANSF forces launched combat operations to clear and hold more locations across Afghanistan. Largely as a result of these operations, and as expected by military planners7, there was an upsurge in violence in 2010 as the more numerous international forces spread into more areas and thus came more frequently into direct contact with insurgents.8 An outline of the strategic plan facilitated by these operations is found below; the sections which follow afterwards provide an overview of the locations of major ISAF/ANSF operations and an assessment of the current security situation in these areas.
10. The ISAF campaign strategy focuses on three main efforts:9
11. Central to this COIN strategy is the conditions-based transition of security responsibility to ANSF. In September 2010, the Joint Afghan-NATO Inteqal Board (JANIB) met for the first time to discuss transition.10 In March 2011, the first output from the JANIB outlined the prospects for beginning transition in some areas this year.11 This was a joint agreement between NATO and the Afghan leadership, involving the respective chains of command, with the final decision made by President Karzai. General Petraeus, former COMISAF, highlighted that "this is a process, not a single event" and that there are various stages to successful transition.12
12. As of June 2011, there were approximately 90,000 US Forces and approximately 42,381 international forces in Afghanistan.13 The 30,000 US personnel increase that arrived in 2010 was comprised of three separate force packages, each built to provide specific capabilities essential to achieving the main goals of the campaign plan, particularly in Regional Command South (RCSouth) and Regional Command East (RC-East). The US force surge was completed in November 2010. Moreover, NATO welcomed force pledges from 40 countries in a range of capabilities including operations, tactics, and training. ISAF received pledges of 9,700 additional personnel from NATO and non-NATO partners since President's Obama's December 2009 speech and General Petraeus said that, overall, ISAF had the inputs right.14
13. The ISAF concept of operations is depicted in Figure 1. The main operational effort remains focused on the Central Helmand River Valley, where comprehensive civil-military efforts are aimed at bringing improved governance, development and security to the more than 500,000 Afghans living in these six districts.
15. RC- East assessment
16. Regional Command – South (RC-South)
17. RC-South assessment
18. However, a recent spate of assassinations, suicide bombings and attacks has raised concerns about a change of tactics amongst insurgents in this area, whose conventional capabilities have been significantly weakened by ISAF efforts.31 The victims of these targeted attacks have included President Karazai's brother, Ahmed Wali, who was the key power broker in Kandahar city and was reportedly assisting the allies with their efforts to negotiate a political settlement with the Taliban.32
19. Regional Command – Southwest (RC-Southwest)
20. The main effort for RC-Southwest, and indeed ISAF, still remains operation Moshtarak in the Central Helmand River Valley. This operation has sought to extend the authority of the Afghan Government to the previously ungoverned Nad-e-Ali District, including the town of Marjah. Operations were conducted in 2010-2011 to clear areas, capture and kill insurgents and support development and legitimate governance in this area. Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (CIED) operations were also conducted in northern Helmand. RC-Southwest implemented measures to counter the movement of illicit materials and drugs with interdiction operations resulting in the destruction of illicit drugs valued at approximately US$135 million. RC-Southwest partners ANSF on approximately 77% of all its operations, of which 8% had Afghan Forces in the lead.34
21. RC-Southwest assessment
22. Regional Command West – (RC-West)
23. Regional Command – North (RC-North)
25. Commanders report that RC-North has traditionally been among the most secure in the country51 and progress has been made in the last 12 months. Unfortunately, a December 2010 poll found that northern Afghans believed their living conditions were worsening markedly and Taliban activity was increasing.52 Commanders were concerned about losing momentum and preventing a return of the insurgency to these cleared areas during spring/summer 2011.53 The biggest remaining challenges are to ensure that recent gains are sustained and expanded in the Baghlan-Kunduz corridor, a vital effort to encourage the local population to support the government and security forces.54
26. Regional Command – Capital (RC-Capital)
27. RC-Capital assessment
28. Figure 2 shows the regional command structure of the ISAF operation in relation to the Afghan provinces and usefully portrays the evolution of the security situation in these RC's. As indicated, since the implementation of the surge, overall progress in improving the wider security situation in Afghanistan has been slow. Figure 2 also shows how insecure RCs South and Southwest remain despite the improvements over the last year. While there have been localised tactical successes in delivering security, as yet these have failed to deliver strategic results.59
29. There remain significant and widespread challenges to both security and governance in many areas. The insurgency continues to retain momentum in certain areas and is targeting high profile non-military targets, such as hospitals, hotels and high level officials.60 Violence between March and September 2010 was at its highest ever rate with insurgent attacks increasing nearly 55% over the previous quarter and by 65% compared to the third quarter of 2009.61 There have also been over 25 attacks by ANSF or ANSF impersonators on NATO soldiers and Afghan officials over the last two years.62
30. Military planners have long suggested that the insurgency's activity in summer 2011 would be an indicator of its continuing capability.63 Unfortunately, early evidence seems to indicate that such attacks have continued at an alarming rate throughout the summer fighting season. May 2011 was one of the most violent months on record, with 1,571 insurgent attacks launched. June 2011 showed only a 2% reduction on this figure.64 May was also the deadliest month for Afghan civilians on record, with 368 being killed according to the United Nations (of these, 82% of the casualties were caused by the insurgency and 12% by NATO forces).65
31. As outlined in last year's Defence and Security Committee General Report on 'Preparing the Afghan National Security Forces for Transition', progress with the NATO Training Mission in Afghanistan (NTM-A) was the ISAF success story of 2010. The following paragraphs provide an update on this progress, on targets for 2011, and outline the remaining challenges for the training mission.
32. As of March 2011, ANSF numbers sat at almost 285,000, representing Afghan army strength of 159,363 and Afghan National Police at over 125,589. The 92,000 more Afghan soldiers and police represents an over 42% expansion of the ANSF between November 2009 and March 2011, including an over 57% increase in the size of the ANA alone over during this period. It is currently projected that by October 2011 total ANSF numbers will reach 305,000.66 This will be facilitated by the fact that 58,000 police and soldiers are in training everyday at present. As of July 2011, evidence suggests that ANSF numbers will be increased to around 352,000 by summer 2012.67
33. There has also been good progress in improving the quality of the ANSF. Literacy is critical for developing leaders and sustaining equipment. Over the last year there has been a successful drive to increase literacy in the ANSF. In 2008 literacy rates were 14%; currently 85% of ANSF recruits now have basic literacy when leaving training.68 Between March 2010 and March 2011 there has been a 136% increase in ANSF personnel in literacy training.69 Moreover, 80% of the police and 95% of the army now receive their pay via electronic funds transfer, greatly reducing the opportunities for corruption, and both the police and army are now paid a living wage that meets or exceeds the national standard of living.
34. Focus has also been placed on properly equipping the ANSF. US$7,7 billion has been invested in Afghan equipment since November 2009. Army and police forces are now equipped with quality weapons, tactical gear and technical equipment, including radios, biometric devices and protective wear. All ANSF boots and uniforms are now made in Afghanistan, creating indigenous industrial capability. With a further US$4,9 billion to be spent on equipment, officials suggest that advances in literacy should overlap to ensure correct stewardship of equipment and protection of this investment.70
35. Progress has also been made in improving the trainer-recruit ratio. NTM-A is now at 73% of manning requirements, up from 25% one year ago. ANA instructor ratios in basic training have jumped from 1:79 to 1:29 during this period. Initiatives have also been introduced to improve the quality of life of the ANSF, such as better food, rotation of operational units and individual leave packages. Such initiatives help improve manpower figures by attracting new recruits and retaining those in the forces, as does greater emphasis on personnel accountability within the ANA. At present, 74% of those completing their two-year contracts sign up for further service.71 NATO officials have consistently urged nations whose combat forces are relieved by the transition process to re-invest their efforts by allocating their resources to the training mission. NTM-A recently warned a visiting Assembly delegation of a prospective shortfall of 470 trainers in March 2012, and a continuing shortfall of 450 Police Operational Mentoring and Liaison Teams.
36. "The NATO Air Training Command-Afghanistan (NATC-A) is an NTM-A/CSTC-A organisation that builds air power in Afghanistan along four lines of operation: aircraft build; airmen build; infrastructure build; and operational capability. The institutional development of the Afghan Air Force (AAF) integrates these four lines of operation by building a professional, self-sustaining institution". In January 2011 the AAF had 56 aircraft, or approximately 38% of the planned build of 146 aircraft. Personnel strength was approximately 4,728 airmen in March 2011. This total increased by 1,239 personnel over the March 2010 strength of 3,389 personnel, a gain of almost 40%.72
37. The NTM-A realises that growth alone will not set the conditions for irreversible transition. It has therefore set out its main priority for 2011 as training Afghan trainers and instructors. The development of quality Afghan trainers and instructors, who are capable of leading and training their force and eventually assuming responsibility for training are the essential building block for institutional self reliance and eventual transition. The development of a quality train-the-trainer system in 2011 will underpin efforts to create a self generating and self sustaining ANSF.73
38. The other four critical areas to be developed in 2011 are: accelerated leader development, continued building of literacy and vocational skills, inculcation of an ethos of stewardship and the development of enduring institutions, systems and enablers. To rapidly overcome leadership shortfalls in the ANA and ANP, and to create professional Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers, new officer candidate schools will come on stream in spring 2011 to train both ANSF branches' new leaders. In literacy, the NTM-A aims to have 100,000 ANSF in training by fall 2011 and the focus is now on continuing literacy development and building of vocational skills such as logistics, communications and engineering, amongst others. The inculcation of good stewardship within the ANSF involves imbuing the importance of responsibility, accountability and maintenance at all levels of training and education. Finally, security institution capacity building will underpin and support progress made within ANSF through developing strategic planning, budgeting and resourcing, and improving the national level systems necessary to sustain the Afghan security forces.74
39. Attrition is probably the most fundamental obstacle to the NTM-A mission. In July and August 2010, consistent with the seasonal violence trends, attrition rates increased above the monthly average, to 3% and 2,4%, respectively. As of May 2011 they were still too high, at 2,3%, or about 30% a year.75 If the levels of attrition seen throughout the last five months continue, it is assessed there is a 'significant risk' to the ANA growth target for October 2011.76 Despite the initiatives outlined above, progress is slow and attrition has not declined fast enough, but it has trended downward of late. Attrition needs to be steady below 2% for the ANA to reach its manpower targets. The ANP has an acceptable annual attrition rate of 18% as of June 2011.77
40. While careful attention is being paid to the ethnic composition of the ANA in particular, success in recruiting southern Pashtuns has so far proved elusive. Forty four per cent of the population of Afghanistan are Pashtuns, a figure reflected in the composition of the army. However, only 3% of soldiers are southern Pashtuns. With more targeted recruitment and 2010's gains in central Helmand, there have been some improvements in the recruitment of southern Pashtuns, but more needs to be done to ensure ethnic balance. Of note, in March 2011, 201 southern Pashtuns were recruited into the ANA, a slight decrease from February, and representing 80% of the monthly target.78 The ethnic make-up of the ANSF has serious implications not only for its credibility across the whole of Afghanistan, but also in determining where its loyalty lies. Moreover, retirement schemes for senior officers have been introduced to help enable more professional and less patriarchal army leaders to reach senior positions.
41. The long term sustainability of the NTM-A and the ANSF post-transition is another concern. Currently, the NTM-A receives over US$1 billion per month from the United States of America and US$400 million from the NATO Alliance. However, when seen against total expenditure in Afghanistan of over US$110 billion per annum, the NTM-A cost tag is relatively small. Commander NTM-A also predicts that a full strength ANSF will cost between US$6-8 billion per annum to sustain post transition. Given the fact that Afghan annual GDP is estimated at US$15,51 billion,79 there are obvious concerns about the ability of the Afghans to sustain the ANSF without massive continued economic support from NATO member states post-transition.
42. In September 2010 the Afghan Local Police Initiative replaced other various indigenous local Afghan security programmes, most the Afghan Public Protection Force.80 This had been a relatively successful trial programme using local militias to provide security in Wardak province. The ALP Initiative is a temporary (two to five year) village-focused programme that complements COIN efforts and Village Stability Operations by targeting selected areas with limited to no ANSF presence to shape conditions for improved security, governance, and development. Thus, the ALP supports ISAF efforts by further expanding and extending security and stability through village stability operations in remote areas. The Afghan Ministry of Interior subsequently identified 68 locations for ALP elements of 250-350 personnel and stood up the first eight sites in September 2010.81
43. The ALP Initiative allows for transition of its eligible personnel to regular ANSF or other forms of employment. Therefore, the Initiative does not detract from ANSF growth, but helps close a gap in security coverage. ALP personnel trained and organised into village watch teams and supported by ISAF Special Operations Forces, will serve as an early warning and initial village defence element against insurgent activity. The ALP does not count toward approved ANP endstrength. As of April 2011, there were 34 validated/operational districts, 29 districts pending validation, and 14 pending approval for ALP elements. The projected total number of ALP is foreseen to be in the region of 30,000.82
44. At present, more time is needed to accurately assess the viability and effectiveness of the ALP Initiative. NATO has stated that numerous control measures will be implemented to mitigate Afghan Government concerns that this effort does not reconstitute the warlords' militias that once terrorized Afghanistan, exacerbate tribal or ethnic imbalances, or undermine the authority of the state. However, recent anecdotal evidence suggests that this is indeed happening in the some areas where ALP forces have been rolled out, and that locals often believe they are no better than the Taliban.83 Ultimately, the Initiative's reliance on a tribal strategy can only succeed as part of a nation-wide Afghan ownership of security and it must be seen in this context.84
45. There is growing evidence that the 2010 campaign waged across Afghanistan against mid and top level insurgent commanders has largely been successful. As these operations have been conducted by a combination of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and conventional ground forces, much data remains classified. However, according to military commanders, 2010 has been the insurgency's worst year since 2001-2002. Enabled by good intelligence, the tempo of SOF and ground force operations have been greatly increased over the last year. In 2010, a tripling in the number of raids resulted in the killing of more than 1,200 insurgents, including some 300 thought to hold leadership roles, according to ISAF.85 There were 1,600 ISAF SOF operations launched in the first three months of 2011, an average of 18 a night, and almost 3,000 insurgents were captured or killed in these raids.86 It appears these operations have had a significant impact on insurgent capability. General Petraeus has stated that "the momentum of the Taliban has been halted in much of the country and reversed in some important areas."87
46. In southern Afghanistan, fighters have been eliminated in "industrial numbers" convincing both ISAF and indigenous Afghan officials "that the initiative has really shifted."88 This increased focus on killing or capturing mid-level insurgent commanders and degrading insurgent groups also appears to have borne results in RC-Southwest and RC-East.89 Although militarily confident, officials still caution that a failure in Afghan governance could fracture these extensive gains. The biggest point of potential failure is if the Kabul Government stunts governance at the periphery. Thus, lack of credible local governance alternatives to the insurgency is still hampering the reintegration programme in many areas.
47. Keeping extended pressure on the insurgency is a key tenet of the COIN strategy which seeks to separate reconcilable fighters from the hardliners. In June 2010 a Peace Jirga gave President Karzai the mandate to pursue peace negotiations to end the conflict. Re-conciliation and re-integration efforts have been undertaken by the Afghanistan Peace and ReIntegration Programme, steered by a national-level High Peace Council. While there is some evidence to suggest that these efforts have delivered local successes, to date there has been only "modest" momentum in persuading insurgent fighters to quit and re-integrate, according to General Petraeus.90
48. The insurgency consists of a number of actors. The Haqqani Network is a strong, triballybased group led by Sarajudin Haqqani in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and eastern Afghanistan. Traditionally considered a client of Pakistan's intelligence services, and host to al-Qaeda, the Haqqani Network is the most ideologically committed group facing ISAF forces in Afghanistan. They also remain ideologically close to al-Qaeda and therefore represent the largest insurgent group least open to Kabul's peace initiatives.91 The Haqqani network has developed ties with the Tehrik-I-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) federation of insurgent groups that is aligned against the Pakistani government and its recent counter insurgency efforts in FATA. The TTP are currently assessed to be another of the "irreconcilables" by analysts.92 The same applies to the originally Pakistani-sponsored LashkareTaibi (LeT), the group responsible for the Mumbai attacks of November 2008, who also operate in the Afghanistan and Pakistan region.93
49. Gulbuddin Hekmatyar's Hezb-I-Islami Gulbuddin (HiG) is perhaps the least significant of Afghanistan's major insurgent groups.94 HiG has previously had ties with the Taliban, al-Qaeda and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).95 Its main area of operation is in northeastern Afghanistan, such as the provinces of Kunar, Laghman and Paktia. While it is unlikely that Hekmatyar himself could ever serve in the Afghan government, his organisation remains the insurgent group believed to be the most open to eventual reconciliation with Kabul. This is supported by evidence that Hekmatyar has previously issued statements conducive to possible negotiations with the Afghan government,96 that he may have links with Hizb-I-Islami Afghanistan (HiA) party members in the Kabul government97 and that some HiG members have already defected.98
50. Criminal networks involved in drugs smuggling, kidnapping and illicit mining also exist, as do "accidental guerrilla" local actors. In theory, both these broad and disparate groups could be reconciled given the right initiatives at local level. The same goes for the warlords and corrupt officials whose primary goal is to maintain their localised power bases. As outlined above, there are some prospects for reconciliation, but these remain hampered by the lack of cohesion amongst the insurgents, their differing ideological standpoints and their sponsors. As one commentator has observed, the Afghans are "perfectly comfortable fighting whilst talking".99 Buoyed by the statement of a drawdown date beginning in July, most groups appear to be content to sit on the fence for the moment.100
51. Drone strikes, both as ISAF missions within Afghanistan and as unilateral missions in the Afghan-Pakistani border regions, have also caused significant attrition to insurgent and terrorist cells operating in these areas. According to one estimate, the number of CIA armed drone missions in Pakistan's tribal regions doubled between 2009 and 2010, to 100 combat flights.101 Owing to the classified nature of data and different metrics, exact numbers of insurgents killed and the ratio of insurgent kills to civilian deaths remain hotly debated, but around a 65:35 ratio has been suggested by experienced commentators.102 Strong anecdotal evidence suggests that while there have been undoubtedly many collateral damage incidents, these missions do have a direct impact on terrorist plots against NATO members.103 While the role of drones in Afghanistan differs somewhat due to the more conventional nature of fighting there, they have also been successful in eliminating insurgent and terrorist commanders, with estimates putting al-Qaeda numbers at only 50-100 in the country at present.104
52. In keeping with the Kabul government's desire to reform both western and indigenous private security companies (PSCs) operating in Afghanistan, President Karzai stated he would be disbanding all private security companies' operations within four months of his August 2010 decree.105 Amidst the international clamour and uncertainty this created, not least due to the vital role the 50,000 PSC guards play in maintaining Afghan security, immediate disbandment was shelved in favour of an investigation into PSC operations. This Afghan government probe accused 16 firms of violations that include employing too many guards, failing to pay taxes for up to two years, and keeping unregistered weapons and armoured vehicles.
53. While NATO member states generally support Karzai's intentions, they depend on private guards to perform tasks that would otherwise be given to military units. Therefore, there has been an effort to negotiate concessions to keep private guards at their embassies and military bases, as well as guard foreign-funded development projects including roads and power plants. Thus, the major concern has been over the pace and extent of disbandment rather than the process itself.106
54. In February 2011 the international community and the Government of Afghanistan agreed a twelve month bridging strategy in relation to the reform of PSC operations. This strategy allows for the continued use of PSCs for one year, while concurrently developing the capabilities and capacity of the Ministry of Interior's Afghan Public Protection Force (APPF) whilst reducing, but not eliminating, the role of PSCs in providing Afghan security.107 A training facility for the APPF intended to process 1,000 guards per month is currently under construction.108
55. Reports suggest the agreement will allow embassy and base security to remain a western PSC responsibility. Further, development projects will continue to be allowed to contract for private guards and security services indefinitely. Under the new plan, reconstruction projects will be permitted to have 500 of their own guards, or up to 1,000 if they pay a one-off fine. For contracts requiring greater numbers of guards, the companies will be expected to recruit, train, arm and pay new APPF guards and will then take control of the contract after 12 months. If the APPF proves unable to discharge its responsibilities, the private company would remain in control.109
56. ISAF counter-narcotic strategy has two main goals: "1) counter the link between narcotics and the insurgency and significantly reduce the support the insurgency receives from the narcotics industry; and 2) address the narcotics-corruption-insurgency nexus and reinforce the government of Afghanistan."110 At the tactical level this strategy holds that ISAF, partnered with ANSF forces, ignore poppy farmers and small suppliers and target large scale traffickers. This is seen as a key tenet of the population-centric COIN strategy currently being employed. In the RCSouth and RCSouthwest, where poppy cultivation, trafficking and the insurgency are strongest, ISAF focus has remained on military efforts.
57. United Nations authorities are forecasting a slight reduction in overall opium cultivation in Afghanistan for 2011, with a strong increase in the north and northeast offset by decreases in Helmand and Kandahar provinces, which have benefited from the Governor Led Eradication programme.111 Total opium yield and opium produced figures actually fell by almost 50% in 2010, but this decline resulted primarily from disease rather than decreases in cultivation, and has actually driven prices up, leading to the increased cultivation seen in the north and north eastern provinces.112
58. An earlier United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) report also found that "the statistical association between poor security and poppy cultivation was strong. Almost all villages with very poor security and most villages with poor security were cultivating poppies. In general, villages in insecure areas had a high probability of cultivating poppies, and villages in areas with good security were less likely to have poppy cultivation. Security was of general concern in most areas in the Southern region (Helmand, Uruzgan and Kandahar). In the Western region Badghis, Nimroz and Farah provinces had also poor security conditions.113
59. Afghan National Security Forces, with support from ISAF, seized over 49,000kg of opium, heroin and morphine between September 2010 and March 2011.114 During this period, ISAF continued to expand its capacity and improve its targeting support. It is fully operational and continues to provide support for law enforcement investigations and military operations by analyzing key trafficking networks. To disable the networks' resiliency, ISAF targets network functions – safe havens, movement, communications and finance – rather than only individuals. These efforts are sorely needed. To put the above figures into perspective, it was estimated that 750,000kg of wet, unrefined opium pitch left insurgent controlled areas in 2008. As yet, ISAF has been unable to determine the exact financial benefit of drug trafficking for the insurgency, but total insurgent annual revenues from the narcotics trade are estimated to be in the region of US$ 430 million.115
60. Making a definitive assessment of a situation as complex as the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan is extraordinarily difficult. The following paragraphs will recapitulate what your Rapporteur sees as the most important indicators of progress at this time.
61. The advancement of the military campaign between early 2010 and mid 2011 was clear: definite, visible tactical successes were achieved in the areas of Afghanistan that ISAF and US forces have concentrated on, through intensive military-civilian effort and a high expenditure of blood and treasure.
62. For example, the central Helmand towns of Nawa, Garmsir, Lashkar Gar, Nad-e-Ali and Marjah, benefiting from focused efforts, are now relatively secure; governance and development efforts have also made progress in these areas. Military success was also visible in the traditional heartland of the Taliban, the Kandahar districts of Panjwai, Zhari and Arghandab, where former insurgent areas have been cleared and held after heavy fighting, handing the Taliban a string of tactical defeats.
63. The insurgency has been defeated tactically and operationally where it has fought ISAF ground forces, suffering severe losses. Importantly, coalition special forces raids and drone attacks have reduced the ranks of mid-level insurgent leaders.
64. Equally significant is the fact that efforts to train and equip the Afghan National Security Forces during this period have continued to bear fruit, largely thanks to the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan. Notwithstanding attrition, ANSF numbers are due to hit 305,000 in October 2011, and are to increase to a goal of 352,000. The quality of new recruits is improving, especially in literacy, as is their equipment. The Afghan Air Force has also continued to grow in capability. The number of trainers in relation to Afghan forces has been vastly increased. While Afghan forces are not yet self-sufficient, they are more frequently leading effective responses to security incidents.
65. Counter-narcotics efforts have continued, with poppy cultivation decreasing marginally across Afghanistan in 2010 and in the first six months of 2011. Seizures of narcotics almost doubled between September 2010 and March 2011, even if progress in developing Afghan counter-narcotic capability continues to be a challenge.
66. The progress achieved in the areas outlined above has been challenged on several counts. Conventional battlefield successes against the insurgency have pushed it towards new tactics, including attacks against high-profile Afghan officials and symbols of the international community. Progress in establishing zones of security has not been sufficiently matched by the provision of services by Afghan officials to local populations. Key elements of the insurgency continue to benefit from safe havens that allow for planning and replenishment of its efforts.
67. On the home front, contributing nations are looking forward to an eventual conclusion of the operation. Since the previous draft of this report, several strategically significant announcements have been made about the eventual withdrawal of national contingents from the Afghan campaign. In June 2011, President Obama outlined the phased withdrawal of the over 30,000 'surge' of U.S troops he had ordered to Afghanistan, with 10,000 troops withdrawn by the end of 2011 and another 23,000 by September 2012. In 2010, the Netherlands ended its combat mission and withdrew most of its 1,900 troops. Canada's 3,000 troops ended their combat mission in Kandahar in July, though many of these were reinvested into the training mission. The German Parliament voted in January to begin withdrawing its 4,900 soldiers by the end of 2011, marking the first time that ISAF's third largest contributor set a time frame for bringing its soldiers home. Britain, which has the second-largest contingent with 9,500 troops, is withdrawing 450 troops by the end of 2011 and another 500 in 2012.116 The British have also stated that they will withdraw all combat troops by 2015. France is withdrawing 1,000 of its 4,000 troops by the end of 2012.117 Poland has stated it will bring its 2,600 troops home by 2014. Belgium has said it will halve its 600 strong contingent in Afghanistan in early 2012.118
68. There is also legitimate concern about diminishing support amongst the local Afghan population for the ISAF presence in Afghanistan, a dynamic made worse by incidents of civilian casualties and events (such as the burning of the Koran by a fundamentalist US pastor) that are skilfully exploited by the Taliban for propaganda purposes.
69. Clearly, those hoping that the 'surge' of troops that began over one year ago would serve as a panacea for the problems of Afghanistan may consider themselves disappointed. Indeed, even the advocates of the surge would concede that what progress has been made is fragile and reversible.
70. However, despite these challenges, the context of NATO's engagement and the overall gains made thus far should not be forgotten. To name only a few, it is by any measure significant that a decade ago only 9% of Afghans had access to basic medical care; today that figure is close to 85%. Under the Taliban, one million children were in school; today this figure is seven million, a third of whom are girls.119 Afghanistan also has developed a vibrant and free media sector; and more than five million Afghan refugees have returned home.
71. The Alliance's ongoing engagement is not only a major contributor to Afghanistan's past and future success but also a requirement for the security of NATO's member states. Indeed, the need to prevent Afghanistan from ever again becoming a haven for international terrorism has not diminished. This underlines the importance of ensuring that the transition process unfolds based on assessment of the conditions on the ground rather than the political imperatives in troop contributing nations; even if the killing of Osama bin Laden allowed a senior US official to see the strategic defeat of al-Qaeda "within reach",120 the relationship between the ability of the United States of America and its allies to kill or capture senior al-Qaeda leaders on the one hand, and the readiness of the Afghan domestic security situation for transition on the other, remains ill defined.
72. Looking forward, in President Karzai's long-term vision, the Alliance's continued efforts are supporting his country's transition towards a "stable, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan" that will lift its "people from poverty to prosperity and from insecurity to stability".121 The Afghanistan of the future could become a nexus of regional economic cooperation, fully participating in the international community based on the rights and obligations of a 21st century state.122
73. Alliance members should ensure that the Afghan people are able to continue building on the fragile but very real gains made in Afghanistan, through steadfast partnership, including a deliberate, well-planned and commonly executed conclusion to combat operations when appropriate. The sacrifices we have endured collectively, and the progress these sacrifices have achieved, demand no less.


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Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR), a technology invented in the 1950s has allowed financial institutions to streamline their check processing. The characters are printed with special MICR Fonts and are known as MICR Characters, which must be printed with MICR Toner or MICR Ink. It is the combination of Toner and Fonts that create the machine readable MICR line. MICR Toner or MICR Ink are the elements which add the magnetic readability to each character, allowing for high-speed check clearing. Producers of MICR-encoded documents must meet ANSI document preparation standards.
For more information about the check clearing process in the United States visit the Federal Reserve site www.federalreserve.gov
The E-13B Font looks like this:
Currently, this font or MICR Character set is used in the United States of America, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Mexico, Colombia, and Turkey.
Where did the name E13-B come from?
E: signifies that it was the 5th version of the font considered.
B: signifies that it was the second revision of that font.
13: references the fact that the MICR font is constructed on a .013" module for stroke and character width.
The CMC-7 Font looks like this:
Currently this font or MICR Character set is used in France, Spain, Israel, South America (except Colombia) and other Mediterranean Countries.
This line consists of ten specially designed numbers (0 through 9) and four special symbols (Transit, Amount, On-Us, and Dash). The combination of characters and numbers provide the check, routing, and account numbers on a check. They can also provide the check amount.
Read from right to left Positions 1 through 12 host the Amount Field; Positions 13 through 32 host the On-Us Field; Positions 33 through 43 host the Transit Field; Positions 45 up to as many digits that will fit the size of the check host the Aux On-Us Field.
Though important, MICR is only one element of the check printing process. To receive the most accurate MICR line it is encouraged that printer specific MICR fonts are used. When using a printer agnostic MICR font, the MICR line could cause issues with banks and MICR readers. More information can be fount at the following websites:
MICR Toner is a specialty toner which provides the magnetic charge, allowing the MICR line to be read. MICR Toner is placed into a laser printer when you need to print checks. In many cases the MICR Toner can be used in your current laser printer, but in some cases the laser printer settings must be reconfigured in order to print MICR documents that meet banking specifications.
As inkjet printers become more popular so does the need for MICR ink. MICR ink is applied as an ink base solution. MICR ink carries similar features to MICR toner. MICR ink is a perfect MICR solution for mobile check printing. The typical inkjet printer is smaller in size when compared to a LaserJet printer. This allows for on the go check printing options for MICR ink.
MICR Toner can be found in an original or remanufactured cartridge. Cartridges are designed for a single use. Reusing can comprise the quality and output of a cartridge. Remanufactured toner cartridges can be known to cause toner streaks down the side of checks after a few prints. Take a look at some statistics provided by HP. Using OEM cartridges for MICR check printing not only provides the highest readability, but they also do not void your HP warranty. Remanufactured toner cartridges void HP's printer warranty. While you may pay a little more for OEM MICR toner, the quality and the reliability is priceless.
MICR Printers can be viewed two ways, first as a printing company who is producing personal check books, and second as a special desktop printer from which MICR documents can be produced. This definition will reference the second use of the term.
A MICR Printer is a printing device which provides the ability to print a magnetically charged set of characters on the bottom of a check, also known as MICR fonts. MICR Printers can be as simple as an off-the-shelf laser printer with an embedded MICR font, or a customized printer with numerous security features. Some MICR Printers can use both standard (non-magnetic) and MICR Toner, while others use only MICR Toner. By using a MICR printer you are eliminating the need for preprinted check stock. Not only does this save up to .10 per check, but it also eliminates the need for chain of custody around check stock. Additional features may include locking trays, toner sensing, MICR character positioning, and disable jam recovery. Visit our HP based MICR printers page for more information. To learn more about standard HP printers visit www.hp.com.
In the United States, ANSI paper specifications mandate a minimum basis weight of 20 lbs. (short grain documents) and a basis weight of 24 lbs. (+/- 5%) for long-grain documents. Grain long documents provide higher strength and stiffness properties for the check during printing and reading. Paper smoothness (Sheffield) should be between 50 and 200 for all laser printed checks Actual check width must be at least 6.00" and not more than 8.75". Check height must be at least 2.75" and not more than 3.66".
For information regarding paper recommendation and standards visit: http://x9.org/standards/standards-store/
A technology that is over 50 years old still holds value in today's market. The MICR Technology which we utilize today was invented in the 1950's as a way to increase productivity of check processing.
When computers started to become part of the business world; committees of bank employees, machine manufacturers, and check processors grouped together to provide suggested ways to create automation in the check processing departments. Prior to the formation of the committees, two different check processing methods were used.
The two check processing methods were Sort-A-Matic and Top Tab Key Sort. The Sort-A-Matic process was made up of 100 dividers numbered 0 through 99 and each divider was composed of either metal or leather. The Sort-A-Matic process sorted checks through a stepped or phased process. After reviewing the first two numbers of the account, the checks were placed into a divider. Then they were grouped by the second two numbers of the account and so forth, until the checks were in numerical order by account number.
The Top Tab Key Sort was a slightly different process. This system used a technology which required holes to be punched in the top of each check indicating the ones, tens and hundreds digits. When it was time to sort the checks a metal key was inserted into the checks separating them by the corresponding holes until they were put into numerical order by account number.
Each of these systems was time consuming and became outdated as the number of checks began to increase. When the opportunity to utilize computers evolved, it was an obvious choice to further automate the process; that solution evolved into MICR printing technology utilizing the E-13B font and CMC-7 fonts.
Today's MICR Technology provides banks with the ability to use computer technology to process checks at a rate faster than the previous methods. It also includes guidelines to ensure production of consistently readable MICR characters.
Some key components of the MICR line are as follows:
MICR Clear Band: Only MICR characters are allowed in this area. No extraneous toner or other magnetic material is allowed on the front or back.
MICR Character Skew: Less than 1.5 degrees
Character Print Quality: Good, with no voids or breaks and no visual fading across the page
Correct Data: Numbers and symbols should be correct and in correct positions
Symbols which include the transit, amount, on us and dash tell the machine what the numbers symbolize. For more information regarding positioning of the MICR line visit
Information Provided by:
MICR is a technology which uses magnetically charged
ink or toner to print the numbers and special characters
on the bottom of checks or other financial documents.
TROY produces MICR
toner with the tightest tolerances
allowing them to consistently meet or exceed the
yield of your OEM cartridges. To learn more about
the history of MICR and TROY click

subset: commoncrawl


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Course Director
Robert Applegate, MD, FSCAIProfessor of Cardiology Wake Forest University School of MedicineWinston-Salem, NC
Target Audience
This program is targeted to physicians and fellows-in-training and will offer didactic education on basic knowledge, potential complications, and treatment options for high risk PCI patients based on the latest information and best practices in this growing area of interventional cardiovascular medicine.
Learning Objectives
The High Risk PCI course is designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of high risk PCI through the following learning objectives:
Content Validation Statement
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions accepts the following Content Validation Statements and expects all persons involved in its professional education activities to abide by these statements with regard to any recommendations for clinical care.
All recommendations involving clinical medicine are based on evidence accepted within the profession of medicine as adequate justification for their indications and contradictions in the care of patients; AND/OR: All scientific research referred to or reported in support or justification of a patient care recommendation conforms to generally accepted standards of experimental design, data collection, and analysis.
Faculty Disclosures
Disclosure Statement
As a provider of continuing education through the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the Society's policy to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its programs. All participating faculty, course directors, and planning committee members are required to disclose to SCAI any financial relationships related to the subject matter of the program or committee in which they are participating. Disclosure information is reviewed in advance in order to manage and resolve any possible conflicts of interest. The intent of the disclosure is not to prevent the planner or presenter from being involved in the activity, but rather to provide participants with information on which they can make their own judgments.
Commercial Support
This program is supported by educational grants from Abiomed.
Click here to return to the High Risk PCI Curriculum


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- Guidelines |
- Licensed Resources |
- Free Resources |
- Linking to Canvas |
- Copyright Information |
- Other UNH Resources
The UNH Library can help facilitate the streaming of films for UNH courses. We will purchase rights to stream films whenever possible as requested to support teaching. However, it is not always possible to acquire permission or licenses for every film.
- Streaming rights are expensive; please limit your requests to films that are required viewing. Requests for online courses have first priority.
- Please provide us with at least one month of lead time. It is difficult for us to fill requests made with short notice. Streaming rights often present more acquisition and access challenges than traditional physical formats.
- If there is a subject that you'd like streaming videos for, but you don't have a specific title in mind, contact us and we will do our best to help you find available resources.
- Send your requests to the Multimedia Center and provide course name and number as well as the semester they will be needed.
Licensed Resources
We have streaming access to thousands of films available in collections for which we have already purchased digital rights. These are available to all on-site users as well as to UNH students, faculty, and staff both on- and off-site.
- Licensed audio, video, and image databases
- Other resources can be found by searching with keywords streaming video in the library catalog.
Low Cost or Free Options
If a video is already legally available on the internet for rental or low-cost purchase via sources like Netflix, Hulu, iTunes, Amazon, etc., you can also suggest these options to your students. There is a handy website Can I Stream.It? to help determine streaming availability of specific titles.
You can search YouTube through Creative Commons and Snag Films to find many free streaming videos.
There are other free resources that we can suggest if you have a specific topic in mind.
Linking to Canvas
Each video that we license has a permanent URL that can be inserted into your course in Canvas (myCourses). If you need technical support with either learning management system, contact IT Support or refer to this Knowledge Base article.
Copyright Information
Copyright implications of streaming are often complicated and nuanced. The following links provide further information regarding copyright issues:
- Taking Intellectual Property and Copyrights From the Classroom to the Cloud, presentation by former USNH Special Counsel Michelle Gluck
- Guidelines for Course Reserves
Other UNH Resources
For assistance editing audio and video for creation of rich media presentations, contact Parker Media Lab in Dimond Library Room 237.


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Credit Repair Made Easy
In the United States, it's estimated that well over half of consumer credit reports contain an error or mistake of some kind. Whether it's outdated information, false delinquencies, or missing accounts, chances are there's something wrong in your credit report. With so many people struggling to maintain their credit score and keep debt off, how can anyone possibly afford to let serious mistakes linger on their credit report? A major mistake on your credit report could be costing you money, especially if it's causing damage to your auto insurance company. If you're like most people feeling the credit crunch right now, it's time you took charge of your credit once and for all. With help of our revolutionary Credit Repair Made Easy service, you can fix the mistakes on your credit report and pay off debt for good.
How Credit Repair Works
For many people, credit repair may seem like a new concept. The truth is, credit repair companies have been around for many years, slowly perfecting their craft to the art form it is today. Here's a look at how the typical credit repair service works:
- Consultation - Credit repair starts with a consultation, a meeting between the credit repair company and the consumer. Here they can discuss the consumer's goals and how they can be accomplished. The credit repair agency can take a look at the consumer's finances and draw up a plan to get them back on track.
- Dispute - Next, the credit repair agency can begin disputing inaccurate information or mistakes on the consumer's credit report. Fixing these mistakes is essential to repairing credit.
- Negotiate - Now the credit repair agency can start negotiating with their customer's lenders. Often times, credit repair companies are able to obtain improved interest rates and a reduced amount of total debt.
- Budget - Finally, the process generally concludes with a tailor made budget for the consumer. This allows expertly-crafted budget allows them to keep their finances in line for the rest of their lives.
Sign up Today!
Are you ready to turn your finances around with credit repair? Get started today with our Credit Repair Made Easy program! Our service allows you to find the best credit repair agency for your unique financial situation in just seconds! Just fill out the simple form with your information and we'll get started in finding your credit repair company immediately. We have a limitless network of credit repair agencies, each of which are fully certified to fix your credit now! It takes just minutes to complete the process and you don't even have to get up from your chair! So why wait longer to get your credit back on track? Sign up now and start repairing your credit today!


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We are one of the world's leading manufacturers of pressure-relief valves for use in processing industries, which include refineries, petrochemical/chemical plants and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Pressure relief valves are self-actuated safety devices designed to prevent the overpressure of vessels, pipelines and other critical industrial equipment.
Since the early 1940s, Farris Engineering has designed and produced a wide range of spring-loaded and pilot-operated pressure relief valves. Used as safety devices, they prevent over-pressurization of vessels, pipelines, and equipment. Farris is a recognized leader in the hydrocarbon processing, refinery, petrochemical, natural gas production and transmission, pharmaceutical, and general processing industries worldwide.
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© 2006 Curtiss Wright Inc. All Rights Reserved.


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Just hours out from the opening game of State of Origin series, NSW assistant coach Matt Parish has called on fullback Jarryd Hayne to bring an "air of arrogance" to Suncorp Stadium.
Hayne is being labelled as the key weapon in NSW's artillery, with Parish putting the onus on the Eels No.1 way to bring his club confidence to the representative arena and lead the Blues to victory.
"Jarryd is obviously injury-free and certainly playing really well at NRL level," Parish said.
"He's been great for Parra and hence one of the reasons why they are going so well this year. We need him to bring that confidence and that air of arrogance into this game and certainly lead the way for us."
NSW cannot afford a repeat of last year's slow start at Suncorp Stadium, with the Blues coaching staff placing emphasis on their side's ability to burst out of the blocks.
While the physicality of the game is expected to be toned down from previous years given the NRL's crackdown on fighting, Parish insists it will still be a "brutal" affair.
"I think it will still be pretty brutal, I wouldn't like to be carrying the ball up off the first kick off," Parish said.
"The start in any game is important, but in particularly Origin. We need to start well but I'm sure they will be saying the same thing there."
The Blues went on their traditional team walk through enemy territory on Wednesday morning, given the afternoon off to prepare for tonight's blockbuster showdown.
While they were abused by Queenslanders, Parish said the players had developed thick skin after four days north of the border.
"They are used to it, so it doesn't matter where they go at the moment they get heckled," Parish said.
"It's all part of the build up to Origin. They just have to relax, there's no point for them to play the game before kick off. It's all individual preparation now. It's all up to them now. All the team work and team meetings are done.
"Our preparations are a lot different because of where we've been and what we've done but you can never tell until you get to the pressure-cooker of Origin and what it's actually going to toss up. A lot of people can play well at NRL level but then they get to Origin and choke. We can only go off what we've done this week. All the guys have been really good and improved every session, which is what we want to do. We're quite confident we can play really well tonight."


text:
Undergraduate authors are denoted by a highlight.
Authors: Jennifer E. Purcell Giacomo Milisenda Aldo Rizzo Steven A. Carrion Serena Zampardi Sabina Airoldi Giacomo Zagami Letterio Guglielmo Ferdinando Boero Thomas K. Doyle Stefano Piraino
Article Title: Digestion and predation rates of zooplankton by the pleustonic hydrozoan Velella velella and widespread blooms in 2013 and 2014
Journal Title: Journal of Plankton Research
Article Issue/Vol: Advance Access
Page Numbers: 0
View more >>
Authors: Kevin Gleason Shawn A. Putnam
Article Title: Microdroplet Evaporation with a Forced Pinned Contact Line
Journal Title: Langmuir
Article Issue/Vol: 34/30
Page Numbers: 10548–10555
View more >>
Authors: A. Dutta C.J. Clukay C.N. Grabill D.J. Freppon A. Bhattacharya S.M. Kuebler H. Heinrich
Article Title: Nanoscale Characterization of Gold Nanoparticals Created by In Situ Reduction at a Polymeric Surface
Journal Title: Journal of Microscopy
Article Issue/Vol: 1/251
Page Numbers: 27-34
View more >>
Authors: Stephen M. Kuebler Henry E. Williams Daniel J. Freppon Raymond C. Rumpf Marc A. Melino
Article Title: Creation of Three-Dimensional Micro-Photonic Structures on the End-Face of Optical Fibers
Journal Title: Journal of Laser Micro/Nanoengineering
Article Issue/Vol: 7
Page Numbers: 293-298
View more >>
Authors: A. Dutta C.J. Clukay C.N Grabill B. Yuan D.J. Freppon A. Bhattacharya S.M. Kuebler H. Heinrich
Article Title: Nanoscale Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles for Electroless Deposition on Polymeric Surfaces
Journal Title: Appl. Surf. Sci.
Article Issue/Vol: In Press
Page Numbers: In Press
View more >>


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Over the past five years, it has become a rite as ho-hum and predictable as the annoying Christmas jingle and a pre-Boxing Day sale. It's December, so Montreal Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo must be contemplating retirement.
For the 40-year-old's wife and children, it's threatening to turn into an inside joke, as the man himself said: "At this point, they're basically just letting me talk."
Well, the conversation – monologue, really – was an abbreviated one this year.
Though pro football's all-time leading passer seriously considered hanging up his cleats two seasons ago, the thought didn't cross his mind this time around.
And so it is that Calvillo will return for a 20th professional season – No. 13 announced his plans for 2013 on Dec. 13, as one would.
He said the decision was reached in the aftermath of Montreal's loss to the Toronto Argonauts in last month's East Division final.
"I knew right away that I wanted to come back," he said.
That's good news for the Alouettes. Despite his advancing age, Calvillo is showing little evidence of an incipient decline, passing for 31 touchdowns and more than 5,000 yards in 2012 – a CFL-record seventh time he has done so.
He was intercepted 14 times, put together a string of eight consecutive 300-yard passing performances, led his team to a first-place finish and earned his fifth all-CFL nod in the process.
Newly-minted offensive co-ordinator Pat Meyer let it slip in a radio interview on Wednesday that the pivot would play another year.
Spilling palace secrets is frowned upon in the Alouettes organization, but this one was a minor sin. It was apparent from the off Calvillo would come back – after the season, head coach Marc Trestman opined, his quarterback put together his best year since 2008, when Trestman arrived in Montreal.
The decision, then, is a positive one for the As, who for the first time in recent memory won't be the favourites to win the East when the season starts (that mantle now shifts to the Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts).
But it will almost certainly cost Montreal the man considered by many as their quarterback of the future: long-time backup Adrian McPherson is slated to become a free agent in February. At 29, it would be a surprise if he doesn't seek a starting job elsewhere.
And if McPherson does leave, whoever replaces him on the depth chart had best be patient, Calvillo is plainly salivating at the prospect of going into 2013 with a healthy cadre of complementary players – receivers Jamel Richardson, S.J. Green and Brandon London are all under contract, while running back Brandon Whitaker, a free-agent-to-be, is recovering from knee surgery but hopes to be back by mid-summer.
"One of the reasons I keep coming back is I know we're going to be competitive," Calvillo said. "I just wouldn't come back if I didn't feel I could help this team win a championship. I wouldn't."
The off-season regimen Calvillo turned to in his mid-30s has helped him stave off the ailments of age – though he's recovering from surgery to repair a small labrum tear in his non-throwing shoulder, he missed no games through injury in 2012 – and he will once again turn to his "career-extender" this winter.
If there's a sense the Als have unfinished business on the field, having lost home playoff games in 2011 and 2012, there is also a little bit of history to consider.
Calvillo already owns most of professional football's quarterbacking records, he enters 2013 just of out of reach of another one – he needs 60 touchdown passes to surpass Brett Favre's mark of 508.
It's doubtful Calvillo can set a new record in one season, but seeing as he's signed a two-year contract (the second is an option year, so his family can expect another retirement talk next winter) don't count him out.
While records are nice, they aren't the reason Calvillo keeps coming back, winning is.
The California native has a 3-5 record in Grey Cup games, and badly wants to get closer to .500. This past season marked the first time since Calvillo became the Alouettes' starter that the team has gone consecutive years without making it to the championship game.
Never let it be said this is not an intensely competitive man.
"I want to stay on top," Calvillo said, "and the only way I know to do that is to challenge myself."Report Typo/Error
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text:
Best Of :: Shopping & Services
If a craving for a shot of Fellini and a mocha frappé strikes at the same time, head to Juma's DVD, which squats in the back of the Bohemian Bean Internet cafe and coffeehouse. Browsable in person or on the web, Juma's rental catalogue includes a bit of everything, from Luis Buuel to Jack Black, Disney to DeMille. Once you've rented something, you won't have to hock your jewelry to pay late fees if you can't return the goods on time. And because the place keeps coffeehouse hours -- 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day -- it's likely to be open whenever you desire a dash of La Dolce Vita.
The Denver Public Library's newly revamped website offers a welcome selection of no-hassle, no-cost online resources for cardholders, from complete car-repair manuals (wiring diagrams included!) to Bradford legal forms and movie, music and book reviews. An astonishing range of periodical databases offer full-text articles from health, business, popular and scholarly publications. And don't get us started on the genealogical tools and links. Log on and dig in.
Cold sweats, cravings, minor panic attacks. Never mind actually quitting -- these are some sensations experienced by dedicated smokers who simply stop to contemplate a puff-free life. But deep down, even the heaviest huffers know what a wretched, toxic habit smoking is. It's just that giving it up is so damn...hard. Colorado Quitline and QuitNet, free services operated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, make it easier by offering online and telephone counseling, referrals and medical info to those hoping to snuff their addiction. Funded by money from the huge multi-state tobacco settlement of 1998, Quitline and QuitNet are known to be effective strategies: Smokers who use the services are three times more likely to stay smoke-free for at least six months longer than those who never pick up the phone or log on. Ready to kick? Reach out and touch someone.
Aspiring gardeners who don't know the difference between a weed and a seed pod will find plenty to dig into on Colorado State University's Master Gardener website. So will those looking for specific information on delightfully dirty subjects like composting and mealworms. The site is an exhaustive font of information for both the seasoned and the stupefied, with tips on everything from lawn care and pest control to plant selection and keeping your window fern alive. Visitors can also ask questions directly of those earthy wizards known as master gardeners. It isn't easy being a green thumb, but CSU's site makes it a little less mind-boggling.
Face it: Parking downtown will always be a pain. But the Tabor Center parking garage is an oasis in a desert of parking meters. It costs twelve bucks to park there all day, but the garage is much more than just an auto warehouse. Different services are available on different levels of the structure: Leave your car on Level E, and Center Line Detailing Car Wash will clean it ($15 to $25) while you shop. On Level C is same-day dry-cleaning and auto repair: Midas Auto Service Experts will pick up your vehicle, change the oil or whatever else you need and return it to the garage. Speedy Auto Glass will even come and fix windshields. What parking meter can do all that?
Yeah, parking tickets suck. What makes them even worse is writing a check to cover the cost, tracking down an envelope and a stamp, and remembering to put the hateful package in the mail. While the Denver Parking Violations Bureau's website doesn't entirely take the sting out of the process, it does eliminate some of the additional tasks. By clicking the "Pay-By-Web" button on the home page and following along step by step, users can charge a ticket to their Visa or MasterCard, saving a few pennies and some additional frustration in the process.


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Encephalitis, or inflammation of the brain, though rare, can happen to
anyone, anytime, anywhere, at any age. Its etiologies, or causes, are varied; there is no known cure; and 20% of its victims die. Those who survive its assault more-often-than-not are left with an acquired brain injury necessitating expert medical treatment and skilled professional rehabilitation. Its sequelae, or residuals, are varied, life-altering and costly, leaving survivors and their loved ones changed forever. The International Encephalitis Consortium (The IEC) – a network of infectious disease professionals, neurologists, rehabilitation specialists, researchers and survivors – collaborates to reduce the global impact of encephalitis. Resources for research are scarce and urgently needed; your donation, large or small, can make a difference, save a life, even help find a cure.
The invisible nature of encephalitis makes it difficult, sometimes impossible, to have the public show true compassion for what we are coping with, every day.
Each year 20,000 people in the United States and 500,000 people globally are affected of this
difficult-to-diagnose illness. The aftermath of encephalitis is devastating for patients, families and society alike. It can leave a family in financial ruin; more than half of survivors are unable to return to work, resulting in a 70% reduction in income. In the United States alone hospital costs for the treatment of encephalitis have doubled in the last 10 years, resulting in a $2 billion price tag, not including charges for physicians, diagnostic testing, pharmaceuticals or rehabilitation.
Research clearly indicates that good hospital care, followed by comprehensive rehabilitation,
results in significantly better outcomes for encephalitis survivors. Proper diagnostics, appropriate drug therapy and rest, followed by the right balance of treatment for physical, speech, cognitive and behavioral sequelae, offer the survivor a greater likelihood of returning to a productive and fulfilling life. However, in the absence of standardized diagnostic algorithms, or processes, and well-defined treatment protocols, survivors are often left to manage their own recovery. They stumble in the dark, unclear what to do or where to turn; all the while suffering with debilitating headaches, paralyzing exhaustion, challenges walking and talking, as well as significant problems with memory and concentration.
In more than 50% of cases the etiology, or cause, is unknown, making increased research
imperative. The International Encephalitis Consortium, formed in 2010, strives to reduce the global impact of encephalitis. The IEC is comprised of healthcare professionals, researchers and survivors from across the globe: North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In collaboration IEC members share knowledge and develop strategies that target problematic issues in diagnosing, treating and supporting those who have been impacted by encephalitis. Their work includes:
- Developing swift and effective diagnostic algorithms, or processes;
- Improving treatment and drug therapy during the acute phase of the illness;
- Determining standard rehabilitation protocols for improved long-term outcomes;
- Advancing awareness and knowledge about encephalitis for both health care professionals and the general public.
With your financial support the International Encephalitis Consortium can reduce the rate of
encephalitis, improve outcomes for those who are diagnosed, and discover cures that will eradicate this silent thief, this life-changing illness.


text: Saw this jacket on James Roday in an episode of Psych from last year and loved the military look. Full zip four pocket jacket, with a gray ribbed collar, and numbered writing on the back right shoulder. Anyone have any ideas on the brand? Been looking for a while so anything substantial would be appreciated. Thanks!


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FINDLAY, Ohio — Margaret R. Dixon, 72, of Findlay, passed away at
7:47 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014, at The Heritage Manor, Findlay.
She was born on July 1, 1942, to the late James H. and Leslie (Keene) Allen in Garden Creek, Virginia.
She married Harry Dixon and he preceded her in death.
Margaret is survived by her son, Joe (Kay) McNeil; stepdaughter,
Linda (Richard) Frederick; brothers: Curt (Linda) Allen and Jim (Carol)
Allen; nine grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
Margaret was also preceded in death by her son: Richard McNeil, daughter: Vicki McNeil, and granddaughter: Erica McNeil.
was a homemaker and member of the Red Hat Society. She was also
involved with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts at one time in her life.
services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at Maple
Grove Cemetery, Findlay. Pastor Cindy Ritter will officiate.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.
arrangements entrusted with Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, Findlay.
Online condolences may be made via www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.
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Information published on this site is not for republication in print or web media without the expressed written consent of Times Bulletin Media.


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Where is power feed for rear window heater?
Where does the power feed into the rear window heater grid?
Someone told me it was behind the passenger C-pillar from that little black box. But I looked up that part and it's a trap circuit for the FM antenna.
I am trying to troubleshoot a non-functioning rear window heater.
Also, I can't seem to find the rear window heater or anything to do with it on realoem.com, what is it listed under?
This black box? Are you getting 12v to the grid? It's controlled by the HVAC unit
Maybe it's from the other side:
Yes, the black box in the first picture is the one I am referring to.
realeom.com and the local BMW dealer identifies this as part number 65 24 8 380 944 Trap Circuit for FM Antenna. Is this incorrect? To me that looks like the connection for the grid but why is it identified as a trap circuit for the fm antenna.
Your second picture from the divers side, the realoem.com guide identifies that box as the amplifier, i am assuming the amplifier for the antenna??
I checked those two leads going from the box (in the first pic - passenger side) to the grid and I do not get 12 volts there, or any voltage for that matter.
The relay for the rear window heater located in the trunk 'clicks' when the heater button is pushed, the rear window heater light comes on, and the fuse is good, but no heat to the grid.
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Obama isn't the most precise theologian. Nor should that be expected of him--he's only a politician after all.In a recent interview before the selection of the new Pope Francis, President Obama was asked about his thoughts on the incoming pope. He expressed his hope that the next Holy Father would be faithful to what he considers the "central message of the Gospel." Admirable sentiment. I think we should all hope for a pope who loves the Gospel. The question we have to ask ourselves is: what … [Read more...]
Why The New Pope Shouldn't Listen to Obama's Advice
Robert Downey Jr., Walk the Line, and the Problem of Redemptive Themes
Often, your best friends also tick you off the most. No exception here. My buddy Drew constantly teases me about CAPC. He likes to pick on me for being a poor dresser, too, but he's basically right about that so I can't complain.His favorite joke is that at CAPC all we do is try to find, "redemptive themes," in movies. "Where was the redemptive theme in THAT?" he asked, 30 seconds after we walked out of "The Dark Knight."My friend's unfair (and uninformed) joking is a humorous pain in the … [Read more...]
Dan's Real Life is A Lie
One strange cultural passion is getting advice. This is not the same as taking advice, mind you. As a culture we seem to love to be told, "the right thing," or, "what I should do," even if we don't generally follow through. The success of Oprah is a great example, but despite her massive empire she is just the tip of the iceberg. Thousands of radio shows, newspapers, and websites hire people whose ENTIRE job is to give others advice on how to live. When we watch a movie like Dan in Real Li … [Read more...]


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Kyriad Hotel Paris Bercy Village
In the east of Paris, the hotel Kyriad Bercy boasts an ideal location for exploring The City of Lights. It is serviced by Metro line 14 only two stops from La Gare de Lyon, and is at a 10-minute walk to the ARENA Paris-Bercy, venue of world-class concerts and sports events.
Nature-lovers staying at Kyriad Bercy will enjoy its privileged vicinity, taking walks in Bercy Park and its four gardens, strolling around the village "Cour Saint Emilion" as well as trying restaurants and cafes. Shopaholics may find all their pleasure as well in La Madeleine and Les Grands Magasins shopping centres, at a 10-minutes distance through Metro line 14 – Metro station being right next to the hotel.
From 18h30 to 23h00, Monday through saturday, our head waiter is pleased to welcome you into our restaurant "Diner à Bercy".For your business meetings, our hotel places at your disposal 3 seminar rooms rated K-Business, a label attesting to quality assistance and efficiency.
- ❤ Business Corner High Tech
- ❤ Sports Hall
- ❤ Bar / Lounge
- ❤ Area Breakfast Club
- ❤ Located in the heart of Paris.
- ❤ Close to the Village "Cour Saint Emilion" and the Parc de Bercy gardens
- ❤ The metro line 14 to discover Paris easily
- ❤ At 10 minutes by ARENA Paris-Bercy
- ❤ Hotel's carpark private
- ❤ Free WiFi in all the hotel
- Check-in from 2:00 pm
- Check-out until 12:00 am
Hotel details
- ❤ Non smoking hotel
- ❤ 8 floors - 201 rooms
- ❤ 2 lifts
- ❤ 3 seminar rooms
- ❤ The bar
- ❤ Paying car park
- ❤ Luggage
- ❤ Business corner : PC with internet and a printer and office
- ❤ Pets allowed with addtional
Become a fan
and follow our news


text: All three major indices are trading up today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading up 18 points (0.1%) at 15,482 as of Monday, July 15, 2013, 12:50 PM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,893 issues advancing vs. 1,042 declining with 108 unchanged. The Electronics industry currently sits up 0.9% versus the S&P 500, which is up 0.1%. On the negative front, top decliners within the industry include Teradyne ( TER), down 2.0%, Siliconware Precision Industries ( SPIL), down 1.9%, Atmel Corporation ( ATML), down 1.6%, Linear Technology ( LLTC), down 0.8% and LG.Display Company ( LPL), down 0.6%. Top gainers within the industry include Applied Micro Circuits Corporation ( AMCC), up 15.4%, Canadian Solar ( CSIQ), up 14.1%, Trina Solar ( TSL), up 12.1%, SunEdison ( SUNE), up 10.9% and Power Integrations ( POWI), up 9.4%. TheStreet would like to highlight 5 stocks pushing the industry lower today: 5. Avago Technologies ( AVGO) is one of the companies pushing the Electronics industry lower today. As of noon trading, Avago Technologies is down $0.46 (-1.2%) to $38.49 on light volume. Thus far, 768,541 shares of Avago Technologies exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 2.8 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $38.46-$39.08 after having opened the day at $38.98 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $38.95. Avago Technologies Limited engages in the design, development, and supply of analog semiconductor devices with a focus on III-V based products. Avago Technologies has a market cap of $9.5 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 21.9% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are 11 analysts that rate Avago Technologies a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 3 rate it a hold. TheStreet Ratings rates Avago Technologies as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, expanding profit margins, increase in stock price during the past year and notable return on equity. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company shows weak operating cash flow. Get the full Avago Technologies Ratings Report now. STOCKS TO BUY: TheStreet Quant Ratings has identified a handful of stocks that can potentially TRIPLE in the next 12-months. Learn more.


text: Energy Plan ISO New England: The Challenges Of Meeting Our Region's Energy Needs By The Exchange • May 29, 2014 ISO-NE The New England Independent System Operator (or ISO) has a seemingly simple job: to keep the lights on, and the power running. But behind this goal are the many hurdles of operating the region's electric grid. Through the peaks of summer air-conditioning and winter cold snaps, the system must remain always ready for spikes in demand. An Updated Energy Plan For The Granite State? By Laura Knoy • May 21, 2013 With lots of proposals on the table right now, from biomass to wind to hydropower, efforts are underway once again to develop a statewide plan and judge these projects with that broader frame of reference in mind. But it's not an easy process, taking into account various concerns from the environment to property values to energy costs. Guests


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Mark | Poker Articles, Poker Strategy, Poker Tournament
This article belongs to the Poker Tournament series.
My good poker buddy McTap wrote an excellent article some time ago about the second major leak he had discovered in his game. In this article he introduced us to the concept of poker player levels which I believe were first coined by Phil Gordon in his article : "Inside the mind"
I'm revisiting the concept of poker player levels because I will be talking about it on The All in Poker Show later today. Currently I do not feel confident I will be able to explain to the listeners in a concise manner what poker player levels are all about. Therefore I will be using this article to focus my mind in preparation for the show.
To get started with the subject let's say you are playing an online poker tournament and you pick up AK hearts in early position and raise 3xBB. A player in middle position calls and everyone else folds. The flop comes 6 diamonds, 5 diamonds, K spades. You bet ¾ of the pot and your opponent raises you all in. He has you covered, so your tournament life is at stake. What do you do?
If your reasoning is along the lines: "I have a good hand with top pair top kicker, no way I'm folding" then you are thinking like a level 1 poker player.
If you consider the range of hands your opponent could be holding as well as your own hand before you make your decision, you have moved up a level and are now thinking like a level 2 poker player. In this situation you will probably end up folding the hand because you don't want to risk your tournament life with a call where your opponent's hand range includes pocket 5's and pocket 6's.
If you try seeing the hand from your opponent's perspective and consider the hand range he thinks you are holding, you have moved up yet another level and are now thinking like a level 3 poker player. In the mind of your opponent, you have probably hit top pair. Knowing this he still chooses to re-raise you all in. He could have hit his set or have slow played the Aces, but he could also be trying to push you out of the pot with a flush or a straight draw because he suspects you are capable of folding top pair. If your opponent did have a set wouldn't he have re-raised you with a smaller amount? His all in bet smells like a draw where he would be happy if you folded but also have outs to win the pot if you called. In my opinion this kind of level 3 thinking will bring you closer to making the call as compared to level 2 thinking.
According to Phil Gordon, expert players take an ever deeper look into their opponent's minds. In my opinion it all becomes a bit speculative and overly complicated when you start considering what your opponents think that you think they have. In an online tournament you have 30 seconds or less to make your decisions. There is no way you will have time for these kinds of considerations. Live tournaments however are a different story. Here you have the time to put a lot of thought into a hand. This is probably also why you see a lot more raise – re-raise – re-re-raise – fold action in live tournaments as compared to online tournaments. Players have time to complicate things :-).
Having now introduced you to the concepts of poker levels I will spend my next article debating how to apply the concept when you're playing online poker tournaments.
You could be posting your articles on the Poker Bankroll Blog. Read all about it here.
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My daughter used to be so sweet. Lately, this has been this spunky little nipple biter. I don't want stop breastfeeding, but I want to discourage the behavior.
What can I do?
My daughter used to be so sweet. Lately, this has been this spunky little nipple biter. I don't want stop breastfeeding, but I want to discourage the behavior.
What can I do?
The problem with marriages is that no one wants to be the woman!
No idea as I don't BF, but I had to chuckle a little! My little guy does this with his bottle nipple and with the pacifier. Just grabs it in his mouth, bites down hard, and pulls. Makes feeding time tough!
Mine too. Ouch! Makes me wonder if they are teething. I read in a book (and don't crucify me for this, as I don't do it) to lightly pull their hair when they do it, because they will start to associate biting you with unpleasantness and will stop doing it. I can't bring myself to do that though, it seems kind of mean. So I just wince. I can't imagine how much it is going to hurt when she has TEETH!
Loving partner to J, Mama bear to my January girls Lilliana Eveli (1.25.07), Elodie Elizabeth(1.08.10) and Lavender Cherie coming [4.11.16]
Probably teething. My son was doing that last week. What I did was to calmy say no and take the breast away. He quickly learned that if he wanted milk he had to be nice about it. He has been good so far about not bitting or pulling.
Mine does that, too....and he has two teeth! I think he is teething on the top, but part of it is that he is very distractible. He wants to wiggle and see what else is going on without losing the nipple, so he clamps down. I pull hair and/or tell him "no, no;" it works.
Also, I make sure he is hungry before I offer the breast. He can't bite if he's eating, but if he's not hungry he bites a whole lot more.
Wife to Dave and mommy to Lydia (02/20/08), Benjamin (12/29/09), and Julia (05/17/12).
my son did that too. luckily he stopped after a few days. he has his 2 bottom teeth though, so OUCH!!! i broke suction with my finger and stopped the nursing session. i would also unlatch him if he stopped nursing longer than a few seconds and latch back on after a little bit, that way he would eat the whole time on the boob. i made a post about this last week and someone suggested not reacting to the bite (my son thought it was hilarious if i yelled/cried/startled).
ps: i can't pull his hair, he already does it to himself every time he's tired as a soothing technique. lol
Proud mommy to Antonio Cristian, Jan 4 2010 :)�
gold boobie award winner
Teething, yes, that must be it! I have no problem pulling her hair. She is a tough cookie. Thanks ladies!
The problem with marriages is that no one wants to be the woman!
My son did this last week. I ended the nursing session, and said no biting. He didn't do it again but I don't really think what I did had anything to do with it. Good luck. Kellymom.com has good articles about things like this.
Heather married to my wonderful hubby Brian 5/07; "T" joined the party 1/10; "C" made it crazy 8/11. Another little boy on the way due 9/14!!
He could be teething. What I do is push his face into my breast a little bit so his nose gets covered and he opens his mouth. Found this quicker than breaking the suction, pinching the ear, or pulling hair.
Colin and Tricia make Odin
Born January 10th, 2010
Last night she did it again! My hubby asked me not to pull her hair, so instead I stopped nursing and gave her a teething ring. She seemed okay with that for 10 minutes. I continued to nurse after that with no problem.
The problem with marriages is that no one wants to be the woman!


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Get an overview of this hotelLe Gosier hotel in Pointe de la verdure with outdoor pool and business center
Popular property highlights
Located in Pointe de la verdure, this hotel is 1 mi (1.7 km) from Plage de Gosier and within 6 mi (10 km) of Basilica of St Peter and St Paul and Place de la Victoire. Musee Saint-John Perse and Schoelcher Museum are also within 6 mi (10 km).
Hotel Features
Along with an outdoor pool, this smoke-free hotel has a snack bar/deli and WiFi in public areas. Self parking is free. Additionally, coffee/tea in a common area, a business center, and meeting rooms are onsite.
Room Amenities
All 66 rooms offer WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and safes. Other amenities available to guests include showers, phones, and desks.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Opens in a new window
Karaibes Hotel
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The hotel offers a snack bar/deli. Wireless Internet access is available for a surcharge. Business-related amenities consist of a business center and meeting rooms. Event facilities measure 398 square feet (37 square meters). This business-friendly hotel also offers an outdoor pool, a terrace, and multilingual staff. Complimentary self parking is available on site.
Karaibes Hotel is a smoke-free property.
- Conference space size (feet) - 398
- Conference space size (meters) - 37
- Coffee/tea in common areas
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Total number of rooms - 66
- Number of floors - 3
- Business center
- Express check-out
- Front desk (limited hours)
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Laundry facilities
- Meeting rooms 4
- Multilingual staff
- Terrace
- Luggage storage
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Year Built 2006
- Snack bar/deli
- Number of meeting rooms - 4
- Free self parking
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Outdoor pool
Family Friendly Amenities
- Family Hotel
- Outdoor pool
- Snack bar/deli
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
Available in all rooms: Wireless internet access ( EUR 5 per week )
Available in some public areas: Wireless internet access ( EUR 5 per week )
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Air conditioning
- In-room climate control (air conditioning)
- Access via exterior corridors
- Phone
- Refrigerator (on request)
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Shower only
- Hair dryer (on request)
- In-room safe
- Desk
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Flat-panel TV
- WiFi (surcharge)
- Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
Where to Eat
Continental breakfasts are available for a surcharge and are served each morning between 7 AM and 9 AM.
Nearby Things to Do
Recreational amenities at the hotel include an outdoor pool.
Children under 16 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Snorkeling nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please note them at check-out when you book your room.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Check-in time ends at 9 PM
Check-in time starts at 2 PM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
Children and extra beds
- Children are welcome.
- Rollaway/extra beds are available.
- Free cribs (infant beds)!
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of EUR 5 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
No rollaway/extra beds available
No elevators
Guests requiring cribs (infant beds) for children age 2 and younger must contact the property in advance of checking-in to confirm availability.
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 0.90 per person, per night
Optional extras
- Fee for continental breakfast: EUR 8.50 per person (approximately)
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: EUR 5 per week (rates may vary)
- Fee for wireless Internet in public areas: EUR 5 per week (rates may vary)
- Pet fee: EUR 5 per pet (varies based on length of stay)
- Late check-out fee: EUR 20
- Refrigerator fee: EUR 4 per night
- Rollaway beds are available for an additional fee
Hotel Name
- Karaibes
- Karaibes Hotel
- Karaibes Hotel Le Gosier
- Karaibes Le Gosier
- Karaibes Hotel Guadeloupe/Le Gosier
National Rating
This property has received its official star rating from the French Tourism Development Agency, ATOUT France.


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A key member of the original Silent Hill trilogy development team has expressed his disappointment at the state of the impending HD re-release of SH2 and 3.
As reported by Destructoid, Masahiro Ito, who served as art director on the first three Silent Hill games, was asked to comment via Twitter on comparison shots of the PS2 original next to the new HD version. In the images, missing fog textures have exposed unfinished sections of the environment.
"Left side is HD, isn't it? It's poor," he wrote. "It's really a released version? Really?"
When the follower who originally posed the questioned confirmed that the image was indeed from the retail disc, Ito simply replied "OMG!"
He later added that Konami should "release a patch for HD collection, I think," before speculating that the problem might be caused by PlayStation 3 tech.
"I guess that it was a problem of PS3. PS3 has a weak point for using 'translucent texture'," he wrote.
"But PS2 has no such a weak point, and original SH2/SH3 use so many 'translucent texture'. Example, for fog/mist."
Take a look at the screenshots in question below.
The Silent Hill HD Collection launched in the US earlier this month and follows in Europe on 29th March.