|
|
|
Perils
of Refuge (09/17/04)  |
|
Refugee life is a miserable life and is adopted only as an
alternative to certain death. It does not need to be so if humanity
uses its conscience. Afghan refugees have undergone terrible conditions
and the remaining almost 3 million in neighboring countries are still
suffering. Their case should not be forgotten and the Afghan government
in conjunction with the United Nations should establish a commission
to assess their needs and the ways for preparing them to return in dignity.
|
Taming
the Lion of Herat
Insecurity, Elections and NGOs (09/11/04) |
| On this third
anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on American soil, a bold
action by the leader of the transitional government of Afghanistan
indicates the hard decisions that are still to be taken before victory
can be announced in the war against terror in Afghanistan and in securing
of an independent and democratic country in the heart of Asia. Afghanistan
needs to be free, to stand on its own feet, and to be able to secure
peace to traverse the path towards true democracy and prosperity.
But is she ready to do so? |
Half Elections
October is Just Before November (08/12/04)
|
| Half of
the Afghan elections namely elections for president will take place
on October 9, 2004. The other half, parliamentary elections, have
been pushed into the next year. Analysts say presidential elections
were planned for October, because it is just before November. Afghan
elections are also seen as an experiment in nation building sponsored
by big brother nations. Furthermore, the experiment will provide lab
results to be used by students of politics all over the world and
for years to come. This paper throws some light on the issue. |
|
Think of the Motherland (07/19/04) |
| The Afghan
motherland's nature is injured and is subjected to further injury.
Water pollution, air pollution and tens of other environmental problems
threaten the country's natural well being, both in the cities and
in the countryside. This paper tries to scratch the surface of these
problems and make recommendations in the form of what can be done
to fight these important problems. |
| The
Many Faces of Truth (07/04/04) |
| What is the
truth in the Afghan context? How the truth remains either hidden or
becomes distorted? Consider these questions in the context of the
Afghan presidential and parliamentary elections because truth has
many faces. |
| He
Didn't Want to Go Home! (06/19/04) |
| President
Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan concluded a visit to the United States
where he addressed a joint session of the US Congress, was received
by President Bush and had a private lunch with the President and the
first lady. He also got a chance to attend the G 8 Summit and hold
a number of interviews. Analysts watched and some tried to read between
the lines: |
| To
Oversell Afghan Tranquility and Progress (06/07/04) |
| Let us hope
that the visiting President of Afghanistan does not engage in overselling
of the achievements of his administration during his visit to the
United States and instead embark on an honest down-to-earth discussion
of the problems facing his government and his country. Let him talk
about economic problems and the remedies he has planned for them.
Let him discuss social problems such as human rights and the rights
of women and children and what measures he has taken to maintain them.
Let him talk about the problem of drugs, resurgence of Taleban and
warlordism in Afghanistan and his plans to combat them. Let him talk
about poverty and disease and how to eliminate them. Let him seek
help, technical and otherwise from experts, compatriots and technological
facilities to overcome the many problems of his country. Only then
would people believe in him to be a leader and not a political salesperson.
|
| Karzai
Planner or Player (05/29/04) |
| Some people
are players. Some people are planners. Few are both. A good national
leader is a person who has high aspirations as well as the ability
to realize them. Let us see what is Karzai? |
|
Mullah as Agent for Reconstruction and Recovery (05/22/04) |
| There are
roughly about 150,000 Mullahs in Afghanistan. This is a huge human
resource that can be retrained and entrusted with specific tasks in
the country's rebuilding and reconstruction and as an agent of change
working for democratic transition at par with Islamic values. This
paper refers to a recent declaration by the Islamic Scholars and their
support of the government and democracy and suggests they should be
taken on their word and asked to help in refresher education of the
Mullahs on a regional basis. |
| The
Fine Line Between Occupation and Liberation (05/15/04) |
| There is
a fine line between occupation and liberation in the context of the
American campaign against Arab terrorists in Afghanistan and against
a regime in Iraq. Any loss of balance while walking this fine line
would result in uproar because the spectators, the world at large,
expect to see the promised smooth performance and a successful termination
of the mission. |
| Amir
Abdul Rahman, Karzai and the Wild West (04/11/04) |
| There are
coincidences in abundance in historical phenomena. More than a hundred
years ago in 1880, Afghanistan came under the rule of a man who had
learned a lot from life rather than schools. His country was fractured
similar to that of contemporary Afghanistan. Foreign interests and
intrigues dominated the political sphere of the country. Many princes,
local chieftains and lords ruled parts of the country, as they wished,
not unlike the rule of the warlords of their fiefdoms today. There
was need for laying down the foundation of a new governmental system
with an infrastructure. There was need for balancing foreign interests
in the country with the needs of its people. President Karzai finds
himself at the helm of a country no better than the year 1880. This
paper is a quick look at the similarities and contrasts of the two
eras. |
| Money
for Karzai (04/04/04) |
| While the
new pledge of monetary assistance by international community to Afghanistan
is a welcome move, it is equally important that Karzai's administration
design a clear-cut plan for its expenditure in order to pave the way
for the Afghans to embark on their mission of reparation of their
dilapidated economy and country. Karzai should make sure to prove
to the world that his administration is capable of efficient expenditure
of the assistance it receives from an optimistic world. He should
further make sure that the money is not wasted on strengthening of
the red tape or the futile routine of government offices or as salary
for its workers that play no role in boosting up of economic productivity.
|
|
The Many Rulers of Afghanistan (03/12/04) |
| Have you
ever thought about how many people and interests are sharing in the
powers of President Karzai of Afghanistan? For a president to share
so much power, he must have an infinite supply of it. Does Karzai
have unlimited power to share with all claimants and still keep some
for himself? |
| To
Transplant Democracy (03/06/04) |
| There is
a wide gap between democratic process in some of the advanced Western
democracies and some of the third world countries. Even in the third
world countries, there are wide differences in the structure of the
societies to make democracy work in one country while it may not be
as successful in another. Under some conditions transplantation of
democracy imported from another society might or might not work while
in others there would be the need for grafting of its nucleus and
hoping for it to grow. Experience and experimentation would help deciding
on the method. Yet there is hope that one-day democracy will catch
up with all those societies that it has passed by so far. And there
is hope that technology will also be used in the service of the democratic
process. Where people have not caught up with technology, technology
will eventually catch up with them. But presently, the story of transplantation
of the Western style democracy in Afghanistan is an interesting issue.
This paper points at the contrast. |
The
Cost of Nation Building
Where a Soldier Costs Four Thousand Dollars a Day (02/23/04) |
| The amounts
of money reportedly given as aid to Afghanistan is not solely for
reconstruction. Almost all of it goes for military operations and
only a small fraction finds its way into the coffers of the government.
The government spends this minute amount on keeping its wheels turning
by paying salaries of its employees that do nothing beyond the routine
of often unnecessary and cumbersome paperwork. But billions of dollars
allocated in the budgets of the donor countries are spent only for
the upkeep of the military operations that are open ended and not
bound by any time frame yet. Another small fraction that is given
to the NGOs for the sake of humanitarian work is used mostly for the
huge and many a time unaccounted for expenses in the form of large
salaries for international and national staff and transportation and
accommodation needs of the NGO concerned. There is a dire need for
a thorough study of the issue by a competent commission of experts.
|
| Moderate
Taleban? (02/09/04) |
| There is
a need of focusing to deal effectively not only with the resurging
militant Taleban but also to understand the making and attitudes of
the Taleban in general. A preemptive action regarding introduction
of reforms in the curricula of the Madrassas, credentialing of the
teaching staff and regular inspection of the teaching methods and
the staff by the education departments of Afghanistan and Pakistan
will be most effective measures and most appropriate way of meeting
the national responsibilities of the governments in these two countries.
Education of the masses regarding the details of issues involved would
make them aware of the threats to their security and tranquility.
There is a further need for the government to prove to the nation
that it can provide better security than Taleban to the public. The
United States should concentrate on how to change the perception that
its military in the country is not the forces of occupation, but true
liberators engaged in helping the country find its independent and
peaceful way to a democratic future. This paper, briefly points at
some of the issues related to the topic. It is felt that there is
a need for scholars in the two countries as well as in the Islamic
world to undertake a thorough study of the issues involved and to
come up with additional or improved suggestions. |
| Brahimi
and the Order of Ghazi Amanullah Khan (01/17/04) |
| Mr. Lakhdar
Brahimi a former Algerian minister of foreign affairs concluded his
term of office as the UN Secretary General's special envoy to Afghanistan
and returned to New York where he was given the position of the UN
Undersecretary and Special Adviser. Mr. Hamid Karzai, head of the
transitional administration in Afghanistan bestowed on Mr. Brahimi
one of the highest honors of the land namely the Order of Ghazi Amanullah
Khan. Some critics have already started a review of his role in the
shaping up of the Post-Taleban administration in Afghanistan and question
the methods he used to achieve his objectives. This paper attempts
to throw some light on the background of the roles assigned to Mr
Brahimi in finding of a solution to the Afghan quagmire, his failure
and success. |
The
Day After
Can Karzai Measure Up to the Task (01/09/04) |
| The enormity
of the task ahead of Karzai can be guessed by looking at any article
of the Constitution that was promulgated last Sunday in Kabul. For
example: Article Six of Chapter 1 of the Constitution reads: "The
state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive society based
on social justice, protection of human dignity, protection of human
rights, realization of democracy, and to ensure national unity and
equality among all ethnic groups and tribes and to provide for balanced
development in all areas of the country." Reread the article
and the obligations it places on the leader of the state and then
consider whether Karzai with his past performance so far is ready
to stand up to the challenge! Also consider that this is only one
article among 162 articles of the Constitution that presents the government
with a variety of challenges. If Karzai is able to pass this test
then he would go down history as a national leader. If he fails, he
will be considered a stooge. |
|
Taking of the Afghan Draft Constitution to the Tents (12/12/03) |
| Some 500
delegates go under the tents in Kabul tomorrow to deliberate the fate
of their country in the 21st century. It will be a difficult and hard
deliberation involving the powers assigned to the country's leader
or leaders, the separation of powers, and more important reconciling
tradition with modern requirements. It will serve also as a test of
whether Western type democracy can be copied to lead civil life in
the third world countries. Such is the task confronting the 500 Afghans
who go under the tent and tents to map out a future for their country.
It is a hard task. It requires not only educated and experienced minds,
but also kind and gentle nature. What would come out from under these
tents would determine whether the Afghan experience was a success!
|
| As
the Poppy Grows (11/29/03) |
| As the officials
of the transitional government were busy politicking, and as their
international allies, the United States and the United Nations were
busy planning for maintaining of an elusive peace and security in
the country, and as a variety of commissions and committees were planning
for the future of the country in the form of preparation of national
documents or daydreaming about improving the country's economy, the
poppy plant grew and produced a bumper crop this year. The production
of opium in Afghanistan doubled compared to last year and so did the
area set aside by farmers for its cultivation. |
| The
Killing of Goislard (11/27/03) |
| Coward killers
in Afghanistan assassinated Bettina Goislard, a UN peace worker last
week. She was serving the refugee program. She loved Afghanistan and
was determined to serve its people. Hard-line extremism and Taleban
have been blamed for the incident. The government needs to work hard
to eliminate causes of extremism and the philosophy of Talebanism,
by working earnestly to win the population over |
| The
Not So Final Draft of the Afghan Constitution (11/09/03) |
| The Draft
of the new Afghan Constitution compiled in 12 chapters and 160 articles
has been published. It is an effort to provide for a democratic system
of government for Afghanistan. It is also an effort to provide for
the country's unity and map out a democratic course for its future
development. The Commission entrusted with the compilation of this
document has said that it is not the final draft that would be presented
to 500-member Constitutional Loya Jirga for adoption because the Commission
was intending to provide for inclusion of additional constructive
suggestions it may receive from the public until the convening of
the Jirga. It is a good document but may not be a perfect one. It
is therefore essential that experts and the experienced among the
Afghans contribute to it with an aim to enriching it further with
their constructive views and inputs. |
| Iraq/Afghanistan
Twenty to One (11/01/03) |
| There is
no doubt about the importance of Iraq and the need for success of
the American efforts there, but it should be emphasized that Afghanistan
is not 20 times less important than Iraq. Considering Afghanistan's
geography, population, strategic importance and its production of
illicit drugs as well as its potential for falling into the hands
of extremists once again, she might be more important than Iraq. The
US policy makers should realize this fact. |
| Where
They Kill the Sun (10/19/03) |
| Afghanistan
needs to reach a good majority of its population in order to bring
them information about democracy and the processes involved in deciding
on Afghanistan's new constitution, the Loya Jirga and the upcoming
elections in June of next year. There are hundreds of other important
issues that the public needs information on. The press, printed press
in particular, as video technology is not vastly popular as yet in
Afghanistan, has been one of the main media elements used for bringing
the ruled and the rulers together on national issues. Recently, the
private paper the “Sun” was banned on orders from the judiciary
and supported by the ministry of information and culture and more
recently the government run newspaper, the National Aspiration, was
canceled amid allegations that the authorities did not like its critical
tone against the government |
Positioning
Tactics for Elections<br>
Can Karzai Ride on His Own Popularity? (10/12/03) |
| “Nobody
with armed forces behind them can continue their political activities,”
Justice Minister Abdul Rrahim Karimi told a news conference Sunday.
The government has published new election laws that ban warlords from
running for office. In the wake of the new developments and in anticipation
of both the Loya Jirga in December 2003 and general elections in June
of next year, parties and personalities have started positioning themselves
for political action. It would seem that Mr. Hamid Karzai wants to
ride on his own popularity. Would this be enough for him to win the
elections? |
| Thirty
Percent of Zero (09/27/03) |
| Addressing
the United Nations general assembly and on the issue of economic recovery
in Afghanistan, Hamed Karzai told the world body: "Having started
from a below-zero baseline, the 30 percent economic growth rate which
Afghanistan enjoyed last year is a promising start." He then
pointed to some of the measures his administration had taken for the
economic recovery. He shared selected information with the world but
kept a lot to himself. |
| Russia
Wants $ 9.8 Billion From Afghanistan (09/20/03) |
| Russia says
Afghanistan owes it almost $ 10 billion. The Russian Finance Minister
has told his US counterpart that Russia would consider giving aid
to Afghanistan only after the above issue is settled. The Russian
Finance Minister has forgotten that on the contrary it is Russia that
owes Afghanistan war damages and indemnity for causing direct and
indirect complete destruction to Afghanistan's infrastructure because
of its invasion and occupation of the country that also caused over
one million casualties in human lives. Human suffering of incalculable
amount was also inflicted on the otherwise peaceful nation of Afghanistan.
The Afghan government and its friends need to work on a legal project
to recover Afghanistan's rightful claim to war damages through legal
international channels and also to let the world know that it may
not be Afghanistan that is indebt to Russia but on the contrary it
is Russia that has evaded the issue of war damages the Soviet Union
inflicted on Afghanistan. |
| The
"Land Mafia" (09/14/03) |
| Before sitting
on the seats of power, some politicians humbly address people's assemblies
and pose as their true servants. It is only after their ascension
to power that the truth of their claim is put to the test. The same
test in the post-Taleban Afghanistan reveals that the transitional
government is failing to fulfill its promises of a democratic society
where all citizens are equal and benefit equally from the basic human
rights including the right to housing, security and dignity. Recently
the myth of service to the people was broken when some agents of the
transitional government in Kabul bulldozed people's homes. |
| The
Chicken or Egg of Afghan Politics (09/07/03) |
| Legal action
by political parties requires that law regulate them. As per transitional
government's minister of justice, such a law does not exist. To make
the law regulating political parties, they need to have their ideas
reflected in the constitution that is in the process of making. Should
political action stop in the country until the Constitutional Loya
Jirga? Should the transitional government work out a temporary arrangement
allowing parties to engage in politics? What comes first, political
parties or the law governing them? |
| Hail
to the Oppressed Women of Afghanistan (08/25/03) |
| What is needed
in Afghanistan today is a fundamental desire to take up reconstruction
and development projects seriously and funding of result oriented
projects where the success of a project is measurable and the expenditures
in the project are accountable. There is also a need to strengthen
the Afghan Ministry for Women's Affairs to be able to evaluate the
situation more scientifically and to take control of finding and applying
of true remedies to the problems facing Afghan women. Afghan women
deserve all the help and sympathy that can be accorded them even during
this so called era of liberation as they are not truly liberated and
as their rights are still being trampled upon by a male dominated
culture and by male officials of the country's own government as evidenced
by recent human rights watch groups reports. |
|
Power Politics Ahead of the Constitutional Loya Jirga (08/14/03) |
| Cards have
already been dealt for the final play for power before a Constitutional
Loya Jirga in October this year decides the fate of the country's
political system, form of government and legislative and political
course. The players are many and the stakes are high for each. This
commentary discusses in brief some of the games that have already
been played and those that are planned for by a variety of movements.
|
| Border
Alert! (07/27/03) |
| Afghanistan
and Pakistan need to coexist in the region as friends and to cooperate
in order to secure a desirable environment for their nations' progress
and prosperity. They do not need to engage in military conflict of
any size. Recent news of Pakistani incursion into Afghanistan's soil
reflected even in official statements by Afghanistan's president Karzai,
therefore is a matter of deep concern. This paper tries to focus on
one of the reasons why Pakistan has chosen such a risky road in its
relations with its neighbor. |
|
To Usher in a Constitution (06/15/03) |
| As a nation,
Afghanistan needs a constitution that would allow it to be ruled by
law instead of by the gun. So far, the transitional government has
used the essence of the 1964 constitution of the era of monarchy excepting
the chapter on the person of the King. Although the Emergency Loya
Jirga entrusted the transitional government to establish a transitional
parliament, it failed to do so and has used its own cabinet instead
to make the few laws that favor the actions of the government. Abiding
the decision of the Loya Jirga, on the other hand, a constitutional
drafting committee rather quickly came up with a first draft. Karzai
was quick to name a commission of 35 people to study the draft and
prepare it for consideration of a constitutional Loya Jirga in October
2003. The commission is now left with but a few short months to accomplish
the greatest exercise in Afghan history comprising of seeking the
nation's views on the draft. The draft is not even published so far.
All of this tells us of some degree of haste that is exercised by
the authorities in the constitution making process. The following
are views in random of some people who have expressed their concerns
on this most important event in the contemporary history of Afghanistan.
Others stress that efforts should be made to keep the exercise an
absolutely Afghan one by preventing influences by groups, whether
national or international, who may be interested to further their
own interests. |
| The
Politics of Irrelevancy (06/07/03) |
| Observers
of international politics noted a new approach by some politicians
who from a position of absolute military power called their opponents
irrelevant and proceeded with their own plans as if the opposition
did not exist. Israeli politicians were first to use it in their dealings
with Yasser Arafat the Palestinian leader. More recently some other
politicians have adopted this approach, called here as the politics
of irrelevancy. |
| The
Many Rulers of Afghanistan Today (05/31/03) |
| If you think
Hamid Karzai is the sole ruler of Afghanistan, think again. Many people
and movements as well as internal and external interests today rule
Afghanistan. Is there a need therefore for a strong central leadership
to pull out the country from its misery and into an era of peace and
prosperity? |
| Voter
Registration in Afghanistan (15/25/03) |
| For those
who are hopeful for a democratic Afghanistan to emerge from this maze
of political uncertainties, and to embark on the democratic process
of elections for its president, it is to be said that the proof of
the pudding is in the eating. If sufficient preparations are made
in good time and just measures are adopted, one could be optimistically
looking forward to the emerging of the democratic Afghanistan that
is the objective of its true sons and its international friends. However,
it is not only the ingredients that are important, but also the conditions
prevailing prior, during and after the promulgation of the new Afghan
constitution that would provide for elections. |
| Which
Karzai? Which Masoud? (05/10/03) |
|
Afghanistan is in dire need of educated and qualified government
officials and personnel to lead the country out of the abyss in
which it is in today. Reconstruction is a grave and formidable job.
There should be no place for nepotism in the country's present government
system. Nepotism would weaken an already weak central government
and would alienate both the public and qualified Afghans from the
central authority depriving the country of the services of educated
technicians and experienced individuals.
|
| US
Major Combat Operations End in Afghanistan or Do They? (05/02/03)
|
| US major
combat operations in Afghanistan have come to an end. A period of
stabilization and reconstruction would follow. Donald Rumsfeld the
US Secretary of State in a visit to Afghanistan last week is reported
to have talked about the change of emphasis. But observers believe
that many of the original objectives of the US military excursion
are not fully met yet. Osama Bin Laden and Mulla Omar both are at
large. Reports talk of regrouping of some Taleban and Al-Qaeda elements.
Security has not been achieved fully in the country. Nation building
is still to be achieved. Reconstruction is still to start at earnest.
Would it therefore be possible for the US military to call major military
activity terminated? Would it be so that in reality the US military
objectives would suddenly change from combat to reconstruction, from
the use of the gun to the use of the shovel, from hot battles to helping
in social and economic development? |
| Afghan
Constitution-Two Months to Ponder (04/25/03) |
| A Review
Commission of 33-members has been assigned to review the preliminary
draft of the new Afghan. The Commission has two months to complete
the review and prepare a final draft for consideration of a Constitutional
Loya Jirga in October. The task is monumental, yet extremely important.
In the review process all interested Afghans are expected to participate.
They should. The document is looked upon as the most important national
guide for leading towards peace, justice, unity and democracy in Afghanistan.
|
| Afghan
Politics and the "Rohrabacher Effect" (04/20/03) |
| Sometimes
even an influential foreign well-wisher's comments and advice could
have repercussions on a country's political situation. This paper
focuses on an example of the same and calls it "Rohrabacher Effect".
Rohrabacher is a famous republican house representative from California.
|
|
The Conqueror of Baghdad in Bagram (04/12/03) |
| A US general
and a US diplomat visited Afghanistan on Friday. The military-cum-diplomatic
visit was to reassure the US military and the allied forces in Afghanistan
as well as Afghanistan's transitional government of the continued
interest of the United States. But to the common man in the fields
of Afghanistan, such visits remain only in diplomatic domain unless
he sees the results of the cooperation in the form of universal security
in the country, starting, in earnest, of the process of reconstruction
and practical input in boosting local efforts in all spheres of production
especially agriculture and above all empowerment of a strong central
government with democratic provincial freedoms. Only then there would
be an assurance that the US forces would be truly called forces of
liberation and not those of occupation. |
| Reformists,
Fundamentalists and the New Afghan Constitution (04/04/03) |
| The constitution
drafting committee seems to have come up with a draft that it has
presented to the head of the transitional government of Afghanistan.
The new constitution is expected to have dealt with major issues of
vital importance to Afghanistan today and tomorrow. Since the draft
is still to be scrutinized by another 30-member commission and debated
upon by a constitutional Loya Jirga this coming October, it is worthwhile
to have a look at some of the important issues related to it. |
|
Positioning by New Political Parties in Afghanistan (03/29/03)
|
| True Islamic
Mujahids did not fight wars to obtain personal power or positions
of power within the ruling cliques. Contemporary Afghan Mujahids did
and do. They have high claims for power in the country and say the
nation owns them positions of power because they fought for the country's
freedom. In dong this they ignore the thousands upon thousands of
lives sacrificed by true freedom loving Afghans who fought and gave
their lives for freedom and not for obtaining of government positions.
To balance factional politics and the politics of arms and warlordism,
many new political parties have established or joined coalitions in
order to position or reposition themselves for the campaign ahead
of them at the end of the transitional government in a year's time.
|
| Now
Roze Festival of the Red Flower (03/22/03) |
Historical
relics confirm social life in existence in present day Afghanistan
more than twenty thousand years ago. |
Massive
Disarming of the Factional Fighters
Is it a Day Dream? |
| Karzai has
announced a program for massive disarming of factional fighters to
take place in a few weeks time. This he wants done with the help of
$51 million he was able to get for the purpose at a conference in
Tokyo. Is such a disarmament feasible? What are some of the difficulties?
Why is he not declaring a program to get rid of warlordism? |
| The
Women of Afghanistan (03/08/03) |
| One of the
areas where money could be raised rather easily is for the cause of
women. It has become fashionable also that everyone and especially
the politicians use the cause of women to promote their own agendas.
The need to empower women any where and especially in a third world
country such as Afghanistan cannot be ignored. The objective of serving
the cause of women is a noble one. What is needed in this area is
not the flowery speeches by the politicians or the uncoordinated fund
raising and projects by a variety of organizations and NGO's. A national
plan based on achievable objectives with set priorities is what is
needed. This does not exist and must be brought about in the case
of Afghanistan. Afghan women who have suffered greatly are to be saluted
for their resilience and encouraged to look into the future with hope. |
| Karzai
Returns Home Poorer but Wiser! (03/02/03) |
| Concluding
a not very successful trip to the US, the Afghan President returned
home. He wanted the US to note that his country was in dire need of
money pledged and not delivered. He delivered his message, but the
response was not very positive. Was his delivery to blame? Were there
listening ears? Whatever the answer to these questions may be, he
returned home, poorer, but hopefully, wiser! |
| Is
the Non Alignment Movement Obsolete? (02/22/03) |
| 114 countries
are a lot of countries. They had joined a movement called the Non
Alignment. It was when the world was bipolar with two opposing blocs
poised as rivals against each other. Now the situations have changed
drastically in our world. Unipolarity is slowly replacing the bipolar
attitudes. The surviving superpower assumes more powers as international
checks and balances vanish. The NAM finds itself facing the question
of nonaligned with whom? Would the fast changing world today allow
for the movement to survive or would it force it to oblivion? Could
world leaders of today such as Mubarak of Egypt, Karzai of Afghanistan
and many others really be called non-aligned? |
| Political
Satire (02/08/03) |
| As a testimony
to the resilience and the fact that the Afghan nation is alive and
awake and mature and concerned, one could look at the emerging political
satire as a media perhaps better suited as a vehicle for propagation
of ideas, messages and suggestions. |
| The
Resurgence of the Left (02/02/03) |
| The far
left and the far right both failed drastically in Afghan politics
as they both sacrificed the interests of the nation either for their
personal gains or the service of their foreign masters. The new move
by the former communist elements who have started to claim a place
in the democratic process must be taken as an opportunistic move by
an otherwise dying political movement and must be dealt with definitively.
On the other hand the far right must also be harnessed and centrist
progressive trend must be encouraged. In all of this the right of
the nation to decide must be upheld and work should be started to
prepare for general and free elections as was expected by the fateful
Bonn Agreement on Afghanistan. |
| National
Security or National Resistance (01/25/03) |
| The Afghan
Deputy Defense Minister has said that former Mujahedin "were
the real inheritors of the Afghan nation because they were the ones
who defended the honor, religion, and territorial integrity of Afghanistan."
He has also talked about the need for forming of a national resistance
force without specifying any function for it. In reality, Afgahnsitan
needs a truly effective national army, not necessarily in the monopoly
of the so called Mujahideen, and certainly not a resistance
force. |
| The
Enemy Called Routine (01/18/03) |
| Development
and change push nations forward, routine keep them in stagnation.
It is feared that the transitional government in Afghanistan is slowly
drifting into a killer routine, away from change, from reconstruction,
from urgent tasks of nation building and preparation for a permanent
government . |
| Pros
and Cons of Federalism in Afghanistan (Paper) |
| Apathetic
Afghan Intelligentsia (12/21/02) |
| If the Afghan
intelligentsia were not apatheric, it would have already produced
an avalanche of research papers, plans and projects for the reconstruciton
and nation building in Afghanistan and would have taken part directly
in the process. Unfortunately presently, neither the transitional
government nor the intelligentsia have met the challenge. Both have
responsibilities in building up of the much needed cooperation and
both have failed in fuflilling of this need. |
| Stingers
For Sale (12/14/02) |
| A sound and
balanced arms collection campaign by the transitional government would
help in strengthening of peace and security in the country. The government
could call for help by the United Nations Security Assistance Force.
It should also publicize the disarming campaign by the United States
forces who have confiscated weapons from individuals and also captured
weapons' caches . They should deliver the same, instead of to the
warlords of their choice, to the transitional government. Armed groupings
including warlords prove dangerous to the security of the Afghan nation.
A well thought and balanced arms collection will ensure internal security
and prevent terrorist threats to a great extent. |
| Pros
and Cons of Federalism in Afghanistan (Paper) |
| There exist
little reliable statistics to show the composition of population in
the country. Estimates are widely varying according to the sources
that make them. For example the majority Pashtuns make from 40 to
54 per cent of the population while the closest minority of Tajiks
are estimated anywhere between 30 to 38 percent. Next in percentage
is the Hazara Afghans who make between 8 to 15 percent. |
| Return
of the Commies (11/30/02) |
| Reports of
the return of Afghan communist elements to Afghanistan is not a good
omen for the nation, for the transitional government or the people
of Afghanistan. It was these elements who sold their souls and their
soil to the Soviets and began the misery Afghanistan finds itself
today. |
|
Energy to Energize Reconstruction (11/22/02) |
| Those who
dreamed of an opportunity to plan on a clean slate for developing
of a country now have their chance to do so in Afghanistan. For Afghanistan's
reconstruction there is a dire need for energy. It is high time that
not only Afghanistan's oil and gas be seriously considered and explored
as valuable resources, but that new technology available today should
also be considered. These may include solar arrays, wind farms, geothermal
installations and biomass fuels. Let Afghan wind and sunshine plus
the depth of her bosom and the mass of her plant and animal wastes
serve her and participate in meeting her needs for energy. |
|
Money for Afghanistan (11/15/02) |
| There is
always a difference between money pledged as aid to recipient countries
and delivered by the donors. Some times the donors reason that not
meeting their pledges is caused by the recipient country's inability
to come up with sound projects based on priorities and auditable financial
accounting system. So far, they have mostly preferred to give money
to NGOs and United Nations system rather than Afghan government reconstruction
programs directly. The transitional government needs to study the
issue and come up with solid economic development plans to satisfy
the donors and to start serious reconstruction in the country. |
| The
Many Perils of Afghan Life (11/08/02) |
| A light was
lit at the end of the dark tunnel that would lead Afghans out of their
miseries of the Taleban regime. That light, so far, has remained just
the tiny light it was when the Taleban regime was toppled. |
| Warlords'
Guns, Gunmen and Human Rights (11/02/02) |
| Abstract:
In post-Taleban Afghanistan it was expected that the country would
soon be brought under the rule of law and human rights abuses would
stop immediately. In this endeavor, the world at large and specifically
the United States and the United Nations would render effective help.
A recent report by Human Rights Watch group states that those hopes
are shattered and that their is need for coordinated efforts by the
UN, the US and the Karzai government to find an effective solution
to the rather urgent need of correcting human rights abuses mostly
in the hands of warlords. |
| Karzai,
a Stooge or a National Leader (10/26/02) |
| Hamid Karzai,
as a politician wanted to keep everyone, including the warlords, and
self interested people, happy. This caused many to pose the question
of whether he was a stooge or a national leader. But if you stand
up for a cause, you cannot keep everyone happy. He has now for the
first time stood up valiantly and spoken of the misuse of power and
looting by members of his government who should otherwise work for
the reconstruction of Afghanistan. His last Thursday's speech to a
seminar of judges has helped endear him the common man in the country. |
| What
Goes on in Pakistan Could Affect Afghanistan's Social and Political
Institutions (10/20/02) |
| Developments
in Pakistani politics as a result of the recent elections could influence
affairs in Afghanistan. This paper discusses some aspects of these
developments regarding the form of the government which would emerge
as a result in Pakistan, the issue of religious parties overwhelming
success in Pakistani elections and the poor results of nationalistic
Pushtoon parties in Pakistan |
The
Formidable Task of Drafting a Constitution
The Need to Define Democracy (10/11/02) |
| Finally,
Mr Karzai has introduced members of the constitutional commission
that is entrusted with the formidable task of drafting of a new Afghan
constitution for an Afghanistan that has emerged from a quarter century
of war. The commission consists of experienced scholars of good repute
and standing. It has many issues and problems to look at and resolve.
Some of these are explained in this article. If the commission carries
out its task in the scholarly fashion that is expected of it, it is
apparent that it would find its place in Afghan history as a nation
builder. It is expected of it also that it should not allow any other
interest, foreign or domestic, but the national interests of Afghanistan
to influence its work. |
| The
Many Armies of Afghanistan (10/05/02) |
| There are
thousands of armed men in Afghanistan . They do not make the national
army. Karzai, apparently has opted to see the national army made up
man by man. The arduous and long process has so far yielded no more
than about a thousand men who have completed training in the hands
of the US and or International Assistance and Security Forces. The
other armed men have their allegiances placed with their commanders
the warlords. These many armies are either in conflict or collusion
in order to fight each other or a third warlord. The nation suffers
and craves a national army to keep peace. |
| Capitalism,
Power of the Poor and the Reconstruction of Afghanistan (09/27/02) |
| Hernando
de Soto, one of the world's top economic consultants, has been asked
by President Karzai to present proposals for fighting problems of
refugees, poverty and violence. De Soto is of the opinion that economic
problems of many of the developing nations' poor are the same and
they can be solved by empowering the poor to utilize their so called
"dead" capital for capitalism and eventual prosperity. There
is little doubt that De Soto is an outstanding authority in his field.
What is important to realize though, is that Afghanistan's problems
are uniquely Afghan that may require more of an Afghan solution, before
rendering themselves to models of international solutions. |
| A
US General on a Diplomatic Mission! (09/22/02) |
| General Dan
McNeill, commander of the US forces in Afghanistan embarked upon a
diplomatic mission of mediation between the two warlords in the South
and west of Afghanistan. It shows a tendency for changing the role
of the US military in Afghanistan also to encompass politics and diplomacy.
Could this help in further befriending of the Afghans with the US
military? |
| Karzai
Gets to Tell the World (09/14/02) |
| In a beautiful
speech, the Afghan president assured the world that his government
programs were on track, that he still needed the international community
to deliver on their promises and that his vision for Afghanistan in
his own words was: " My vision of Afghanistan is of a modern
State that builds on our Islamic values promoting justice, rule of
law, human rights and freedom of commerce, and forming a bridge between
cultures and civilizations; a model of tolerance and prosperity based
on the rich heritage of the Islamic civilization." He could and
should have told the world about some of his urgent problems as well. |
Fool
Me Once, the Shame's On You, Fool Me Twice, the Shame's on Me
Terror in the Heart of Kabul (09/06/02) |
| In the past
two decades the land of the Afghans was used by Arab extremist groups
who lived in Afghanistan in the guise of guests. The Afghans were
fooled indeed to let the so called guests committ atrocities against
humanity, but the shame was on the guests. Now that terror has stricken
in their own homeland, they pause and ponder over the fact whether
to let terrorists fool them again. But this time the shame will be
theirs. |
| To
Find the Right Balance (08/29/02) |
| To deliver
a country from extremist tendencies requires a lot of work and an
effort to find the middle way so that pushing it into the other extreme
is avoided. But what is that middle road? It is the nation and its
intelligentsia to define the middle road and explain the balance between
extremes. The government must play a catalyst in this regard. Has
the transitional government of Afghanistan played catalyst in this?
Apparently not. |
| Money
Counts Even When There is no Money to Count (08/23/02) |
In matters
of ordinary and developmental administration of any
country, and in this case especially of Afghanistan, money counts.
But money
has to be there to be counted. If a prosperous Afghanistan, as is
justly
believed, is essential for regional and international peace, then
the
international community should come to its rescue now and contribute
to its
peaceful running and reconstruction. |
| Politics
of Cricket and Baseball (08/19/02) |
| There is
a fine line between being a friendly force or an occupation force.
The US military forces in Afghanistan have to walk that delicate line
to achieve their objectives while building benevolent friendship with
the Afghans. |
| No
More a Haven for Terrorists or Terrorist Training (08/09/02) |
| Now that
Afghanistan is no more a haven for terrorist training let it be a
peaceful center for humanitarian assistance and economic development.
Let the US military mission include building of peace and maintaining
of the much needed security for the sake of improving the nation's
social and economic well being. |
Adopt
a Province
Afghanistan's Reconstruction Needs a Scientific Approach (08/02/02) |
| While many
politicians in Afghanistan and worldwide use the issue of Afghanistan's
reconstruction for a variety of their own agendas, little has happened
on the ground in Afghanistan to better the lot of its people or open
up opportunities for its future development. Most of the money pledged
for reconstruction still remains as pledges. Technicians and material
are still awaited to be organized and utilized for the purpose. One
of the tactics for reconstruction aid to Afghanistan has been highlighted
by a report that Japan wants to use Kandahar as one of its reconstruction
aid programs to Afghanistan. The idea of adopting provinces and regions
as a tactic in delivering of assistance seems worth serious consideration.
And all of the above require economic development planning based on
scientific principles. The transitional government will do well to
embark upon such planning and soon. |
| Dark
Clouds Over Afghan Politics (07/26/02) |
| At a time
in the history of Afghanistan that an elected government should embark
upon numerous economic development projects and social recovery, the
country is plummeting into an abyss of uncertainty where divisive
forces get a chance to play their evil role and to kill the slightest
glimmer of hope for the country's resuscitation. |
| Come
Technocrats! Come One Come All! (07/20/02) |
| Money and
manpower, both in short supply in Afghanistan, are needed for the
process of reconstruction to begin in earnest. What is being done
by the transitional government in this regard is not clear as reconstruction
does not happen because politicians give it lip service. Trained and
experienced manpower will help. In the diaspora there are people with
the experience and knowledge that could help. But conditions inside
the country need to be favorable for their return and contribution.
Maintaining of security is one of the most essential preconditions
for this to happen. |
| Is
the Afghan Government Meeting the Challenge (07/12/02) |
| There is
a great need for a strong, viable and authoritative transitional government
for the transitional period in Afghanistan. All indications point
to weaknesses of the transitional authority and apathy for seeking
of remedy for the situation. It is perhaps time that serious consideration
is given to making the transitional government, viable, useful, and
action oriented. |
After
the Fanfare
The Big Challenge (07/05/02) |
| Now that
the fanfare is over, the turban and the karakul cap worn and displayed
by Mr.Karzai, applause subsided and the great tent of the Loya Jirga
emptied, it is time for president Karzai to get his act together and
to launch the great task of rebuilding the nation. |
| Imbalanced
Governance of Karzai (6/30/02) |
| While conformity
and compromise are necessary tools in the hands of the politicians,
they should never be allowed to disturb the balance of power of the
leader, or lead to discontent of the nation. In either case, consequences
will be grave. It is also true that certain politicians are looked
upon as magicians who have mastered many tricks to implement their
act and some even with more tricks up their sleeves. But Karzai's
hands are empty and so are his sleeves and especially his pockets.
And he has to walk a sharp and narrow line. His cabinet has not been
able to provide him the balance he needs. |
The
Two Faces of the Afghan Loya Jirga
Did Democracy Prevail? (06/19/02) |
| The long
awaited Loya Jirga began and ended in the capital Kabul in Afghanistan.
It went down the annals of history as an effort by the Afghans to
apply democratic process in determining of the fate of their country.
The Jirga had few successes, but many problems. Some of those are
discussed here. |
From
Under the Great Tent of the Loya Jirga
Hope Continuity or Change (06/08/02) |
| Monday June
10, 2002 will see a great event realized in the old city of Kabul,
the capital of Afghanistan. The event, the great assembly of the Afghans
known as Loya Jirga will make fateful decisions for the establishment
of a transitional government for Afghanistan. This paper will study
some aspects of what is expected from the Jirga. Would it opt for
continuity or change? Would it decide on revival of the monarchy or
plush for a republican system? What roles it would assign to the current
players of politics in the country? So we will all watch for the word
that would be heard from under the great tent. The Jirga has been
expected for so long to perform the miracle of brining unity to a
country that has been divided by enemy design for the past quarter
of a century. Its importance has been overplayed to the degree that
it keeps all watchers of Afghan affairs in suspense, great suspense,
to wait for the outcome of the great decision by a great assembly
from under a big tent. |
| On
the Issue of a National Army for Afghanistan (05/31/02) |
| A small force
of 600 troops were trained a presidential guards by the British forces
in Afghanistan. It served as a nucleus for efforts to build a national
army for Afghanistan. Presently another batch of about 500 is receiving
military training to become part of the national army. It is estimated
that the Afghan national army should have 60,000 troops that would
be supported by 8,000-strong air force, 12,000 border guards and some
70,000 police. For the national army to grow to these strengths, both
time and patience are required. Afghanistan is short of both. But
a national army is a must for ensuring success of the current efforts
for nation building in Afghanistan and especially for the success
of the decisions of its forthcoming Loya Jirga. |
|
Good Money-Bad Money and Afghanistan (05/25/02) |
| Some people
dumped arms in Afghanistan so that Afghans would continue their futile
war against their own. Some flooded Afghanistan with money-bad money,
to influence realization of their own nefarious interests. 'Bad money'
contributed to a dark era in the life of the country. Now is time
for 'good money' to play its role in the rebuilding of the devastated
infrastructure of the country and to be used for nation building.
This brief article touches on new developments regarding money and
the rebuilding of Afghanistan. |
| Would
the Magic Really Happen? (05/17/02) |
| Almost all
Afghans expect a miraculous outcome to the forthcoming Loya Jirga
in favor of peace and security in their land. A consideration of their
wishes would show that their expectations from the Loya Jirga is a
long order that the Jirga may not be able to deal with because of
its limitation of time and definition of its expected agenda that
includes deciding on a transitional government. All of this in only
six days is equivalent to expecting of a true miracle. It is now the
responsibility of the Loya Jirga preparation machinery to ensure just
and equitable representation to the Loya Jirga and guarantee that
all tricks are banned to be played in this last game in Afghan politics.
It is also upon the participants of the Jirga whoever they may be
to ensure just and democratic conduct of the Jirga in a way that would
bring about a solution to the long suffering of the Afghan nation
and to be a matter of pride for Afghans of tomorrow. |
| Human
Rights Report Jolts Warlords (05/11/02) |
| For the first
time in contemporary Afghan history, a number of warlords sit in open
meeting to listen to a report of the atrocities committed by their
alliance against humanity. For the first time, these warlords admonish
their commanders and demand of their troops to observe human rights.
Is this an awakening of the conscience in otherwise heartless warlords
and commanders who only knew how to kill? Should this change, from
how to kill to how to live, be taken as a good omen for a new peaceful
Afghanistan that is in the making and where human rights are expected
to be upheld and true fraternity to reign, or should it be taken as
another attempt by warlords to forgive themselves and their troops
for the atrocities of the past? |
| Politics
of the Afghani (05/04/02) |
| Afghanistan,
on the verge of its greatest reconstruction era and at a time that
it has welcomed back between 300,000 to 400,000 of its refugees from
Iran and Pakistan, needs a viable currency. Apparently the Afghani
as it is today cannot respond to meet the need, as it is subject to
use and abuse by a variety of warlords and their establishments.
Also, the time is ripe to cut the war mongering characteristics
of the Afghani and introduce its new and proper use for the reconstruction
of a devastated land. Furthermore, the influence of the warlords
over the Afghan currency should be cut out
|
| The
Social and Political Maze of Afghan Life Today and Tomorrow (04/28/02) |
| Hardly out
of the quagmire of extremism and hardly recovering from having been
tricked to serve as the haven for terror groups, Afghanistan today
seems like a labyrinth full of hopes, uncertainties and problems.
Prevailing conditions in Afghanistan make her an excellent specimen
for a variety of social and political studies where past theories
and hypotheses could be tested and retested and new discoveries could
be made. It can become a great sample for the study of national and
international politics in this dawn of the 21st century. It could
define or redefine international interests and relations in a world
that is sharply divided between the haves and the have-nots. Here
you could experience all forms of neocolonial trends, military and
otherwise, and economic competition between and among regional and
world economic powers. Here you could observe intrigue, local, regional
and international for grasping of power and expanding areas of influence.
It is in that context that this paper is laying out a frame of the
present conditions and trends in Afghanistan today that may affect
its tomorrow. |
| The
Last Card Dealt is the King (4/19/02) |
| In the political
card game in Afghanistan, the last card was dealt on Thursday when
the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah returned to Kabul
after 29 years of living in exile. It is significant to note that
this might be the last card available to the nation.
Thus also, in the political chess game in Afghanistan, the King
was played. It seems that it is one of the last moves in the game
before an eventuality is acquired in the long process of both despair
and hope over finding of a solution to the Afghan problem.
The fact is this last card that has been dealt and has been found
out to be the King, must be played cautiously, and with hope. It
is also hoped that the former King would this time around place
his confidence in true sons of the country and jointly with them
utilize the opportunity provided him and the nation by the Bonn
meeting, for leading of a truly representative Loya Jirga. And the
Loya Jirga should be directed in such a way to work without undergoing
any influence by any person or power, be it local, regional or international.
It should and must represent the wishes of the nation and consider
the lofty ideal of the interests of Afghanistan. The Afghan nation
deserves true justice rather than factional politics. The Afghan
nation needs unity among all its ethnic groups. The Afghan nation
wants all Afghan tribes to be and feel as equal brothers and sisters
and to jointly and equally bear responsibility for the maintenance
of peace and for rebuilding of their devastated country.
|
Zia
and Weis Royalties of Sorts
The future of Afghanistan (4/13/02) |
| Last week,
Zia Masoud, Ahamd Shah Masoud's brother and Mir Weis, the former Afghan
King's son spoke in Moscow and Rome on the issue of Afghanistan's
future, the Loya Jriga and the role of the former King. These interviews
were very revealing of the stands of the two parties on issues of
vital national importance to the Afghan nation. This papers casts
a quick look on some of these issues. |
| Night
Letters and Conspiracies (04/05/02) |
| It is a fact
that the US forces did play an important role in the liberating of
the country from Taleban and their so-called guests, who used Afghanistan
for their expanded operations worldwide against the interests of the
United States and Saudi Arabia. In order for the US to be looked upon
as forces of liberation, it needs to plan its stay in Afghanistan
pragmatically. It needs to share its plan and time-line regarding
its troops in Afghanistan with the Afghans. It further needs to take
a more active part in helping the Afghans keep peace and lay the foundation
of a democratic and peaceful country ready not only to recuperate,
but also the embark on a revival of its economic base and development.
It should support world aid in peace keeping missions in Afghanistan
as well as demilitarizing of the militia and factions in favor of
a national army consisting of all ethnic groupings in Afghanistan.
It should express clearly its opposition to warlordism that has caused
wide spread devastation and hundreds of thousands of lives in Afghanistan.
In that capacity, it would continue to ride over popular emotions
of appreciation and thankfulness and would thus help in preventing
resent and antagonism.
|
| The
If(s) and When(s) of Zahir Shah's Return (03/23/02) |
| There was
news of yet another delay in the former King's return to Afghanistan.
This adds to innumerable if(s) and when(s) in the long story of his
return to Afghanistan. The former King's return and his ascension
to the seat of power in Afghanistan in whatever name it may be has
a variety of implications. This paper tries to touch on some |
| Fremont
Kabul's Sister (03/15/02) |
| The United
States Department of State and Sister Cities International had, last
fall, suggested establishment of a sister-city relationship between
Fremont and Kabul. Last week's meeting in Washington, D.C. decided
that Kabul situation was not ripe for such a relationship at this
time. Instead it was decided that Fremont should extend humanitarian
assistance to Afghanistan. But the idea of establishment of ties between
Afghan cities and some of the world's advanced cities, especially
during this era of Afghanistan's physical reconstruction seems to
be extremely important. It could not only help in promoting dialogue
between civilizations but could prove mutually beneficial for cities
in the east and the west. Afghan organizations and lovers of Afghanistan
need to work on establishment of such ties. |
The
Magician's Cape
Time to Deliver (03/09/02) |
| The need
of the Afghan nation for peace and prosperity has remained unmet.
The nation and the world expected from the leader of the Interim Authority
something near a miracle to make the country ready for starting off
on the road to physical and psychological recovery. While the "Magician
with the Cape" has scored successes on the international arena,
he has not shown any palpable signs of having laid the foundation
for a new Afghanistan inside. It is time he performs for indigent
population inside the country. |
| Embracing
Techniques of Conflict Resolution (03/02/02) |
| This weekend
a seminar was held in Fremont California. The Conflict Resolution,
Research and Resource Institute Inc., headquartered in Tacoma, Washington
State ran the training program. Cosponsors included the Institute
for Afghan Studies, the Afghan Cultural Society, the Afghan Jarga
and the Afghan Baheer. This was a first in a search for embracing
of techniques for conflict resolution regarding the issue of Afghanistan.
The objectives of the seminar were twofold. It was expected that the
participants get acquainted with conflict resolution techniques that
are available and can be used as tools for resolving a variety of
conflicts. And then use the same in service of peace in Afghanistan.
The Conflict Resolution, Research and Resource Institute expected
to learn whether it could adapt similar training programs for implementing
inside Afghanistan. |
| To
Rule the Unruly (02/213/02) |
| Afghanistan
is in dire need of true security and establishment of the rule of
law. The recent killing of Abdul Rahman, Minister of Aviation and
Tourism in Karzai's cabinet has stirred a number of activities on
the part of the Interim Administration that seeks international forces'
support for its own survival. On the other hand some of the cabinet
members went on expeditions of their own to seek the support of foreign
countries such as India, visited by Dostum, and Russia, visited by
Fahim, for the establishment of a national army for Afghanistan. It
has not been announced if these trips have had the support of Mr.
Karzai.
But truly the answer to the question of how the national army should
be established must not be sought either in Delhi of Moscow. A consensus
is to be found among the movements inside the country for such an
undertaking. It may involve either dismissing the warlords and warlordism
with the help of the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces once and
for all or disarming private and group gunmen or both of the above.
|
Afghan Reconstruction Talk Fever
(02/16/02) |
| Approaching
the issue of reconstruction can be a complicated process, which would
require active participation of the authority in power in Afghanistan
and a unified approach by all others interested in the process. Haphazard
convening of conferences here and there, in America, Europe, Asia
and Australia, to outdo rival groupings in talks about reconstruction
of Afghanistan my not be what Afghanistan needs. Afghanistan needs
a well-thought, scientifically developed plan based on priorities
and short and long-term objectives. For the implementation of such
a plan she needs help in establishing true peace and security in the
country and a political structure inclusive of ideals and wishes of
all its citizens. The present reconstruction talk fever may subside
soon if the recommendations emanating from them would fall on deaf
ears inside Afghanistan where it matters. |
What
is Wrong With Karzai?
The Appearing of a New Politician
(02/09/02) |
| In Afghanistan
where all Afghans see themselves as leaders and no one bows to another
leading the country, more than a green cape and a Karakul cap is required
to be accepted as a leader. Karzai may have felt more at home while
abroad, but he needs to work more at home where challenges are more
abundant to his authority and expectations are much higher from him
and his administration. Maybe one of the things that are wrong with
him is the slow pace of building a team to help him in his difficult
tasks. He has also some very formidable enemies. Among these are "TIME"
and the prevailing disunity between rival groups in the country. Karzai
is a leader who is expected to lead a government that has not been
chosen by him, follow a path that has been dictated to him by the
trend of local and international events and to lead a team, again
not chosen by him but by the United Nations, to prepare for the much
publicized issue of a Loya Jirga to determine the destiny of the Afghan
nation and also map out his own future. |
Shadows
and Spotlights
Partner not Puppet (02/02/02) |
| Chairman
of the Afghan Interim Authority occupied the spotlight in international
arena last week. He traveled to the West to drive a few points home.
He wanted the world to believe that he was a partner not a puppet
of and that Afghanistan was determined to see the total annihilation
of terrorism from its soil. He was seeking partnership for the reconstruction
of Afghanistan and for reasons explained in this paper he also wanted
an expansion of the terms of service and size of the international
peace keeping forces in Afghanistan. Overshadowed by his visit and
international recognition were some other Afghan leaders who are hopeful
of leadership roles in a new Afghanistan. And of course the story
of the warlords is still to be told. Read on and wonder! |
Beyond
Tokyo
On the Long Road to Reconstruction (01/25/02) |
| Last week's
Tokyo conference of donor countries for the reconstruction of Afghanistan
was branded a great success by some politicians. However, the figures
tell us a different story. This article looks at some as examples.
But the road to reconstruction is an arduous one. There are many bends
and obstacles. No country alone can and should try to pave this road
for Afghanistan wholly by itself, nor would anyone dare to. It has
to be the Afghans themselves to shoulder this great and grave responsibility
and design and implement the most scientific plan for reconstruction
with full consideration of the plan's social, economic and political
implications. The question is whether the Interim Authority has or
has considered getting together a team of experts for the purpose?
Funds pledged and funds delivered will never match, nor would they
be enough for the full recovery of the country, the balance is to
be met with foresight, patriotism, devotion and expertise of the Afghans
themselves. They should get into it with their eyes wide open to the
realities and by discarding the mirage of infinite international help,
as all of the help will be finite. This article touches on some aspects
of the outcome of the conference. |
| True
Help or Spoils of Peace (01/19/02) |
| The Tokyo
Conference on Afghan Reconstruction to be held on Monday January 21,
2002 will be one of many such conferences to deal with the needs of
Afghanistan to dress its wounds and to embark upon the great task
of recuperation and reconstruction. People genuinely interested in
Afghanistan would like the Tokyo Conference to be realistic and to
reflect the world conscience in giving a hand to the Afghan nation
to stand on their own. In this, they should consider on a realistic
basis the priorities in reconstruction for Afghanistan, which certainly
goes beyond mine clearing and education. The Tokyo Conference should
provide a vision for a new Afghanistan, economically strong, politically
stable and socially capable to stand strong among the community of
nations in this most sensitive area in South Central Asia |
| As
Afghanistan Calls on Her Sons and Daughters (01/12/02) |
| Afghanistan
needs trained manpower for its reconstruction. Many trained and experienced
Afghans in the West are faced with questions like when to go back?
Where to go to in Afghanistan? Where to live and how to live there?
Who to help? How to maintain their basic livelihoods in the West in
the form of supporting their families and meeting their personal financial
obligations? How effective their help could be? Who, among the policy
makers need their help? Add to the list other questions that come
to your own mind. The Interim Authority could establish a committee
to work on a Manpower and Urgent Investment Programs. Establishment
of such a committee is not difficult, nor does it require, for its
launching stage, enormous sums of money. Should this issue be discussed
at the Tokyo Conference on Reconstruction of Afghanistan and also
with the head of the Interim Authority who is to visit the United
States within a month? |
| Afghanistan
Revisited (01/04/02) |
| No doubt,
recent events in Afghanistan, the reactionary and tyrannical rule
of Taleban and the use of the country by Al-Qaeda organization for
the training of terrorists required a revisit by the United States
that had abandoned this country immediately after the Soviet invading
and occupying forces were forced to retreat. The visit has sweet and
sour repercussions for the Afghans, but may have wonderful results
for the US giant oil companies such as UNOCAL. Some political observers
suggest a link between the choice of President Bush of Dr. Zalmay
Khalilzad an Afghan born former UNOCAL advisor as special representative
of the United States to Afghanistan, to the US desire to see the Turkmen
pipeline project implemented. As for as Afghanistan is concerned,
Khalilzad could be the best person for the job as he not only knows
the country and its needs, but has had a part in the restructuring
of the efforts for finding of a solution to the Afghan problem. The
revisit will also give political dividend to the US in that it would
find a foothold and a friendly government in the hub of South Central
Asia where important countries such as Iran, Pakistan, India, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizistan, and China are located. |
| Don't
Rush to the Bank! At Least Not Yet (12/29/01) |
| Huge amounts
of money are required for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. This
money can be spent appropriately and in accordance to a well-thought
out plan or it can be wasted in corruption, embezzlement and mismanagement.
This is also because unfortunately in many countries the aid money
is treated like the military or secret service budget where the money
is spent and no questions are asked. In the military you do not hold
the soldier responsible to report for every bullet that he has fired.
But in reconstruction it does not have to be so. Every penny should
be used for a particular purpose and should be accounted for. A scientifically
planned, priority based program will reduce many of these problems
enormously and will ensure the proper use of the aid money for the
reconstruction of Afghanistan. However, this is not an easy task and
requires input more by professionals rather than politicians. So the
profit seekers should not rush to the banks. |
| The
New Beginning (12/22/01) |
| A new beginning
was ushered in, in Afghanistan on December 22, 2001. Afghans everywhere
and the world at large watched with anticipation. Not many would know
the full enormity of the task ahead of the interim authority that
took over for a period of six months. But many believe in the power
of love for a nation that might help it achieve its objectives, which
as per their definition are near impossibility. The founding of a
new Afghanistan, literally on the ashes of destruction and building
of a nation on the ruins of an infrastructure are not easy tasks by
any standard. And Karzai is only a human being. |
| Pakistan
Does Not Fold Its Taleban Card (12/15/01) |
| Reports say
Khudamul Furqan Jamiat is launched afresh in Pakistani capital Islamabad.
|
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