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John Metzler Archive
Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Unheard voices from Afghanistan's neighbors

UNITED NATIONS — There’s an undeniable upsurge in terrorist violence in Afghanistan. During the past year the beleaguered South Asian country has weathered sustained and growing attacks by the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban fighters — the very same regime which the USA and its allies toppled from power in 2001 in the wake of the Al-Qaida attacks on America. While the West’s military forces have been gradually increased, the incoming American Administration has often spoken of shifting U.S. combat units from to Iraq to Afghanistan as to improve security. We must be more creative.

The UN General Assembly just concluded a debate on Afghanistan. But beyond the tried and true political support and serious military commitments from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the USA among many others, let’s listen to different voices and their views of this very complex situation. Perhaps we can engage some of these quiet players towards solving the problem.

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Turkey’s Ambassador Baki Ilkin perhaps said it best, “Contrary to the doom and gloom scenarios that sometimes appear in the international media, we are not at all pessimistic of the prospects in Afghanistan. Despite continuing challenges mainly in the security, counter-narcotics and the governance fields, we are also aware of the progress being made on many fronts.”

He stressed, “We are committed to help Afghanistan build a secure, stable and prosperous country. Turkey shares unique ties with Afghanistan and thus our commitment to see this country thrive and prosper is deep rooted. …we urge everyone concerned not to be discouraged by some temporary setbacks which are only inevitable in a war-torn country.” Ambassador Ilkin stated unequivocally, “Of course the responsibility to achieve this ultimate objective first and foremost rests on the shoulders of the Afghan people and their government. And they have a long road ahead of them.”

Building on a long standing military commitment, Turkey currently has 800 soldiers in the country, has earmarked $200 million in development aid, and has built/repaired 34 elementary and secondary schools and four hospitals. As a secular Muslim country Turkey presents an important model for Afghan development. The large and well-trained Turkish military moreover, experienced in the some of the very same mountainous terrain as in Afghanistan, should be encouraged offer wider troop support especially since the Ankara government will soon assume a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Japan too has played an extraordinarily role on the humanitarian side. Addressing the Assembly, Tokyo’s delegate Norihiro Okuda states that there has been clear progress. Since the toppling of the Taliban in 2001 the number of school students has soared form one million to more than 5 million in five years. As a major development aid donor, Tokyo has pledged $2 billion dollars. Also soon to gain Security Council non-permanent membership, Japan can play a wider role in supporting humanitarian development.

India, a not-so-distant neighbor from Afghanistan, naturally fears the regional fallout from the ongoing conflict and inevitable spillover from Islamic fundamentalism which often clashes with Hindus and Christians. A member of the Indian parliament stressed, “While we accept the argument that seems to be made more regularly that Afghanistan cannot be secured through military means alone, the converse is also true; without a robust military effort, we cannot secure Afghanistan through any other means either.” India has pledged $1.2 billion in aid for the western part of the country, focused on a major highway, a large hydroelectric project and a major power transmission project.

Seething fundamentalism inside neighboring Pakistan or the effect of a Taliban victory, would energize Islamic extremist forces inside Indian-administered Kashmir.

Australia’s Ambassador Robert Hill, importantly offered delegates stark realism. “There is no question that the Taliban-led insurgency remains a serious threat to sustained progress and to the Afghan people. It is determined to prevail, not on the battlefield, but by sapping our resolve and public support for our endeavors and sacrifices, and through fear and intimidation of the Afghan population.”

“Australia is proud to be part of the around 40 countries contributing forces to assist the Afghans fight the Taliban led insurgency,” the Ambassador stated adding, “These terrorists were behind the attacks as far apart as New York and Indonesia…. Australia is committed — with 1,100 troops, we are the largest non-NATO contributor.” At the same time the Canberra government has donated $600 million for rebuilding schools and hospitals and bridge building.

Beyond the military clashes, the Taliban insurgency has increasingly targeted civilians for intimidation and often execution. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has “unequivocally condemned” numerous civilian deaths and injuries, and called for an end to the “senseless” violence that is plaguing the country.

Currently 33,000 American troops and 38,000 from other countries serve in Afghanistan.

The point is that beyond further burdening the current contributors from the United States and Europe, there’s a need for the incoming Obama Administration to focus on a well-spring of apparent global support, and to creatively cultivate allies, especially Turkey to send additional troops, for Pakistan to seriously crack down on Taliban militants crossing the frontier, and to focus on training a truly viable Afghan army. This is not just America’s job, but a global one.


John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He writes weekly for World Tribune.com.
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