THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS OF AFGHANISTAN
Imran Khan
April 18, 2007
Eight Canadian soldiers have been killed since 8th April and Five United Nation’s support workers also lost their lives on 17th April in Taliban insurgents’ attacks. For last three days Taliban fighters carried out series of coordinated attacks on Afghan security forces. These events clearly reflect the worsening situation in Afghanistan. Taliban have announced “Spring Offensive” against afghan and International forces and these acts can be presumed as a start of it.
But Col. Mike Cessford, deputy commander of Canadian Task Force Afghanistan, has denied it and said “We've taken casualties that we haven't before. But, if you listen to what the Taliban are saying, they're talking hundreds and multiple attacks. These are two separate instances, widely dispersed. It is a spike in casualties, obviously. But again, certainly I am not convinced that we are seeing a spring offensive.''
So if Col. Mike is right and so-called “Spring Offensive” has not yet started but still Canada can suffer so many casualties within few days, what would be the situation if Taliban starts a “Spring Offensive”? Certainly, as it looks, it would bring more violence and deaths for many others also.
The question always raises in minds that why things are getting worst with every passing year in Afghanistan? Taliban rule was over in 2001 and one would have thought that with the passage of time situation would become normal. On grounds, it is opposite to that and instead of situation getting good, is deteriorating. But, why?
The answer to this question, if you ask afghan government, will be that it is all because of Taliban’s cross border infiltration from Pakistan and their neighbor is not doing enough to stop it. Even they accuse Islamabad as a friend of Taliban. But for many experts who examine the things with great details, these are false claims and tactics to hide their own great mistakes. Off course, that is a problem but core problems are within Afghanistan but not from outside. Taliban are getting stronger in Afghanistan, and there are continuing fights between them and coalition forces in provinces near the Iranian border, so how they reached there?
Democratic government of Afghanistan has made new constitution, new laws for the betterment of Afghanis, have not been able to practically implement it and that is the real problem. The situation for poor Afghanis is as worst as it was in the past. Though there is a central government in place but much of the Afghanistan is under the brutal rules of the warlords, who are part of the government and make their own decisions about things in their areas. Injustice, high corruption levels are not making things easy there and many Afghans have voiced against it. Afghan government receives millions of dollars of aid and, in many cases, instead of this money being used for the welfare of the people, ends up financing the opulent lifestyles of warlords.
One must never forget that how Taliban came into force in Afghanistan. When Russian left Afghanistan in 1988, there should have been peace and government should have worked for the common Afghani citizens. But it was not the case and for many years warlords fought against one another only to rule and no one thought about the people. Since there was no justice, resultantly it created a Taliban movement which eventually took the whole country. Their rule is also over now but unfortunately the new government has not learnt the lessons from past.
If people are joining the ranks of Taliban in Afghanistan than there are various strong reasons behind it. When nothing is happening favorably for the people, than they will think of extremism and who ever take advantage of that is another thing. For example, Afghan truck drivers complains about their police and check posts officials for asking money illegally, and in many cases now the drivers have provided services to Taliban for their movements to different locations. It is a tiny example but a very big lesson is hidden in it that how people can change their minds if they are forced to do something like that.
A recent poll found that 60 percent of Afghans said that the US-backed government is more corrupt than the Taliban. Taliban are tying to take the advantage of the situation and saying that under their rule there was no corruption and rule was equal for all.
So problem is very simple and clear that Afghan government should bring changes in their ranks to help the poor people instead of making life difficult for them. Countries like Canada and others should show their concern on these fundamental issues as they are also receiving the aftermaths of the situation.
Coalition forces also aware of these events but their emphasis is mainly on the military assistance to the Afghan government. Recently, Gordon O'Connor, Canadian Minister of National Defence has said, on the issue of widespread Corruption in Afghanistan, "If we see it, we report it to the governor or the President. But it's their sovereign country.” Others also share the same position. Yes, one can say that they are not there to control every thing, but when only military solution can’t end the problem than they have to look for other appropriate measures for a way out. We can see that social injustices are helping Taliban to recruit new members so these issues are directly related to the security of Afghanistan and no one should ignore them. Otherwise, be ready for even worst situation in future.
But Col. Mike Cessford, deputy commander of Canadian Task Force Afghanistan, has denied it and said “We've taken casualties that we haven't before. But, if you listen to what the Taliban are saying, they're talking hundreds and multiple attacks. These are two separate instances, widely dispersed. It is a spike in casualties, obviously. But again, certainly I am not convinced that we are seeing a spring offensive.''
So if Col. Mike is right and so-called “Spring Offensive” has not yet started but still Canada can suffer so many casualties within few days, what would be the situation if Taliban starts a “Spring Offensive”? Certainly, as it looks, it would bring more violence and deaths for many others also.
The question always raises in minds that why things are getting worst with every passing year in Afghanistan? Taliban rule was over in 2001 and one would have thought that with the passage of time situation would become normal. On grounds, it is opposite to that and instead of situation getting good, is deteriorating. But, why?
The answer to this question, if you ask afghan government, will be that it is all because of Taliban’s cross border infiltration from Pakistan and their neighbor is not doing enough to stop it. Even they accuse Islamabad as a friend of Taliban. But for many experts who examine the things with great details, these are false claims and tactics to hide their own great mistakes. Off course, that is a problem but core problems are within Afghanistan but not from outside. Taliban are getting stronger in Afghanistan, and there are continuing fights between them and coalition forces in provinces near the Iranian border, so how they reached there?
Democratic government of Afghanistan has made new constitution, new laws for the betterment of Afghanis, have not been able to practically implement it and that is the real problem. The situation for poor Afghanis is as worst as it was in the past. Though there is a central government in place but much of the Afghanistan is under the brutal rules of the warlords, who are part of the government and make their own decisions about things in their areas. Injustice, high corruption levels are not making things easy there and many Afghans have voiced against it. Afghan government receives millions of dollars of aid and, in many cases, instead of this money being used for the welfare of the people, ends up financing the opulent lifestyles of warlords.
One must never forget that how Taliban came into force in Afghanistan. When Russian left Afghanistan in 1988, there should have been peace and government should have worked for the common Afghani citizens. But it was not the case and for many years warlords fought against one another only to rule and no one thought about the people. Since there was no justice, resultantly it created a Taliban movement which eventually took the whole country. Their rule is also over now but unfortunately the new government has not learnt the lessons from past.
If people are joining the ranks of Taliban in Afghanistan than there are various strong reasons behind it. When nothing is happening favorably for the people, than they will think of extremism and who ever take advantage of that is another thing. For example, Afghan truck drivers complains about their police and check posts officials for asking money illegally, and in many cases now the drivers have provided services to Taliban for their movements to different locations. It is a tiny example but a very big lesson is hidden in it that how people can change their minds if they are forced to do something like that.
A recent poll found that 60 percent of Afghans said that the US-backed government is more corrupt than the Taliban. Taliban are tying to take the advantage of the situation and saying that under their rule there was no corruption and rule was equal for all.
So problem is very simple and clear that Afghan government should bring changes in their ranks to help the poor people instead of making life difficult for them. Countries like Canada and others should show their concern on these fundamental issues as they are also receiving the aftermaths of the situation.
Coalition forces also aware of these events but their emphasis is mainly on the military assistance to the Afghan government. Recently, Gordon O'Connor, Canadian Minister of National Defence has said, on the issue of widespread Corruption in Afghanistan, "If we see it, we report it to the governor or the President. But it's their sovereign country.” Others also share the same position. Yes, one can say that they are not there to control every thing, but when only military solution can’t end the problem than they have to look for other appropriate measures for a way out. We can see that social injustices are helping Taliban to recruit new members so these issues are directly related to the security of Afghanistan and no one should ignore them. Otherwise, be ready for even worst situation in future.
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