Thursday, May 29, 2008, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429    

Travails of Afghans

Fazal Hakeem

The reported US plan to build new 40 acres detention complex on the Bagram Military base in Afghanistan is indicative of its long term rather permanent stay in the region. The current “cavernous makeshift American prison in Afghanistan is packed with 630 prisoners. Until now it was reported that US wants to transfer the large majority of prisoners to high security prison out side Kabul. Afghan prisoners’ custody is financed by America but guarded by Afghan soldiers. The reported decision could be the result of increasing Afghan prisoners after escalation in opposition forces attacks. Travails of Afghan nation are multiplied. The report says that “ the Pentagon is planning to use $60 million in emergency construction funds this fiscal year to build a complex of 6 to 10 semi-permanent structures resembling Quonset huts, each size of a football field”. Under the reintegration plan, the military is expected to request for 24 million dollars in 2009 and $7.4 million in 2010 for educational program, job training and other purposes. While $7 million will be incurred on training and operations annually.

In October 2001, Afghanistan was attacked to root out the Taliban government. Indiscriminate bombing and destruction through use of weapons of all description except atomic weapons, the Taliban were forced to vacate. Mr. Hamid Karzai was picked up to lead the post-Taliban time. Though he was not the initial choice but after assassination of Commander Abdul Haq, he was chosen. Though Taliban are no more in government since November 2001 their strengthen is fait accompli. Taliban actions are reminding the occupational forces that ignoring them would be suicidal. Certainly, disagreement and coordination problems within the International Occupational forces has caused delay in combating the Taliban phenomenon.

Behind the façade of UNO, American mandarins had been able to remove the Taliban. Their time’s excellent law and order and bringing poppy cultivation to almost zero level is an established fact. Currently, the Taliban fighting the occupational forces through income derived from poppy cultivation. They provide protection to poverty stricken and unemployed rural masses and in turn they get taxes to run their anti-government campaign. For its strategic objectives, NATO was made involved in Afghanistan. The experience in the mountainous and landlocked Afghanistan confronted the NATO forces with different and difficult situation. NATO countries have more than 30,000 troops in Afghanistan. They are busy in imparting training to Afghan forces. While 47,000 NATO forces are engaged in rehabilitation, reconstruction and development and combating the opposition forces.

Last month’s Bucharest conference was a manifestation of occupational forces failure in Afghanistan. During the summit President Bush had tried to persuade the NATO partners to dispatch more forces to Afghanistan. NATO Secretary General had appealed for 10,000 more troops. Despite strong appeals by President Bush and UN Secretary General, Georgia agreed to send 500, Poland 400 France 700 and Italy agreed to provide equipment. The Bucharest conference agreed to raise the NATO forces up to 80,000 by 2010. Press reports suggest that NATO command, will not be able to get control before 2011 of the provinces where the opposition forces are giving tough time. Bucharest summit indicated to give the control of Kabul’s outskirts to Afghan forces but remained silent over the complete exit. Questions are being asked for failures in Afghanistan. Analysts view the disagreement and lack of coordination problems within the international military command comprising forces of 40 nations from Albania to Iceland and USA to Britain to root out the opposition forces in Afghanistan. The opposition forces have quarantined the international air force to the perimeter of the base. They are in a commanding position in major towns in Southern Afghanistan.

Certainly, NATO multinational forces have divergent views on a coordinated strategy could also effect the operations. Some may emphasize on civic action with local while for other security issue must take precedence. Though US Marines are known to complete the task within hours and days. In case of Afghanistan, they could not deliver. In Southern Afghanistan 17,522 allied forces including Marines are engaged. NATO previous combat experience was air war in Serbia. For the first time in Afghanistan, the allied forces have to coordinate ground combat among forces speaking different languages and use different radio frequency.

In view of rising Taliban activities, opposition National Front leaders are meeting Taliban leadership to stem the tide of violence in Afghanistan. But the National Front’s own record confirms that their purpose is to advance their powers. These so-called Jehadi leaders are responsible for civil war in Afghanistan that paved the way for the Taliban emergence in 1994 from Kandahar the home of town of President Hamid Karzai. Former President Burhanuddin (1992-96) in a statement after meeting stated “ there is no doubt that some inside the Taliban are not willing to negotiate, but there are some Taliban who are interested in solving problems. There is a consensus that solution for political processes is possible through negotiations only”. In the same spirit puppet Hamid Karzai had met the Taliban leadership in April 2007 in an attempt to negotiate peace. National Front leaders are in the process to constitute a committee for talks among the opposition, Taliban, and the government. The strategy is being devised at the time when the USA is planning to deploy more troops in war torn Afghanistan. In Southern Afghanistan fighting between the Taliban and NATO/Afghan forces is going on. Perhaps a day passes without any casualty on both sides.

The fallout of so-called Afghan Jehad is ominous for Pakistan. The tribal areas are badly shattered. Pakistan has deployed more than 80,000 troops to protect and control the movement along the 1600 kilometers long porous border. The new government has offered to hold talks with opposition in the area to renounce violence. 15 points peace agreement with opposition through tribal elders is indicative of serious situation. US mandarins are not in favor of any such deal. However, it is for the Government of Pakistan and not USA to decide as to how peace could be ensured. The off and on unwarranted propaganda that the Pakistani tribal areas are becoming safe haven for terrorists future attacks. More than 1000 innocent people including former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto are died . Release of pro-Taliban leader Sufi Muhammad last month was also aimed to end violence.

Geographical proximity and multidimensional relationship with Afghanistan are the primary reasons that Pakistan considers peaceful Afghanistan in its own interests. There is a need that instead of blaming Pakistan for internal failures in Afghanistan, the issues should be resolve through the tripartite Commission. To harp on an unfounded notion that foreign fighters have safe sanctuary in tribal areas of Pakistan will be a bad recipe. Situation in Afghanistan demands immediate exit of foreign troops. It is for the Afghan themselves to decide as to how govern the country through an elected President and parliament rather to execute the strategies that are not in consonance with their traditions and culture.