In contrast, were war reparations, distributed through an efficient and honest mechanism that kept discontented men busy with the proud work of re-building the basic infrastructure of their own villages and communities, the Taliban, would lack its broad appeal. Ideological loyalty as the result of its past depredations, would gradually recede into irrelevance.
Young Afghans want to learn computers and become famous athletes, not fight. They are of a generation which has known nothing but war. Already Afghanistan is doing remarkable things in world cricket, basketball, wrestling , and other sports. The achievements are even more remarkable considering they arise from a largely malnourished and utterly poverty-stricken population.
After 30 years of constant fighting, there is no will left for war in Afghanistan. But fight they will, if forced into it, fueled by hopelessness, idleness, and simmering anger at past injustices.
The best news of all is that such a vehicle for distributing reparations already exists as a major program within one government ministry. The World Bank calls the National Solidarity Program (NSP) "a government within a government." The NSP is a unique hybrid of a national government department with voluntary financial oversight from an external agency, the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF.) The ARTF collects funds from international country donors, such as the US, and passes them down to the NSP on a project by project, milestone by milestone, basis. The projects are decided on by elected village councils, which include women.
Projects are small and simple but many: clearing canals for irrigation, basic road improvement, livestock walls, schools, all employing Afghans. Improving the infrastructure enables revitalization of the traditional agrarian economy. Dirt roads improved with gravel and re-grading allow farmers to get to market during rainy season. A shorter walk for clean water (3/4 of the country still lacks it) means children can attend school rather than spend days hauling it.
Alone among major development programs in Afghanistan, the NSP received a glowing report from the US Special Inspector General for the Afghanistan Reconstruction.
Unfortunately and unforgivably, in a country where children are freezing to death, the NSP is chronically short of funds by an amount which would equal about what the US spends on war costs in one week, about $2 billion. Were this amount to be diverted to the NSP (through the ARTF) for each of three years, Afghan society would soon be on a stable footing, interested in anything but more war.
The negligence of basic needs is not only immoral; it is against international law as it regards to "occupying powers." The US qualifies after the invasion and overthrow of the Taliban. Article 55 of the 1949 Geneva Convention states:
Art. 55. To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate.
The NY Times Rod Nordland reports on the dead:
- Abdul Hadi, son of Abdul Ghani. He was not even a year old and was already trying to stand, although his father said that during those last few days he seemed more shaky than normal.
- Naghma and Nazia, the twin daughters of Musa Jan. They were only 3 months old and just starting to roll over.
- Ismail, the son of Juma Gul. "He was never warm in his entire life," Mr. Gul said. "Not once." It was a short life, 30 days long.
Donations: The Lamia Afghan Foundation , an American charity started by Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley , is collecting donations for baby formula, blankets, fuel and other emergency items. After a Paypal donation please type "baby formula" into the notes. The George Washington University Afghan Students Association has started a Facebook to support the drive HERE.
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