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Give peace a chance
(this article was written on 21st december 2008)
Give peace a chance; wie weiter in Afghanistan (what to do further in Afghanistan) was a topic for discussion in a public meeting arranged by Die Gruene (The greens) party of Germany in a town of Erlangen on 20th December 2008. Representatives of four main political parties were invited to present their plans for bringing peace in Afghanistan. The well known author and expert of Afghanistan Mr Christopf R Hoerstel was also invited to present the ground facts and the representatives of political parties were to present their parties point of view and the audience was allowed to comment and put questions regarding this issue. Representatives of two parties FDP and SPD did not attend it, but The green and the Linke (leftist) parties representatives namely Mr Anton Hofreiter and Ms Eva Bulling Schroeter respectively attended the meeting. It was very healthy discussion and the audience used very positively their right of putting questions from the representatives of the parties and also the Afghan expert. The Afghan expert brought the following facts into the public.
After him the representative of the Linke party Ms Eva Bulling Schroeter explained that US interests in details, including its presence in Afghanistan for Iran’s anti-US attitude and its nuclear assets (Germany has no conflict with Iran), Pakistan, its strategic importance and its nuclear assets (for these Germany is not worried), China and its growing economy (Germany is not afraid of it), and for the energy resources in central Asia (Germany has no vested interests also there). She said that she has no interests in Hindukush and also no interest in gas pipeline which will be lengthened form central Asia to Indian subcontinent. But she was for the peace through a fruitful dialogue and withdrawal of German forces.
The green party representative Mr Anton Hofreiter opposed the immediate withdrawal but he suggested the change for strategy, in order to create a situation in which German forces withdrawal will be possible. Although he insisted that we should think seriously for the construction of war torn Afghanistan but we should play a neutral role for peace, but not to fight against any group or so. He gave examples of civil war in Bolivia, Congo etc which were very strongly opposed by audience by saying that in Bolivia or Congo German army was not deployed. So this comparison is very irrelevant, which showed the strong attachment of the public with the Afghanistan issue after the involvement of the German army. German population as a whole too much sensitive about their image in international community and they don’t support any act which can damage their reputation as a neutral nation in the world.
Audience also commented very nicely and raised very interested questions.
However in the end both parties were in favor of withdrawal of German forces and to increase the civil grant for Afghanistan. All this above discussion shows the seriousness of German society ceoncerning Afghanistan issue and their army presence there, although German government increased the number of soldiers in Afghanistan. But such countries cannot stand in front of public opinion for long time. This entire situation highlights the future plans of NATO presence in Afghanistan. Perhaps this is the reason why Hamid Karzai is asking so sincerely Mulla Omer for peace dialogue and promising his security, as western allies are fighting with down moral, weak determination and seeing no future success. This invitation for peace talk is appreciable, and Taliban should think about it seriously. Many columnists and scholars in Pakistan are propagating that Hamid Karzai’s invitation to Mulla Omer is just to increase its popularity and gets the favor of Pashtoon population for next year election. It can also be the reason but it is not the sole reason. Hamid karzai has realized the situation and he knows that western alloys can leave him and then it will be he who has to live with these people if they are hard liners, radical, aggressive, non-tolerant or somewhat else. I will suggest through these lines the rulers of Pakistan including the followers of Great Bacha Khan to take bold steps for dialogue with Taliban without bringing western interests into consideration. Jet Bombers, Gunship Helicopters, Tanks, bullet proofs cars, Civilians Lashkars, cannot bring long lasting peace. Blood cannot be washed with blood. I don’t suggest the conflict policy with western world but our own interest should come first. We should not help western world on our own country cost. Afghanistan and its inhabitants are appreciable that they absorbed such big shocks but at least they never thought for division of the country. I am afraid if Pakistan will be able to absorb such shocks, as just after 3-4 years of war like situation in FATA and Pakhtoonkhwa raised questions on Pakistan’s integrity. Our rulers should think seriously about it.
May Allah bring the ever lasting peace in Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Ameen
(this article was written on 21st december 2008)
Give peace a chance; wie weiter in Afghanistan (what to do further in Afghanistan) was a topic for discussion in a public meeting arranged by Die Gruene (The greens) party of Germany in a town of Erlangen on 20th December 2008. Representatives of four main political parties were invited to present their plans for bringing peace in Afghanistan. The well known author and expert of Afghanistan Mr Christopf R Hoerstel was also invited to present the ground facts and the representatives of political parties were to present their parties point of view and the audience was allowed to comment and put questions regarding this issue. Representatives of two parties FDP and SPD did not attend it, but The green and the Linke (leftist) parties representatives namely Mr Anton Hofreiter and Ms Eva Bulling Schroeter respectively attended the meeting. It was very healthy discussion and the audience used very positively their right of putting questions from the representatives of the parties and also the Afghan expert. The Afghan expert brought the following facts into the public.
- ISAF forces including German army pay money to drug mafia and war lords in order to get protection from Taliban or other fighting groups.
- ISAF forces are fighting with low determination and down moral, which are enough for the defeat.
- 90% population of Germany is in favor of German army withdrawal from Afghanistan.
- Hopes for western democracy in Afghanistan will be a blunder and it is impossible.
- Dialogue with moderate Taliban like Wakeel Ahmad Mutawakkil and Abdulsalam Zaeef will be not as much fruitful as they have separated their ways from the fighting Taliban forces.
- NATO and America should differentiate between Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
- 25-30 % population of Afghanistan is behind Taliban.
- Afghanistan is a multiethnic country with Uzbek, Tajik, Hazara and Pashtoon ethnicities, due to which all should be given due part in government..
- There is too much diversity in Afghanistan as there are many modern, liberal and tolerant and also on the other side much radicals, fanatics, aggressive and hard liners who cannot tolerate others point of view.
- German government has no economic interest in Afghanistan.
After him the representative of the Linke party Ms Eva Bulling Schroeter explained that US interests in details, including its presence in Afghanistan for Iran’s anti-US attitude and its nuclear assets (Germany has no conflict with Iran), Pakistan, its strategic importance and its nuclear assets (for these Germany is not worried), China and its growing economy (Germany is not afraid of it), and for the energy resources in central Asia (Germany has no vested interests also there). She said that she has no interests in Hindukush and also no interest in gas pipeline which will be lengthened form central Asia to Indian subcontinent. But she was for the peace through a fruitful dialogue and withdrawal of German forces.
The green party representative Mr Anton Hofreiter opposed the immediate withdrawal but he suggested the change for strategy, in order to create a situation in which German forces withdrawal will be possible. Although he insisted that we should think seriously for the construction of war torn Afghanistan but we should play a neutral role for peace, but not to fight against any group or so. He gave examples of civil war in Bolivia, Congo etc which were very strongly opposed by audience by saying that in Bolivia or Congo German army was not deployed. So this comparison is very irrelevant, which showed the strong attachment of the public with the Afghanistan issue after the involvement of the German army. German population as a whole too much sensitive about their image in international community and they don’t support any act which can damage their reputation as a neutral nation in the world.
Audience also commented very nicely and raised very interested questions.
- One lady with loud and crying tone with tears in eyes raised a question, did we send our army in Afghanistan to kill Afghan civilians, with giving an example of 2 civilian by German army in August, although German government paid the money to the affected families.
- One another person raised a question, about the goals and time frame of German army presence. He questioned, what will be the final achievement after which German army will come back.
- Also a question was raised about the dialogue with Taliban, that if USA will accept this suggestion and what will be their attitude towards it.
- Also the question was raised about the collateral damages by US bombardments strengthening the Taliban force.
- The revenge in Pashtoons psychology was also discussed.
- The involvement of drug mafia in lengthening the war and involvement of Wali karzai (Hamid karzai’s brother) in drug traffic was also questioned.
- The involvement of CIA and ISI in creating Taliban and the gas pipeline plan was also questioned.
- Also if 25-30% population is behind Taliban, what percentage of population is behind ISAF forces?
However in the end both parties were in favor of withdrawal of German forces and to increase the civil grant for Afghanistan. All this above discussion shows the seriousness of German society ceoncerning Afghanistan issue and their army presence there, although German government increased the number of soldiers in Afghanistan. But such countries cannot stand in front of public opinion for long time. This entire situation highlights the future plans of NATO presence in Afghanistan. Perhaps this is the reason why Hamid Karzai is asking so sincerely Mulla Omer for peace dialogue and promising his security, as western allies are fighting with down moral, weak determination and seeing no future success. This invitation for peace talk is appreciable, and Taliban should think about it seriously. Many columnists and scholars in Pakistan are propagating that Hamid Karzai’s invitation to Mulla Omer is just to increase its popularity and gets the favor of Pashtoon population for next year election. It can also be the reason but it is not the sole reason. Hamid karzai has realized the situation and he knows that western alloys can leave him and then it will be he who has to live with these people if they are hard liners, radical, aggressive, non-tolerant or somewhat else. I will suggest through these lines the rulers of Pakistan including the followers of Great Bacha Khan to take bold steps for dialogue with Taliban without bringing western interests into consideration. Jet Bombers, Gunship Helicopters, Tanks, bullet proofs cars, Civilians Lashkars, cannot bring long lasting peace. Blood cannot be washed with blood. I don’t suggest the conflict policy with western world but our own interest should come first. We should not help western world on our own country cost. Afghanistan and its inhabitants are appreciable that they absorbed such big shocks but at least they never thought for division of the country. I am afraid if Pakistan will be able to absorb such shocks, as just after 3-4 years of war like situation in FATA and Pakhtoonkhwa raised questions on Pakistan’s integrity. Our rulers should think seriously about it.
May Allah bring the ever lasting peace in Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Ameen