Envoy plants vine for peace in California
by Lalit K. Jha
Pajhwok Afghan News
04.18.2007
Afghan ambassador Said Jawad planted a vine in California, roots of which were once brought from Afghanistan way back in 1948.
Called "Vine for Peace", the symbolic plantation ceremony was held on the grounds of the American Centre for Wine Food and Arts (COPIA) on April 16 in Napa in California. Said Jawad was on a two day tour to California to participate in several functions on the West Coast.
Officials of COPIA said the vine planted by Said Jawad was a direct descendent from the collection of Afghan root stalk that acclaimed viticulturist, the late UC Davis professor and grape geneticist Harold Olmo brought back and studied from Afghanistan in 1948.
"This grapevine is a wonderful symbol of the shared heritage between farmers from our two countries. It will serve as a permanent reminder for all visitors to COPIA of the seeds we have in common and the hope that peace may be planted from Napa Valley to Afghanistan," said Heidi Kuhn, founder and CEO of the non-profit Roots of Peace.
Roots of Peace, co-host of the event, is engaged in de-mining operations in Afghanistan and large scale plantation of grape vines so as to provide alternative commercial plantation to the farmers of Afghanistan.
Later on April 17, Jawed addressed the students and faculty of the University of California Berkeley on "Winning the Peace in Afghanistan, Challenges and Opportunities."
In his remarks, the ambassador outlined the connection between regional stability and global security, discussed how new US aid to Afghanistan would be allocated, and gave a progress report on public health and women's rights throughout the country.
Jawad emphasised the need for increased aid effectiveness, accelerated budget execution and greater Afghan control of resources flowing into Afghanistan.
"Last month, Afghans celebrated their new year with celebrations all across the country. People gathered together without fear to picnic, dance, and partake in a special Afghan custom, the planting of a tree. Each tree planted is a vote in the future of our country, another living thing that will slowly, steadily grow roots in Afghan soil," he said.
