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The Parliament’s Lower House (Wolesi Jirga) voted on President Hamid Karzai's new Cabinet on April 20, approving 20 of the 25 nominations, including Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta as Afghanistan’s new Foreign Minister. Members of the 249-seat lower house voted for the 25 Ministers individually and by secret ballot. In a congratulatory message to the Parliament, President Karzai said: “The MPs’ constructive stand on the approval of the proposed ministers, regardless of ethnic and factional backgrounds, indicates that the people of Afghanistan and their Representatives are making great strides in their attempt to strengthen the Government. It is a great honor for us to have successfully emerged from another test to strengthen the Government.”

Foreign Minister-Designate Dr. Rangin Dadar Spanta comes from Afghanistan’s western province of Herat, where he completed his secondary education before enrolling at Kabul University. In the mid-1970s, Dr. Spanta studied in Turkey, and in 1982, he settled in Germany. In 1991, Dr. Spanta earned a doctorate degree, writing his dissertation on the causes of Afghanistan's underdevelopment and the resistance movement in the country. From 1992 to 2005, he was a professor at Aachen University, as well as director of that university's Third World studies institute. In January 2005, Dr. Spanta returned to teach at Kabul University, and later became an adviser on foreign affairs to President Karzai.

In a letter dated April 26, Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah thanked Ambassador Jawad and the Embassy staff for their efforts to help implement the goals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during his tenure over the past four years. “I greatly appreciate your contributions towards our national objectives of promoting peace, upholding social justice, and enhancing public welfare in Afghanistan,” wrote the Foreign Minister. He wished the Embassy the best in continuing to help execute Afghanistan’s foreign policy towards greater peace and prosperity in the country and the region. Ambassador Jawad and the entire Embassy staff extend their wishes to Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah both for his personal life and his continued efforts in support of Afghanistan’s reconstruction.

President Hamid Karzai Visits India

President Hamid Karzai paid an official visit to India from April 9-13 at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The two leaders held talks on a wide range of bilateral issues. Both Heads of State affirmed that the friendly relationship between Afghanistan and India, underpinned by historical and cultural ties, had overcome many challenges and were today based on a shared commitment to the ideals of democracy, peace and security in the region. They also welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral relations since the two leaders' last visits to India and Afghanistan in 2005. Indian officials voiced support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the country's ongoing efforts to consolidate its new democracy. Increased trade and economic development were identified as an essential factors in strengthening regional stability. President Karzai thanked India for its demonstrated commitment to Afghanistan by providing more than US$ 600 million toward rebuilding infrastructure, human resource development, and humanitarian assistance, while Prime Minister Singh reaffirmed India’s partnership with Afghanistan by pledging an additional US $50 million under India’s Assistance Program for Afghanistan. To broaden cooperation between the two countries, three agreements were signed in the areas of Rural Development, Education and Standardization in the presence of President Karzai and Prime Minister Singh. President Hamid Karzai inaugurated a Festival of Afghanistan in Delhi, which included demonstrations of Afghan dance, music, food, handicrafts and explored a number of rural development and technology programs in Hyderabad. President Karzai welcomed the idea of India hosting the Second Regional Economic Cooperation Conference for Afghanistan in New Delhi next November. Analysts have identified Afghanistan as a potential economic bridge between India and Central Asia, and both countries are examining the benefits of increased integration. President Karzai expressed his satisfaction with the trip, telling journalists in Delhi, “The co-operation between us will definitely benefit our people.”

This April, Afghanistan proudly joined the family of nations that have hosted an open heart surgery. Elaha, a 13-year-old Afghan girl, was the recipient of Afghanistan’s first ever open heart operation. The life-saving surgery occurred in a Kabul hospital built by the French NGO Enfants Afghans (Afghan Children). Chief surgeon Alain Deloche was honored to have been the first surgeon to accomplish this technological marvel within Afghanistan’s borders. “The symbolic value overrides all technical aspects,” he said. Elaha had been born with a heart defect, and doctors predicted that she only had two or three years to live without major surgery. An Afghan surgeon, an anesthetist and two nurses were also in the operating room for Elaha's procedure.

Earlier in the month, President Hamid Karzai and Bernadette Chirac, wife of French President Jacques Chirac, officially opened the Kabul hospital in which the operation occurred. The French Medical Institute for the Child brings much needed cutting-edge expertise and equipment to Kabul. “We are pleased today to see Afghan children treated in their own country,” President Karzai said at the opening ceremony. The hospital employs about 150 Afghan staff, including 13 doctors, to support rotating French medical teams.

Finance Minister Anwar Ul Haq Ahadi, Da Afghanistan Bank Governor Noor Delawari and Ambassador Jawad attended breakfast with select members of the press on April 20 at the Embassy. Minister Ahadi briefed the press on the Government’s vision of a growing market economy with private sector-led growth. He called Afghanistan a “Virgin Market,” where business and investment environment was rapidly improving, referring to advances in total domestic revenue, budget compliance, and legal infrastructure. The Minister highlighted the simplicity of Afghanistan’s new tax laws and the flexibility of the new custom laws. “We are very conscious of the fact that international assistance will not be indefinite. We will be able to stand on our own two feet,” he said. Governor Delawari emphasized the trust that Afghans have in their government’s financial institutions, pointing out that total deposits to commercial banks increased by 82% in the last twelve months. “We are pleased to see that people are coming back to the banks,” he said. The press breakfast was held in anticipation of Minister Ahadi and Governor Delawari’s participation at the World Bank’s 2006 Spring Meeting.

First Secretary Ashraf Haidari gave a keynote speech at the “Remember Afghanistan?!” symposium at Middlebury College in Vermont on April 5. Speaking about Afghanistan's recent past, Secretary Haidari said, “At the dawn of the twenty first century, the world had totally forgotten about Afghanistan, and the plight of the Afghan people was only a topic of discussion in the reports of human rights groups. But since the international re-engagement of Afghanistan in 2001, the people of Afghanistan are hopeful again about their future. The will of the Afghan people to move forward for a better future remains the driving force behind today’s ongoing state-building process.” While applauding the achievements of the Bonn process, Secretary Haidari called on the international community to continue providing the resources needed to consolidate Afghanistan's new democracy based on the goals of the Afghanistan Compact.

Secretary Haidari singled out lack of human capital as a one of the major challenges to the rebuilding process, and specifically asked American institutions of higher learning to help enhance Afghanistan’s human resource by granting full scholarships to qualified students to study in the US. “Thanks to Middlebury College, the admission of two outstanding Afghan students, Zohra and Haseeb, will go a long way to help them achieve their dreams for Afghanistan. This symposium is a prime example of both their commitment to rebuilding our motherland and their contribution towards achieving the mission of the College.” Zohra Safi and Haseeb Humayoon are presently freshmen at Middlebury College, and came to the US two years ago. They are already involved in numerous on-campus activities, and helped organize the weeklong symposium with the support of the Middlebury College Rohatyn Center for International Affairs.

Embassy Celebrates Archaeological Heritage

The Embassy honored achievements in the preservation and protection of Afghanistan's archaeological and cultural heritage on April 17. Ambassador Jawad co-hosted a reception with the National Geographic Society and the Association for the Protection of Afghanistan Archaeology (APAA) to pay tribute to Afghanistan’s Director of National Museum Omar Khan Masoodi and his colleagues, whose brave actions saved many priceless masterpieces of Afghanistan’s heritage during the reign of the Taliban. Ambassador Jawad remarked on the history of Afghan archaeology, and the tragic attempts by the Taliban to erase much of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage. The Ambassador demanded vigilance against cultural terrorism and warned that many looted antiquities continue to be smuggled out of Afghanistan. Deputy Minister of Culture Omar Sultan spoke briefly about Afghanistan’s fostering of “a culture of toleration” and the necessity of protecting Afghan oral heritage and folklore. “Today we need the revival of the arts…Our new generation has raised its heads from the flames.” APAA Vice President Nadia Tarzi, daughter of the celebrated archaeologist Dr. Zemaryali Tarzi, informed guests that her father’s excavation was getting larger and will become “a monumental Buddhist site.” She urged the guests to support Afghanistan’s cultural preservation. “All is not lost; today Afghanistan is picking up the pieces of twenty-three years of war. Join us in filling in the gaps, healing the wounds and opening a new window of opportunity.” The evening concluded with a brief discussion of House Bill HR 915 and the steps being taken by the U.S. Congress to prevent stolen antiquities from entering the United States.

Ambassador Jawad addressed a group of prospective investors and representatives of U.S. companies and at a BISNIS forum on Business Opportunities in Afghanistan and Central Asia, sponsored by the US Department of Commerce on April 4. The Ambassador discussed basic factors that facilitate regional trade, including physical infrastructure and market oriented trade and investment polices. He emphasized the need for coordinated regional investment and trade strategies based on a free market economy. Afghanistan is making a stake in the global marketplace by adopting new laws, reforming trade and investment procedures, and rebuilding its physical infrastructure. More than 3,000 new investment projects have been registered the country, totaling $1.3 billion, with almost half coming from foreign investment. More than 100 companies participated at the conference, signaling new opportunities for regional partnerships. BISNIS (Business Information Services for the Newly Independent States) is a Department of Commerce initiative that fosters U.S. exports and other new U.S. business activities in Eurasia, providing market information and related services to U.S. and Eurasian firms, particularly small and medium-sized companies.

More than fifty active members of the World Affairs Council of Pennsylvania visited the Embassy on April 25. On behalf of Ambassador Jawad, First Secretary Ashraf Haidari briefed the group on Afghanistan’s reconstruction process and discussed their questions on the role of American public support in helping the people of Afghanistan. Secretary Haidari noted that the support of the American people through their government had been key to Afghanistan’s rebuilding process, as well as to the US national security. “When the world forgot about Afghanistan in 1990s, our country slowly became a sanctuary for transnational terrorists. The tragic events of 9/11 remind us all that the security of our nations is inseparably linked,” Secretary Haidari told the group. “On behalf of our people and government, I would like to thank you, the American people, for your support, for sending your sons and daughters to help us realize the ideals of democracy, which in the long-run will serve our two nations, as well as ensure peace and security in the world,” he concluded.

First Secretary Haidari Discusses Government’s Response to Narcotics Problem

In a lecture to Foreign Service students at Georgetown University, First Secretary Ashraf Haidari discussed the problem of narcotics in Afghanistan. “The status of Afghanistan as the largest producer of opium poppy is clearly as a result of the past circumstances wrought by more than two decades of war,” he told the students. Through the implementation of its eight-pillar Drug Control Strategy, the government of Afghanistan was able to reduce poppy cultivation by 21 percent last year. Secretary Haidari attributed this significant achievement to President Karzai’s commitment to a drug-free Afghanistan, enhanced institutional capacity, and increased allocation of resources to alternative development. In hundreds of provincial meetings and visits, the President has stressed his commitment to eradicating narcotics in Afghanistan, and asked farmers to cooperate with the Government and the international community in return for alternative assistance. The farmers have responded positively, notably in the major drug-producing provinces of Nangarhar (-96 percent reduction), Badakshan (-53 percent), and Uruzgan (-58 percent) in 2005.

“Consistent with its five-year benchmarks, the Government has identified six key areas of intervention in rural areas," Secretary Haidari explained. “International experience has shown that only through long-term rural development, increased security, expanding rule of law, and proactive regional cooperation can narcotics be eradicated in Afghanistan." Despite its very limited resources, the Government of Afghanistan will continue to do its part, reaching out to all stake-holders for assistance based on the realization that Afghanistan’s drug problem is a transnational problem, which needs to be fought together and internationally.

Afghanistan’s counter-narcotics police raided a major heroin-producing center on April 12, seizing more than eight thousand pounds of drugs, destroying eight heroin-refining laboratories, and arresting seven suspects. Numerous other raids occurred last month in Helmand province, where 5,642 hectares of opium poppy have been eradicated thus far. Returning from Afghanistan, Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy John Walters told journalists in Washington that Afghan authorities are succeeding in reducing opium poppy cultivation. The Director said that he saw “enormous progress” in Afghanistan's counter-narcotics campaign to eradicate drug production since his first trip in 2004. He emphasized the successes in Nangahar province, where poppy production has declined 90 percent.

A new program in Balkh Province aims to boost rural incomes by encouraging Afghan women to work in local fields and orchards. This food-for-work project organized by the World Food Program was launched in October 2005. Since then, it has established two nurseries that house thousands of trees bearing apricots, almonds, walnuts, and other fruits and seeds. Around 800 women have been trained in planting, irrigation, weeding and other farming techniques. The nurseries are expected to produce around 1.5 million trees each year. With projects such as this, orchards will once again bear delicious fruits for export and Afghanistan’s former reputation as the “Garden of Central Asia" will be restored.

Former Combatants Reintegrate

Former militia members are continuing to hand over their weapons in exchange for job training under the UN-backed Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program. The program is run by the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and provides former disarmed soldiers with small business training and $700 worth of goods and/or equipment to restart their lives. Since February 2004, the IOM has assisted more than 14,000 former Afghan soldiers to reintegrate into civilian life in the northern, central and southeastern provinces of Afghanistan. The IOM helps to create the conditions that allow combatants to re-enter their communities. Additionally, the IOM provides literacy training courses and employment referral services. Wherever possible, the IOM employs literate former combatants to train their illiterate fellow combatants, providing the trainers with textbooks, blackboards and writing kits. This future-focused reintegration of former gunmen is essential to Afghanistan’s successful reconstruction.

Second Secretary Omar Ghafoorzai discussed the ongoing rebuilding effort in Afghanistan with students from William and Mary College at the Embassy. Ghafoorzai provided the students—who had enrolled in the course “State Building Process in Afghanistan”—with a detailed history of Afghanistan as well as the political, social and economic developments during that unfolded during the past 27 years. Secretary Ghafoorzai discussed how the Government and people of Afghanistan have witnessed significant achievements in the transition towards a democratic and society, such as the ratification of the constitution and Presidential and Parliamentary elections. In reference to the recent London Donor Conference and the drafting of the Afghan National Development Strategy, Secretary Ghafoorzai said, "The participation of over 60 high level delegates at the conference sent a clear signal of the international communities resolve to support Afghanistan during this crucial second phase of our transition." Secretary Ghafoorzai concluded his remarks by identifying the key challenges that lie ahead for Afghanistan, such as improving national institutions and counter narcotics initiatives, and stressed that the Government of Afghanistan was committed to a successful and sustained state building process.

The Embassy paid tribute to Hayatullah Haidari for winning the International Prize in the 2004 River of Words (ROW) international art competition on April 26. Due to visa difficulties, Hayat could not claim his prize until last month when he was honored at a Library of Congress ceremony. Displaced from Afghanistan and living in a refugee camp in Quetta, Pakistan, Hayat’s story demonstrates that hope can be found in even the darkest of places. In 2002, a group of boys discovered an article about the River of Words poetry and art contest in a tattered copy of an old “Ranger Rick” magazine. Since then, boys from the refugee camps have sent ROW annual packages filled with submissions. In 2004, Hayat’s expressive painting “Sadness” was chosen as International Prize winner.

On behalf of Ambassador Jawad, Counselor Payenda Mohammed, First Secretary Ashraf Haidari, and Second Secretary Omar Ghafoorzai welcomed the artist and his father with a congratulatory gift, and applauded Hayat on his major artistic achievement. Addressing the Embassy's guests, Secretary Ghafoorzai reflected, “Hayatullah’s story is an amazing one. After fleeing Afghanistan, Hayat spent 4 long years in a refugee camp and spent a lot of his time drawing. His winning submission depicts the state of mind of thousands of Afghan orphans in refugee camps across the region.” River of Words (ROW) is an interdisciplinary environmental education program that integrates art, poetry and the sciences to promote literacy and environmental stewardship. To view Hayat's winning submission as well as the artwork of other children, please visit http://www.riverofwords.org

First Secretary Haidari Welcomes Voluntary Repatriation of Refugees

In a recent interview with the Voice of America Urdu TV, First Secretary Ashraf Haidari welcomed the repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran, and advised the refugees to “go and see” before voluntarily returning home. Secretary Haidari highlighted the Government’s efforts through the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation to facilitate the return of refugees, and called on the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to do more to help refugees reintegrate in the society. UNHCR announced in April that 9,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Pakistan and Iran since the resumption of the UN’s voluntary repatriation program. UNHCR estimates that as many as 400,000 people may return to Afghanistan from Pakistan and around 200,000 from Iran before the end of 2006. Last year the agency facilitated the return of more than 500,000 refugees. To accommodate this influx of people, UNHCR has constructed more than 150,000 housing units for returning Afghans. Since 2002, more than 3.5 million Afghan refugees have returned. An estimated 2 million remain in Pakistan and 900,000 in Iran.

Governor Jeb Bush of Florida, Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa, Governor Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Governor Mitch Daniels of Indiana traveled to Afghanistan in April to meet President Karzai, Afghan governors and the Coalition forces. They discussed the challenges of governance and reconstruction, and compared management techniques with over a dozen Afghan governors. Governor Bush expressed hope that Afghanistan’s educational system was adapting to meet the need of its youngest citizens and suggested an exchange of American agriculture experts to assist Afghan farmers. Ambassador Jawad wrote to each Governor in appreciation of their support for Afghanistan. “I want to thank you for your support to the ongoing rebuilding effort of Afghanistan,” wrote Ambassador Jawad. “We are particularly grateful to the Florida National Guards’ invaluable contribution to the U.S. troops by having 1215 members serving on active duty in Afghanistan."

Ambassador Jawad expressed condolences to a number of foreign governments in response to tragic events inside and outside of Afghanistan in April. Following a plane crash in Kenya, Ambassador Jawad condoled via a letter with Kenyan Ambassador Leonard Ngaithe: “Our prayers are with the bereaved family members and friends of the victims.” The Ambassador expressed a similar sentiment to Egyptian Ambassador Nabil Fahmy in response to the terrorist bombing of the Red Sea resort town of Dahab. Ambassador Jawad also expressed Afghanistan’s solidarity with Canada in a letter to Ambassador Michael Wilson, following the loss of four Canadian soldiers serving in Afghanistan. “The soldiers will be remembered for their distinguished service and for sacrificing their lives, while embarking on the courageous task of combating terrorism and maintaining security in the south and south eastern parts of Afghanistan,” wrote the Ambassador.

Acting Commercial Attaché Atta Discusses Economic Cooperation

Acting Commercial Attaché Khaleda Atta gave a keynote address entitled “Afghanistan and Central Asian Economic Cooperation” at a conference sponsored by the Geneseo School of Business at the State University of New York (SUNY) early last month. Ms. Atta highlighted the importance of trade and investment policies to regional economic development, as well as developing infrastructure and energy resources in Afghanistan. She outlined Afghanistan’s recent steps to create a favorable investment environment, including the development of new laws, privatization plans, and quality monitoring mechanisms. She noted that given Afghanistan’s status as a land-bridge between South Asia and Central Asia, strengthened trade capacity in the country would directly impact the cross-cutting priorities of the larger Central Asian region, such as border security and counter-narcotics enforcement.

The Asian Development Bank has predicted further economic development for Afghanistan and identified its 2005 growth as 13.8 percent. Deputy Country Director Joji Tokeshi informed journalists that growth was expected to be 11.7% in 2006 and 10.6% in 2007. The ABD has reported Afghanistan’s growth rate as 28.6% in 2002 and 15.7% in 2003. The Asian Development Bank has contributed $817 million to Afghanistan since 2002 and committed a further $1 billion by 2010 at February’s London Conference. The Asian Development Bank has been working in Afghanistan since 2002 on a series of diverse projects such as energy, transportation and communications. To learn more about the Asian Development Bank’s work in Afghanistan, go to the country page: http://www.adb.org/Afghanistan/.

The Afghanistan International Bank (AIB) achieved a major benchmark in April as it launched Afghanistan’s first-ever Internet banking. Customers are now able to access online account information, money transfers and online service. AIB has branches in Kabul, Kandahar, Herat and Mazar-i-Sharif and plans to open three to six additional branches this year. AIB operates as a commercial wholesale bank and primarily caters to UN entities, NGOs, international embassies, foreign military forces, and foreign and domestic companies.

Partnership, Trade, and Development in Greater Central Asia

The Central Asia-Caucasus Institute (CACI) of Johns Hopkins University and the Institute of World Economy and Policy (IWEP) of the First Kazakhstan President Foundation held an international conference on Partnership, Trade, and Development in Greater Central Asia on April 1-2 in Kabul. The conference brought together experts and officials from throughout Greater Central Asia to discuss how each country can benefit from regional trade cooperation, and how the U.S. can work in partnership with the region to facilitate these efforts. One focus of the conference was how each country can benefit from opening major transport routes to the Indian Ocean, South Asia, and beyond. Masood Aziz, Executive Director for the Afghanistan Policy Council presented his paper: “Afghanistan's Potential as the Land Bridge of Greater Central Asia,” in which he emphasized the need for effective trade logistics, customs and border management, and a strengthened private sector to overcome the region's disadvantage of being landlocked. For more information on this conference please visit: http://www.silkroadstudies.org/new/inside/forum/trade_kabul_description.html

The Afghanistan Investment Support Agency (AISA), in collaboration with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), the German Federation of Industries (BDI) and the Ministry of Commerce, will hold the Afghanistan International Investment Conference and Exhibition in Kabul May 9-12, 2006. The conference will provide a valuable matchmaking forum and networking opportunity for the private sector, while updating the international business community on recent economic, legal and institutional developments in Afghanistan. The conference will mainly promote three key development sectors: Agro-business and Agro-processing, Infrastructure and Construction, and Energy and Mining. For more information on the event, please visit http://aisa.org.af/earchivemay.htm.

The Economic, Trade, and Investment Department at the Embassy of Afghanistan has made exciting changes to the Afghanistan Business Gateways website. Afghanistan Business Gateways is a matchmaking tool to help businesses around the world quickly and effectively find business partners, products and services, investment opportunities or travel and tourism services. Many new resources have been added to the website including the recently released World Bank Investment Climate Assessment report, newly passed laws, upcoming events, and a number of additional helpful links. We encourage you to register your business and investment project needs on our site for partnership opportunities. For more information, contact the Department at commerce@embassyofafghanistan.org or call (202) 483-6410 x830.

Embassy Hosts Rebuilding Afghanistan Foundation

The Rebuilding Afghanistan Foundation held a reception for distinguished policy makers and philanthropists at the Embassy on April 4. Congressmen, Officials from the Departments of Defense, State and Education, Ambassadors and prominent members of Washington society were on hand to lend their support to the cause of education in Afghanistan. The evening included opening remarks by Ambassador Jawad, a brief overview of the Foundation by Crescent Investment Management LLC Founder Mansoor Ijaz, and remarks by guest speaker Ambassador Henry A. Crumpton. Founded in 2003, the Rebuilding Afghanistan Foundation was established on the belief that education of Afghan children is the key to a stable and self sufficient civil society. By funding educational projects executed by carefully screened U.S.-based charities working on the ground, the Rebuilding Afghanistan Foundation makes it possible for the U.S. private sector to take a hand in the reconstruction effort.

Women's Affairs and Social Protection Officer Salma Afzal Speaks at Georgetown University

The Embassy and the Afghan Reconstruction Initiative (ARI) recently presented a screening of "Love Letters from Kabul” at Georgetown University. The documentary explores the impact of education on personal relationships between men and women in Afghanistan. After the screening, Women’s Affairs and Social Protection Officer Salma Afzal addressed the audience, explaining that literacy projects had empowered both men and women in post-war Afghanistan. Although approximately 63 % of men and 86 % of women in Afghanistan remain illiterate, these figures will change due to increased investment in Afghanistan’s social development to meet the goals of the Afghanistan Compact and the Afghanistan National Development Strategy. The Ministry of Education predicts that by 2010, enrollment of students in universities will be 100,000 with at least 35% female students. ARI is a Georgetown University graduate student group that conducts research on Afghan healthcare reconstruction through collaboration with the Afghan Ministry of Health, GU faculty, the NGO community and US federal agencies.

NGO Profile: Help the Afghan Children

Help the Afghan Children has delivered quality educational services and programs to over 15,000 students in its 9 model schools. Founded in 1993 by Executive Director Suraya Sadeed, HTAC’s mission has been to help Afghan children become educated, healthy, and productive citizens, who are able to fully contribute to building Afghanistan’s civil society. Over the years, HTAC has positively impacted over 1.5 million children and their families in providing emergency relief, health care, vocational, and general educational services. HTAC accomplishes its mission by working with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and other partners in establishing model community-based schools in different provinces; training local teachers to increase their skills and capacities; as well as developing and introducing innovative learning programs, including computer literacy training. On March 21^st. 2006, ‘Help the Afghan Children’ and Ms. Sadeed were among a group of Afghan NGOs recognized by U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush for making a significant difference in the lives of Afghans and Afghan reconstruction.

Local Announcement: Ariana Outreach in Virginia is in search of writers to contribute in publishing a book on various issues in Afghanistan. The book will consist of a collection of short stories and essays predominately written by Afghans. The purpose of the initiative is to have the world hear our voices and help promote literacy in Afghanistan. Students at Kabul University, members of the Afghan government, Afghans living abroad and Afghan women are highly encouraged to participate. Deadline for the first draft is June 5, 2006. To request a list of topics or submissions guidelines email Humira Noorestani at humira@arianaoutreach.com

Quote of the Month: "The situation in Afghanistan is hopeful. President Karzai has led his nation with a firm and steady hand. He has successfully, albeit gradually, neutralized the warlords and demobilized and disarmed their forces…Overall the situation in Afghanistan provides grounds for optimism."

CORRECTION: Last month’s newsletter included an article titled, “Saffron May Replace Opium as Cash Crop.” The text for this article was incorrect. The correct text can be read on the Embassy of Afghanistan website by clicking here.