"Osama" Screening at the
Motion Picture Association of America
Remarks by Ambassador Said T. Jawad
Washington, DC
02/12/2004
Thank you Senator Clinton for the kind introduction.
I would like to thank you for hosting this wonderful
event.
Senator Clinton,
Senator Hutchinson,
(Secretary Elaine Chao),
Undersecretary Paula Dobriansky,
Mr. Chris McGurk ,
Distinguished guests:
Tonight, we will experience for one hour what
Afghan girls experienced for five years. Osama illustrates a
look into Afghanistan’s dark recent past, and the struggles,
hopes and dreams of millions of Afghans who suffered under terror,
tyranny, and Taliban. It also projects a bright hope for Afghanistan’s
future and the revival of rich Afghan culture and art. Even
though Osama was the first film produced and filmed in Afghanistan
since the Taliban took over in 1996, it has received significant
international recognition, including the Camera d’Or Special
Mention at Cannes, the London Film Festival, and the Golden
Globe Award for Best Foreign Feature.
The film is directed by Mr. Siddik Barmak, an
Afghan who dreamed of making films since he was 5 years old
when he saw Lawrence of Arabia at a Kabul theatre. Mr. Barmak
completed the film using donated equipment and a small budget.
The actors of Osama have lived and experienced
the pain that they portray on screen. Marina Golbahari, the
young star was a street beggar in Kabul. Marina, like many other
Afghan girls, could not read or write, but her eyes and expressive
face connects audiences to the determination, struggles and
hardship of Afghan women and children. Some have wondered about
the title of “Osama” for this film. The simple answer
is that this name, long before September 11, has terrorized
and victimized the Afghan people.
Today, the Afghan girls have returned to school
in record number, and women have gained equal rights and opportunities
under our new constitution. Out of 4 million children that are
going back to school, 42% are girls. We have come a long way
in two short years; but in order to help Afghan women realize
their rights and visions, we need the continued support and
sustained engagement of the United States of America. We must
keep Afghanistan in the spotlight.
Senator Clinton and Senator Hutchison;
By screening this film today, you once again,
have reaffirmed your commitment to our country. We appreciate
it very much. You have been strong supporters of Afghan women’s
rights. The Vital Voices Initiative you started in 1997 has
implemented vital programs that have helped Afghan women in
the areas of political leadership and economic empowerment.
Senator Clinton, you renewed your commitment to peace and stability
in Afghanistan by spending your Thanksgiving in my native hometown
of Kandahr with the brave US solders, who are fighting to make
Afghanistan, the region, and the world a safer place. They are
fighting alongside their Afghan friends to make sure that the
Afghan people never again become hostages and victims of Osama
Bin Laden.
We remember your words in a Time article published shortly after
September 11. I quote: “As we continue the hard work of
rooting out the …Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorism, we must
begin the hard work of nurturing the hope and planting the seeds
of a governing system that will allow all the people of Afghanistan
to dream of a better life for their children, girls and boys
alike.” With the help of the United States and the international
community, Afghanistan has planted those seeds; they are taking
strong roots and growing beautifully. Many dreams are coming
true with our new constitution.
Thank you.
