The facts on Afghanistan
Ambassador Said T. Jawad
Chicago Sun-Times
06/04/2004
With due respect, I am taking issue with Robert
Novak's [May 31] column ''U.S. is lost in Afghanistan.'' Lost
in anonymity and innuendo, it misleads the public about the
success of the U.S.-Afghan partnership in the war against terrorism
and the leadership of President Hamid Karzai. Novak has it wrong
on several accounts.
First, we are to applaud the U.S. soldiers as
they conduct heroic operations against remnants of the terrorist
groups in Afghanistan to make my country and our world a safer
place. Led by the United States, the dedicated coalition forces
are helping provide the enabling environment for security and
democracy to solidify in Afghanistan. To refer to an unnamed,
''discouraged and discharged Special Forces officer'' to suggest
that these valiant soldiers lack confidence in their generals
and the integrity and leadership of Karzai is not only insulting
the committed U.S. forces but also flat-out ignorance of facts.
Second, Afghanistan has made significant progress
in building democratic institutions and strengthening rule of
law. President Karzai was elected by the representatives of
the Afghan people in the Loya Jirga (Afghan Grand Council) in
June 2003. On Jan. 4, 2004 President Karzai signed into law
our new constitution -- the most progressive charter in the
region -- adopted by the representatives of the Afghan people
from all walks of life.
Third, the Afghans and our international partners
are proud of the personal values and standards that President
Karzai has set in honesty, commitment and dignity and modesty.
President Karzai's leadership and integrity is beyond reproach.
He is the most visionary and honest leader that has ever emerged
in our part of the world.
Never before have Afghans been as hopeful as now
about their future. Some 2.5 million Afghan refugees have returned
home. Thousands of internally displaced persons have gone back
to their villages and begun normal life. We experienced 30 percent
economic growth last year, continuing at 20 percent this year.
I ask Novak, as a reputable journalist, to verify
his sources and substantiate his statements.
