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January 18, 2010

Ari Rusila, Freelancer, Platinum Contributor (402)

Few days ago Turkish FM gave interview here in Times saying e.g. following

“Turkey was ready to try to persuade the Taleban to end the violence and take part in elections. Ankara’s aim is to repeat its success in 2004 in convincing alienated Sunnis in Iraq to end their boycott of the elections to give them a voice in the Shia-dominated Government. The approach by Turkey, whose own population is predominantly Sunni, had worked in Iraq and must be repeated by Nato in dealing with the Taleban in Afghanistan, Mr Davutoglu said. This was more important than the question of how many troops Nato should deploy or what military aid would be given to the Karzai Government.”

This is the core question from my viewpoint, not that EU stagnated is waiting the wisdom from U.S. and afterwards are debating how many soldiers they should send.

Following U.S. military suspicious strategies only to have good transatlantic relations keeps EU always as bystander in international politics.

If EU wants to outsource its foreign policy so why not outsource to Turkey instead U.S. as this probably does not cost so many lives.

More e.g. in “Will Coin work in Afghanistan“ -http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2009/12/11/will-coin-work-in-afghanistan/
and “Afghanistan - to be or not“ - http://arirusila.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/afghanistan-%e2%80%93-to-...

January 18, 2010

Catherine Stella SCHMIDT, Washington International University, (6)

The Role of Germany and its Armed-Forces in Afghanistan

In the Post-Globalised era the NATO Military Operation (M.O) embodies an altered concept; with the change in the pillars of its action, the modern Military Operation has become yet the antithesis to its origin.
As of recent époque, alike to Mission in Kosovo the NATO-led Intervention in Afghanistan is notably an illustrated archetype of this Post-Globalised approach.

With the new constitutional framework at the heart of NATO policy in Afghanistan, albeit the Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) at the first stage was initiated with primary objective to topple the Taliban regime, as early as 2002 the entire engagement metamorphosized itself to a new form of existence.
In principle, the German Armed-Forces with NATO are merely acting to foster security for the local people and implement Humanitarian Projects. Their main tasks concentrate on helping Afghanistan to reconstruct the Physical and Cultural aspects of its territory.

The Operation in Afghanistan is designed, not to take over, but to empower the Afghan people.

On early December 2009 with the approval of parliament the German Armed Forces have been scheduled for yet another year Mandate.
With this extension Germany is going to further fulfill its International responsibilities and will continue to contribute its uniformed personnel, civilians, and financial aid for consolidating peace, security and rebuilding the region.
Providing 4500 troops on the ground the role of the German Armed Forces remain to be ultimately prerequisite for preventing civil conflicts in the region and Social Development of Afghanistan.

Therein as a part of the International Security Assistance Forces(ISAF), German
Personnel from Armed Forces, Police Trainers, Diplomats, Civilians, are the
quintessential components of the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
Their tasks centers on assisting the Afghan people in the road to recovery from years
of afflictive war and the protracted civil conflicts.

In terms of Financial Aid, Germany the second largest donor after the United States, has hitherto contributed the amount of 1.2 billion euros to Afghanistan for Humanitarian Aid
and stabilization of the country.

Additionally Deutschland has introduced and implemented a series of measures, all of which in fusion, intended to accelerate the process of rebuilding Afghanistan and
preparing it for the Self-Sustaining Security.

A Glimpse to The Highlighted Programmes:

-----Debt Relief Initiative
Up to 2010 Germany has cancelled 65.million euros in Afghanistan debt as a measure to help the Development of the country. It has also announced the cancellation of Afghanistan’s entire debt in the coming year.

-----Preserving the Cultural and Historical Heritage
As for Cultural restoration and preserving the Historical Heritage of Afghanistan, from 2000 to 2007 Germany has provided the amount of 3.6 million euros
as a step to assist the country.

-----Helping Afghanistan to achieve the Self-Sustaining Security
For accelerating the Self-Sustaining Security process, Since 2002 Germany has been in charge of training the Afghan Police force.
Although from June 2007 the Mandate changed to European Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL) Germany continues to have the leading role in this project, with 120 Police Officers in the region. This number is expected to be increased by mid 2010.
Coordinated with this project, the Federal Government has made available the amount of 35.7 million euros for 2008 and the same amount was allocated in 2009 for the Police Capacity building in the region.

-----In northern Afghanistan, mostly in Kunduz province, Feyzabad and Mazar-e-Sharif Germany is in charge of the region’s development. Prior to 2010 it has created and financed over thirteen Macro-Prgrammes for community and the regional advancement.

The Actualized Programmes Are:

A- Development Oriented Emergency and Transitional Aid Programme in Afghanistan:

1 - Water supply in Kundunz Province
The project commenced in 2005 and was completed in 2006
Provided funds: 355,000 euros

2- Road Reconstruction in Takhar Province
From 2006~ on going
Provided funds: 170.000 euros

3- Provincial Development Fund in Northeast Afghanistan
From 2006~ on going
Provided funds: 4,725,908 euros

4- District Development Fund in Takhar Province
From 2006~ on going
Provided funds: 255,000 euros

5- Road Reconstruction in Takhar Province
From 2007 to 2008
Provided funds: 130,000 euros

6- Emergency Aid for Northern Provinces in 2008
From June to December 2008
Provided funds: 3,1 million euros

7- Capacity Development for Community Development Council in Northeast Afghanistan
From 2008~ on going
Provided funds: 90,000 euros

B- neweweble Energy programme for the Electricity Supply to Rural Areas:
1- Rehabilitation of Khanabad, Kishim and Faizabad Power Station
From 2007 to be completed in 2012
Provided funds: 9,7 million euros

C- Northern Economic Infrastructure Development:
2- Reconstruction of Economic Infrastructure in Northern Afghanistan
From 2008 to be completed in 2010
Provided funds: 10 million euros

D- Reconstruction of Balkh Provincial Hospital:
3- Reconstruction of a new Hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif
From 2008 to be completed in 2011
Provided funds: 12 million euros

E- Improvement of water Supply in Afghanistan:
4- Improvement of Urban water supply in Kunduz and Northern Areas
From 2008 to be completed in 2018
Provided funds: 6.4 million euros

F- Educational Development Aid:
5- Dormitory for the Teacher training Centre in Mazar-e-Sharif
From 2009 to be completed in 2010
Provided funds: 1,2 million euro

G- Economic Infrastructure in Afghanistan:
6- Rehabilitation of Mazar-e-Sharif International Airport
From 2009 to be completed in 2011
Provided funds: 35 million euros

With the aim of implanting security and peace, helping the Afghan people to ensconce themselves in the newly established Democratic structure and build a prosperous future, Germany has neither limited its financial contribution to the time nor to the above highlighted programmes.
As the situation requires, its substantial Aid to Afghanistan seems to be an ongoing process in the coming years.

The Additional Humanitarian Funds were Also Provided as Dated Below:

· On the 22nd December 2009, the total amount of USD 270,000 made available for the reconstruction of Farkhar in northern part of Afghanistan.

· On 17th December 2009, with another influx of 13.4 million euros, the Federal Government of Germany brought the previous amount to the total of 40.million euros for improving the Civil Aviation System and Air Traffic in Afghanistan.

· On 29th October 2009, 2 million euros was allocated as an Educational Aid for creating a new Teacher Training College in Badakhshan Province.


As of today there are more than 14 Intra-Governmental and Supra-National Organizations of Germany added with over 16 National Humanitarian Aid and Educational Corps that
are working together to facilitate stability in the region, help Afghanistan to achieve political and social transformation, and became part of the World Society.

Germany’s Main Humanitarian Organizations in Afghanistan:
--The German Red Cross
--The Bundesanstalt Technisches Hilfswerk (The Federal Agency for Technical Relief )
--Deutsche Welthungerhilfe
--The Germany UNICEF
--Deutsch-Afghanische Initiative (German-Afghan Initiative)
--The Bundeswehr Children's Fund
--Lachen helfen Org
--Organisation for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR)
--Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (The German Relief Agency for Technical Cooperation)
--KfW Entwicklungsbank in Afghanistan
--Der Deutsche Entwicklungsdienst(DED)the German Development Service in Afghanistan
--The German Bureau of UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Afghanistan
--The Goethe-Institute in Afghanistan
--The Friedrich Ebert Foundation
--The Konrad Adenauer Foundation
--The Heinrich Böll Foundation

These are the programmes and Aid provided by Germany. Simultaneously there are 27 European countries on board, added to, the large amount of U.S contributions to the region.
The statistic report shows that by now more than 85% of the population have access to Schools, Hospitals, Roads and to Community Facilities. 2/3 of the male and half of the female population are attending schools. The Afghan people, for the first time in their history can learn about their Rights, experience Freedom and have access to education. From a severely war-torn country, Afghanistan is on the way to emerge as a stable and secure society.

In all these achievements thus far, and those to be materialized yet in 2010, the role of Germany is pivotal.
Deutschland with its Bundeswehr, the Federal and Civilian Corps, has not
only saved Europe and the region from the Al-Qaeda threats but also helped
Afghanistan to move towards a lawful, civil and democratic system.

In accordance with the Humanitarian law, the Mission in Afghanistan cannot be categorized as a War. It is, ethically, a Humanitarian Intervention, the Rescue Effort.

It projects the triumph of Liberty over Tyranny; The Reviving of Humanity.

It is with this Political Ideal in the centre of its foreign policy that Germany with its Bundeswehr embraces the global role and exert with full capacity to create a secure and peaceful World for all;
the success of which will be, partly, determined by its ascendancy and
achievements in Afghanistan.


Catherine Stella Schmidt
Political Philosopher
Author of
A Philosophical Enquiry into the Concept of Liberty
Discourse on Empire
Sublime and Beautiful Europe and the United States
Immoral Beloved
World Without Frontières
La Mémoire de la Passion et de l'amour
International Organizations

January 18, 2010

Ting Shiang Lee, , Gold Contributor (147)

EU is, by no means, a bystander in international politics, watching recent German young ministers expressing their views is quite interesting indeed. Now that German Chancellor is leading and coordinating the team.

Trust the Jan. 28, 2010 conference will be a success, with all parties leveling out and exchanging ideas with others actively.

January 18, 2010

Samir Orfali , Uni - Hagen, University of Jordan, Platinum Contributor (280)

Reading the survey closely, I really - as statistician - have to state, the tide is turning!

The poll, conducted among 1500 Afghan, male and female alike, indicates that the most pressing issue beside security is a proper electricity supply.

The opinion poll, struck by Jiihadists for centuries indicate a 50/50 opinion share on who is to decide if a woman wears the hijab... this could develop into a civil society also if Islamic scholars are supported who tell the people that the Koran states women have to decide on their own: http://www.atlantic-community.org/index/articles/view/Terrorists_Ar...
(Or more precisely does not say that there is anybody human to do so)

So there is a clutch time to be witnessed, as the main strategy of insurgents in Afghanistan was to weaken the alliance, such closely observed our home fronts.

Obamas main ally the European Union has its adaptive difficulties after eight years of unilateralism conducted by Washington. Europe felt well by denying G.W Bush fellowship originally who managed the transatlantic ally top down unilaterally, but witnesses difficulties with Obama who kindly requests help and offers to talk thinks in general by a multilateral approach.

Recent squirming among especial German policy makers facing the London Conference, due to a negative opinion on AFPAK, could motivate the Taliban again to step up their efforts to attack the home front. Recent death-tolls among coalition soldiers indicate this, subjected to the generally conducted surge and troop increase, that increase death-likelihood also.

So in general I think within Afghan borders everything is slightly developing into the right direction. Many abductions among civilians for ransom screams for the need of more police trainers and Germany to honer its promises.

But one critical questions... where did they conduct the survey? In Kabul... likely as there could be two worlds be witnessed as the discussion on Abbas Dayars piece indicate.

Sorry for spoiling too much optimism.

January 19, 2010

Marie-Claude Corneauster, self-employed, Gold Contributor (124)

from Michael Yon who is a war correspondant in Afghanistan, he doesn't seem to be optimist

"Afghanistan: it's on. 2010 will be worse than we have ever seen, but we can resolve this one. The Afghans are strong. (Sometimes that works against us.)"

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8465044.stm

January 21, 2010

John Hadjisky, Blogging Nerd, formerly John in Michigan, USA, Platinum Contributor (196)

"So there is a clutch time to be witnessed, as the main strategy of insurgents in Afghanistan was to weaken the alliance, such closely observed our home fronts."

I agree. The initial plan of the insurgents was to show that the US was a paper tiger and would withdraw from Afghanistan after a few US deaths, the way we did in Somalia. When that didn't work, their new target was the trans-atlantic alliance. If they could damage this decades-long relationship, it would be a major accomplishment for them. But the relationship endures. Their new target seems to be the Afghan people themselves (who were always a target but they are now the number 1 target).

I hope the people win; it is too soon to tell, but there are some very positive signs that they will win.

February 10, 2010

Ryan Jones, Georgetown University, Center for German and European Studies, (2)

This post only mentions the opinions of those in Afghanistan and the U.S. NATO relies on many players other than the U.S. and any success or failure is going to rest partially on the shoulders of the other countries involved.

A recent poll in Germany (http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/0,1518,674943,00.html) shows quite a different sentiment: only 76 percent believe that the mission can be successful and only 29 percent agree with sending more troops.