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The Taliban and Opium Industry Are Getting U.S. Billions -- Not So Much for the Rest of Afghanistan

By Pratap Chatterjee, Tomdispatch.com. Posted March 23, 2009.


Parts of Afghanistan that have neither violent Taliban resistance nor much opium trade are virtually ignored by the U.S.

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Want a billion dollars in development aid? If you happen to live in Afghanistan, the two quickest ways to attract attention and so aid from the U.S. authorities are: Taliban attacks or a flourishing opium trade. For those with neither, the future could be bleak.

In November 2008, during the U.S. presidential elections, I traveled around Afghanistan asking people what they wanted from the United States. From Mazar in the north to Bamiyan in central Afghanistan to the capital city of Kabul, I came away with three very different pictures of the country.

Dragon Valley is a hauntingly beautiful place nestled high up in the heart of the Hindu Kush mountains. To get there from Kabul involves a bumpy, nine-hour drive on unpaved roads through Taliban country. In the last couple of years, a small community of ethnic Hazara people has resettled in this arid valley, as well as on other sparse adjoining lands, all near the legendary remains of a fire-breathing dragon reputedly slain by Hazrat Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Mohammed.

A few miles away, hewn from the soaring sandstone cliffs of Bamiyan in central Afghanistan are the still spectacular ruins of what used to be the largest examples of standing Buddha carvings in the world. Two hollow but vast arched, man-made alcoves, which rise higher than most cathedrals, still dominate the view for miles around.

For much of the world, the iconic image of Taliban rule in Afghanistan remains the shaky video footage from March 2001 of the dynamiting of those giant Buddhas that had rested in these alcoves for almost 1,500 years. Months after they were blown up, the Taliban bombed neighboring Hazara towns and villages from the air, burning many to the ground. Tens of thousands of their inhabitants were forced to flee the country, most seeking shelter in Iran.

In the seven years since the Taliban were ousted by the United States, the Hazara villagers of Bamiyan have started to trickle back into places like Dragon Valley in hopes of resuming their former lives. Today, ironically enough, they find themselves in one of the safest, as well as most spectacularly beautiful regions, in the country. Its stark mountains and valleys, turquoise lakes and tranquil vistas might remind Americans of the Grand Canyon region.

Yet the million-dollar views and centuries of history are cold comfort to villagers who have no electricity, running water, or public sanitation systems -- and little in the way of jobs in this hardscrabble area. While some of them live in simple mud homes in places like Dragon Valley, others have, for lack of other housing, moved into the ancient caves below the ruined Buddhas.

No Help Whatsover

Just outside one of the many single-room mud houses that line the floor of Dragon Valley, I met Abdul Karim, an unskilled laborer who has been looking daily for work in the fields or on construction sites since he returned from Iran a year ago. Most days, he comes home empty-handed. "We have nothing, no work, no electricity, no help from the government or aid organizations. Right now our situation is terrible, so of course I have no hope for the future. I'm not happy with my life here, I'm ready to die because we have nothing."

His only source of income is a modest carpet-weaving business he's set up inside his tiny house at which his two children, a boy aged about 10 and a girl of about 15, work. It generates about a dollar a day.

As I went door to door in the small Hazara settlement, I heard the same story over and over. In the mud house next to Karim's, I met "Najiba" (not her real name), a woman of perhaps 70 years, who said that her family had received virtually nothing in aid. "The government hasn't done anything for us. They just say they will. They just came by once, gave us some water, some clothes, but that's it."

Traveling in Bamiyan province, I repeatedly heard the same story with slight variations. In the wheat fields outside the village of Samarra, I met Shawali, a peasant who told us that he and his son had fled south to Ghazni, a neighboring province, to escape the Taliban. "My son and I labored hard pulling big carts full of timber and heavy loads until we could raise enough money to return to Bamiyan." Here he remains a day laborer, eking out a living, and no better off than when he was in internal exile in Ghazni.

The situation has so disintegrated that many say they wish they could simply return to the refugee camps in Iran. In Dragon Valley, for example, I met "Khadija." As the middle-aged woman fanned a small fire fed by wood gathered from nearby, she said, "We were happy in Iran. It was good. The weather was warm. We had a good life there, but it was still someone else's country. When the [Iranian] government told us we had to go back home, we wanted to return to start a new life. But [the Afghan government] hasn't helped us at all. They told us they were going to give us wood, supplies, and doors but they've given us nothing... no help whatsoever."


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See more stories tagged with: us, afghanistan, trade, taliban, aid, opium

Pratap Chatterjee is managing editor of CorpWatch and the author of Halliburton's Army: How a Well-Connected Texas Oil Company Revolutionized the Way America Makes War (Nation Books, 2009).

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Pratap Chatterjee, you're not even going to mention the reason we are there is BS: 9/11????
Posted by: pfgetty on Mar 24, 2009 2:58 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Pratap, how can you possibly do a story on how badly Afghanistan has been treated.........the bombings, invasion, troops surrounding the oil pipeline areas, puppet government........and you never, ever mention that Afghanistan had nothing to do with 9/11?
The world has been taught that it was because of Afghanistan, the Taliban, and al Qaeda that was hosted there, that the plans for attacking the US on 9/11 was hatched.
And so thousands of innocent Afghans were massacred in the invasion and pre invasion by bombings and tanks from the US.
But the plans for 9/11 came from Washington DC, at the highest levels of American government. 9/11 was an inside job. Exactly how it was done will require further investigation, but we KNOW that the official story of 9/11 is complete bullshit.

So somehow you write a big story about Afghanistan, and you ignore the biggest story of all time: that 9/11 was an inside job..........and you leave the world with the impression that it is Afghanistan's fault that 9/11 occurred.

Who got to you? What is your agenda? Did Alternet tell you not to ever mention anything about 9/11 truth? Or did you just assume that you cannot tell the truth about 9/11, since ALL US media, including alternative media, has been in a lockdown about 9/11, a conspiracy to keep the truth from the American people?

I think if you go around the world asking, you will be told by most humans that 9/11 was an inside job, or at least that the suspicion is there that the US government was part of the planning of that day. Most of the facts of the day are covered up. But there are piles of information about 9/11 that proves that it was an inside job. Have you never looked at any of it? The work of David Ray Griffin, Steven Jones, Richard Gage, Kevin Ryan? These guys, and hundreds of dedicated and respected engineers and great thinkers, can tell you the truth about 9/11.........go to www.ae911truth.org.
But I think you know enough about 9/11 truth. I think you just feel that none of it can be presented in the US press, anywhere, but on very obscure 9/11 sites.

How sad. Americans look at Moslem countries like Afghanistan with disgust.......disgust at their sick religion, a religion that would create the minds that would attack and kill three thousand Americans. You have helped, now, to further that fiction, Pratap.

Either get a little courage and write about the real story of Afghanistan and 9/11, or go to the website I gave and learn something. It's been seven and a half years! It's about time you did.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» 9-11 is irrelevant Posted by: gellero1
» Higher Still Posted by: robert.noll
» RE: Higher Still Posted by: Basenjis
Thanks Pratap for confirming this.
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Mar 24, 2009 3:30 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The minute we left Afghanistan for Iraq is the day we simply conceded to the Taliban and the drug warlords. But if Obama thinks that we can just pour in more troops into that country, he's deluded. The wars on drugs and terrorism must be abolished and the latter war is an oxymoron.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Purdue Pharma Posted by: weathered
has Obama stopped the US handing out Viagra to the war lords?
Posted by: Suzon on Mar 24, 2009 4:26 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I know he's got a lot on his plate, but the previous admin's decision to win over the Afghan war lords in such a way has to totally invalidate one of the major justifications [sic] for being in Afghanistan: the Taliban's maltreatment of women.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Yes, I agree with you... Posted by: MeyravLevine
» VIAGRA HELPS WOMEN !!! Posted by: gellero1
A GOOD HISTORY AND GEORGRAPHY LESSON
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Mar 24, 2009 7:17 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article could be describing any one of countless countries, including our own. We have many affluent towns and a very wealthy class. We also have Parts of New Orleans deserted, much of Ohio is poverty stricken, we too have people in the streets looking for work, some of our people are destitute. We finally escaped the worst presidency in our history. We're trying to pick up the pieces. I like to think that I care about people in foreign lands who suffer for various reasons, I am anti-war. We don't belong in Afganistan. We can't continue to randomly drop bombs where there may or may not be a "terrorist". We're killing innocent people and their children. In return for which we are expected to completely rebuild their country which was a shambles long before we got there. It's impossible for a young country like the U.S. to comprehend having 1000 years of history to go back on. Is it possible that they like it the way it is? Americans are about changing things and making them better. We do screw up along the way, but there's no lack of ambition and the ability to adapt and find a better way. The whole world seems to have a 'wish list' and they give to us Americans. While that's very flattering, it's very unrealistic.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» YOU need the history lesson Posted by: brunowe
» Talk about unrealistic Posted by: leafsong1
A THOUGHTFUL AMERICAN
Posted by: foxxx on Mar 24, 2009 9:49 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
JUST A THOUGHT== WHAT ARE WE DOING IN AFGANISTAN?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: A THOUGHTFUL AMERICAN Posted by: VZEQICVA
» The Answer !! Posted by: gellero1
» RE: "Al Qaeda" Posted by: 876
» RE: The Answer !! Posted by: robert.noll
» RE: The Answer !! Posted by: Basenjis
Rehashing Afghanistan
Posted by: tokerdesigner on Mar 24, 2009 2:54 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1. SCHIMMELAFGHAN

In the 70's Afghani hashish was among the world's best-- black, sometimes with mold on the side, known in Berlin as "Schimmelafghan" (Schimmel means mold).

The USA used military pressure, economic sanctions etc. etc. to destroy that business and today instead Afghanistan provides over 90% of the world's heroin.

(Something similar happened to "dat Bo"-- Colombian riefer in the 80's-- suppressed by U.S. money and replaced by cocaine. Then growhouses raised strong green riefer in the U.S. but the spy planes with heat sensors etc. forced growers who were in it for the money to switch to methamphetamine. "When will they ever learn.")

The obvious way to defeat both poverty and Taliban is to restore that lost Afghan hashish industry. My guess is a tipping point has about been reached when resistance to cannabis legalization (mostly funded and promoted by pro-tobackgo interests who don't want to see their drug profits go down the toilet with smack, crack and meth) collapses. Then the USA will buy hashish, refined THC in e-cigarette cartridges, etc. from Afghanistan instead of opiate. In case farm families start to use their own product, the good news is cannabis gives youngsters a joyous urge to enjoy 72 virgins in this life instead of after a martyrdom.

2. BUSHWATER

The USA has trillions to throw at relieving economic disaster, and an economic/environment disaster to relieve: drought-stricken areas and mega-fires costing California alone billions a year. Develop a program, maybe under Americorp, training youngsters to clip, hack, remove hazardous underbrush biofuels from California all summer and then in Australia, Brazil etc. from Oct. to March. Add training in carpentry and manufacturing to make furniture, toys, office equipment, tool handles etc. out of the trunks and branches, deposit brush and chips in dry riverbeds to retain seasonal rain moisture, and other products, services. Set up inspiring outdoor hands-on jobs for millions of underemployed Americans and then, as soon as possible, for millions of impoverished or persecuted foreigners including Afghan girls, single mothers and others, as well as Zimbabweans, Darfurians, Gazans etc. Time to play our trump card: JOBS. (Oh yes, the girls will get schooling in English, Spanish and other subjects and access to internet, iPod etc. courtesy of that other Jobs.) As some of the girls return to Afghanistan, they will create a technocratic society full of modern science and free enterprise.

This will win unprecedented love for the USA, its President, and the Director, to which office I nominate George W. Bush, who has the perfect name (program: Bushwater, i.e. put the bushes in the water, get it?). In a summer 2001 photo President Bush was shown with a hatchet in his hand, the caption: "Bush takes a whack at forest fires." (He can team up with Tony Blair to take care of the recruitment of the Gazans.)

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: "72 virgins" Posted by: 876
Why spend scores more billions on Afghan quagmire?
Posted by: Garvagh on Mar 24, 2009 4:31 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The US is spending $500 million on a base at Bastion, Afghanistan, where the UK forces have operated from. But what is the game plan? Send in enough US soldiers so that the US is seen as the occupier needing expulsion from the country? Why not let Russia and Iran take much larger roles? And China. Because the Israel lobby opposes sensible dealings by the US with Iran?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Iranian Theocracy
Posted by: gellero1 on Mar 25, 2009 12:04 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's a little more than the so called 'Israeli Lobby' that sees a major destabilizing element in a Muslim Theocratic State that glorifies suicide and 'martyrdom', thinks the so called afterlife is more important than this life, has nuclear bomb ambitions, and had a leader who saber rattles against the West in the name of 'Allah'.
I don't think that culture has the same high regard for this life as we do.
Hence, we should really be concerned.
Get it??

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Iranian Theocracy Posted by: robert.noll
THE 'WarLord' OPIUM TRADE FUELS THE CIA
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Mar 25, 2009 3:21 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
THAT
is
WHY
it's only mentioned by ReichWingers.

The OPIUM TRADE is fully legal in TURKEY, but then TURKEY is holding all the EU cards in energy routes these days...

so when the Developing World needs PAINKILLERS, they can either get screwed over by BigPharma experimenting on their citizens & getting 'expired drug writeoffs'

OR
they can simply SUFFER & DIE

There is a reason that the 'Senlis Council' (now ICOS) drafted & complained that the MILLENNIALLY ANCIENT OPIUM CULTIVATION of these regions SHOULD BE LEGALIZED & BECOME REAL TRADE

taking it out of the hands of the Taliban, the US-militarized DRUG THUGGERY

& out of the HANDS OF THE CIA 'black ops' funds...

remember IRAN-CONTRA?


the opium trade COULD ACTUALLY BE THE SOLUTION, not the bloody problem.

think about it.
YOU BOMBED THE CRAP OUT OF THESE PEOPLE, exactly WHAT are they supposed to do FOR BASIC TRADE & NECESSITIES?

beg for US corporatized aid?


perspective, people.


Perspective.

The Jeff Farias Show: streams FREE & LIVE Mon-Fri, 6-9pmEST

FREE podcast

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Drug Warrior John Kerry Border Chaos Hearing
Posted by: aahpat on Mar 26, 2009 11:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
U.S. Senator John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is going to El Paso,TX on Monday to thump his chest and look macho over the blood and chaos caused by his drug war policy. I wrote to him in his capacity at chair of the committee and I am encouraging others to write to him also. And if your senator is on the committee write to them too. Contact information for the committee is on the letter.

Drug Warrior John Kerry border Chaos Hearing

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