One Busy Planning Director; Stay Close; Fixed Base Operator; Better for the Better Half; Straight to the Top

Michael Ubaldi, April 14, 2005.

Foreign aid may at times become a tricky balance between necessity and sovereignty but the Asian Development Bank can share credit with Kabul for the successful initiation of two major construction projects in Afghanistan. The first is a $50 million-dollar effort to increase the country's fledgling electrical grid to nearly 150% before 2008. The second is a trans-geographic pipeline; working to Afghanistan's diplomatic prestige and by virtue of its engagement demonstrates the impotence of Islamic fascists.

The Taliban's quagmire will continue indefinitely if American troops — who still stand beside Afghans in defense of the democratic state — are permanently stationed in the country as a forward operating base against regional tyranny. What's striking is that, as it's being reported, the arrangement is a request from Kabul:

Catching U.S. officials slightly off guard, Afghan President Hamid Karzai is seeking a long-term security partnership that could keep U.S. troops there indefinitely and make permanent the military relationship that began when American forces invaded in 2001.
...Karzai said he had consulted many of his country's citizens about "a strategic security relationship" with the United States. "The conclusion we have drawn is that the Afghan people want a long-term relationship with the United States," Karzai said.

As has been witnessed for nearly four years, the perspective of Third Worlders — many of whom depend on the United States for support, reconstruction and protection; many more who seek it — is critically unlike the dogmatic contempt from the anti-Western left. Empiricism does not define reality alone but experience can correct poor theory. Afghans have witnessed firsthand the benevolence of the free world. They know best.

I work for an airport engineering and design firm, and hold with my coworkers an enduring respect for the often tiny, always dedicated staffs of municipal, county and private airports across the country — so this story from the Baghram Airfield is as powerful to me as it is personal:

Sakhidad Ghaznawy's picture of Afghanistan's past is "grounded" in Herat's flightline. For 31 years Mr. Ghaznawy has maintained the title of Herat's civilian airport manager, carrying on throughout decades of political unrest and national conflict. Rulers have changed hands from Prime Minister Prince Mohammad Daoud, to the Mujahideen, the Soviet Union, the Taliban and now, the democratically-elected president, Hamid Karzai.
"And I've been here through it all," he said. "The Russians came in about 25, 26 years ago; invading our country and bombing this airport. When the Taliban ruled, they killed women, children — everyone. Now the Americans are here," Mr. Ghaznawy said. "They are very close to us, very dear to us; they are our guests."

When like heart and character cross the rift of country and disposition, fast friends are made.

One stubborn fact opponents of liberation prefer to ignore or resist is that the Taliban and other Islamofascist regimes promise a devoted misogyny, singling women out in the violation of those unlucky enough to fall under their rule. Refused dignity and humanity during the five-year Taliban and al Qaeda nightmare, women could hardly expect to receive the doctor's care and attention they required. In the new Afghanistan, that barbarian neglect is being rectified:

As many as 138 gynecological nurses have graduated from the National Health Institute of Afghanistan. The students, from 20 different provinces of the country are expected to help counter the acute shortage of trained nurses in the provincial hospitals and health centres. ...Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Ali Mawji the resident representative of the Aga Khan Development Network in Kabul said 90 other nurses would graduate from Balkh and Herat provinces next month.

Elsewhere, state embezzlers were exposed, prosecuted and punished. Liberty is not intended to change human nature but instead to encourage its finest qualities.

Finally, another sign of Afghanistan's embrace of peaceful normalcy: in increasing numbers, foreign mountaineering troupes are accepting the challenge of the country's formidable ranges, making the people's acquaintance as they go.