CanadaNews’ Reporter Notes

The Afghan-American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) is meeting in Washington, D.C. over the next two days to cover networking and marketing opportunities for Afghan-Americans, and businesses based in the United States and Afghanistan who have an interest in working together.  The AACC is the leading organisation facilitating U.S.-Afghan business, investment, development, and trade ties for Afghanistan.  The conference itself is stacked with Afghan businesses interested in getting more exposure inside the United States.

U.S. Ambassador Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad attend the conference to speak to the audience about the United States’ commitment to Afghanistan’s Development.  He spoke for approximately 20 minutes.  In his discussion he said,  “Afghanistan has got to become a self-sustaining government with strong economic ties in world markets.”   As the former U.S. Ambassador of Afghanistan, he said he had met with countless Afghans who were ready to put their own money on the line to help bridge the gap between entrepreneurs and resources.  Anything to help the country improve its position at the time.

This initiative was halted in the 1980s due to the Afghan-Soviet War; a 9 year battle with the former Soviet Union.   During this time, he was trying to develop efforts of an Afghan partnership -nationwide.  He was successful in working with national leaders to  join all Afghani forces against the Soviets.  There was another occurrence of similar magnitude immediately following September 11th, against the Taliban.

The Ambassador said the current situation is a mixed picture.

“The economy has risen 12%-14% annually since Allied Occupation.  It’s had the largest increase of any central Asian country,”  he continued.  The country has a stable economy and 80% of the citizens have access to primary medical care.  6 million children go to school, and presently the largest number of girls ever attend school.  The National Army boast some 40,000 strong.  And numerous major concerts have been held in many of the country’s larger cities, like Kabul.

In his own attempt to be frank, the Ambassador said there was too much in-fighting with national and local leaders.  This in-fighting makes it possible for the borders to be poorly defended, even with a 40,000 man army.  “The borders to the south are especially in bad shape in Afghanistan.  Being nestled between Iran to the west and constitutionless Pakistan to the south, the government must be careful to keep their borders as strong as possible.”

Ambassador Khalilzad said the biggest issue with Afghanistan is the high levels of corruption.  “The regional landscape is more challenging.  There is corruption of government officials on many levels.  Particularly, the local police.  The police are non-existent at times and are almost predatory in activity.  They go to the highest bidder.  That is how the Taliban  is able to stay in business.”  Unemployment is high in Afghanistan as well.

“All these things can hurt Afghanistan; but hope is still possible.  These problems can be overcome,” said the Ambassador.

Khalilzad advises the President Karzai, the government ministers, and local Afghan leaders should united behind national interest within the framework of national unity.  He also advises the same aforementioned should reject the approach to separate ruling because of cultural differences. The international community should strengthen it’s position with aid for Afghanistan.  The community recognizes the difficult reforms.  This will require assistance from the private sector of Afghanistan.  “The rule of law, the procceedure, the international community’s security assistance, and the improvement of Afghanistan First are all ways to increase the safety of Afghanistan.”

In closing the Ambassador said,  “A strong and safe Afghanistan is only possible through the international community working together with Afghan forces in bringing an end to the old way of thinking and opening the door to a bright Afghani future.”

Those in attendance of the Ambassador’s speech said they were optimistic of the future of Afghanistan.  One individual said, “Afghanistan has a bright future like the Ambassador said.  If we work together and attempt to focus on the business-side of things; while the U.S. and Canada take care of the military side; we can get out of all of this with very little trouble.”

Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad had to cut his time during the Q&A short, due to a noon speech he had to give at United Nations Headquarters in New York City, NY.