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IAWM supports Afghan hunger strikers
 national |
racism & migration related issues |
press release
 Monday May 15, 2006 18:15 by Irish Anti War Movement - Irish Anti War Movement
Irish anti War Movement supports the Afghan asylum seekers on hunger strike in St Patrick’s Cathedral
The Irish Anti War Movement supports the asylum claims of the Afghan hunger strikers in St Patrick’s Cathedral. The desperate measure by the 36 asylum seekers highlights the lies and the myth that the US and its allies are spreading democracy through its ‘war on terror’. The reality is that the US has replaced one group of thugs that it helped to create and fund – the Taliban, with another group that it now funds – the Northern Alliance (NA), to rule Afghanistan. The real agenda behind the US ‘war on terror’ is the extension of US power and dominance in the world. The Irish Anti War Movement calls on the Irish government to approve their asylum claims in recognition of the continued oppression and absence of democracy that exists in Afghanistan.
Irish Anti War Movement
Po Box 9260, Dublin 1. Tel: (01) 872 7912
Press Release
15/05/06
Irish anti War Movement supports the Afghan asylum seekers on hunger strike in St Patrick’s Cathedral
For comment contact Richard Boyd Barrett at 0876329511
The Irish Anti War Movement supports the asylum claims of the Afghan hunger strikers in St Patrick’s Cathedral. The desperate measure by the 36 asylum seekers highlights the lies and the myth that the US and its allies are spreading democracy through its ‘war on terror’. The reality is that the US has replaced one group of thugs that it helped to create and fund – the Taliban, with another group that it now funds – the Northern Alliance (NA), to rule Afghanistan. The real agenda behind the US ‘war on terror’ is the extension of US power and dominance in the world. The Irish Anti War Movement calls on the Irish government to approve their asylum claims in recognition of the continued oppression and absence of democracy that exists in Afghanistan.
The US claimed it was fighting the Taliban under the banner of women’s liberation. Mehmooda Sheikiba, an activist with the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) who has worked in the publications committee of RAWA during the past five years describes Afghanistan today under the US backed Karzai regime as a “land of warlords and payees of foreign powers”.
She continued “all of the fundamentalist bands including Taliban were created, funded, and trained by the CIA turning a blind eye to the higher interest of the Afghan people and to the consequence of such sinister support to the fate of freedom and democracy in our country. Thus, the US war on the Taliban was nothing but a family fracas between the father and his rogue children. Afghans will not see as their “liberators” those who drove the Taliban wolves through one door and unchained the rabid dogs of the Northern Alliance through another.”
To get another idea about the scale of corruption and lack of democracy of the Karzai regime, we draw your attention to a confidential document disclosed in 2005 by Dr. Ramazan Bashardost who was assigned as the minister of planning and tried to stop the activities of some 2,000 suspicious and money-making NGOs. He was soon forced to resign. According to the document ministers and high-ranking officials, in addition of other allowances, get up to $36,000 annually from a British company. Whereas the disabled get $6 and ordinary government employees get $60 per month only.
The overwhelming corruption is present in the highest organs. Dr Bashardost said, “The President had asked me to assume the responsibility of the Administration of Fight against Corruption, I however told him that I would undertake it provided I could start with the Presidential Palace.”
In an interview with Reuters on Aug.30, 2005, he said, "Government members, the NGOs, the big embassy staff, the United Nations staff ... they made a mafia system and you can see the result. We received about $12 billion since three years, where is the money?" he said, referring to international aid since the overthrow of the Taliban in late 2001.
"The Afghan people are against warlords, why does the international community, why does the Afghan government supports warlords? In the provinces, all governors are former warlords, all chiefs of police are former warlords”
The recent Afghan elections in November 2005 were discredited by numerous and widespread allegations of electoral fraud and intimidation.
Mehmooda Sheikiba reported that the US and its allies “allowed about 200 criminals and arch enemies of democracy to pave their way to the parliament and provincial council. After four years the people see that the “liberators'” promises for them were all lies”.
She continued, “The Northern Alliance is comprised of those millionaire rapists busy in the opium trade under the very nose of the US troops. They are the people behind the insecurity, kidnappings, embezzlement of billions of dollars of foreign aid, injustices, anti-women constraints, covering up of the day light murders. Most of the Afghan ambassadors, governors, secretaries and other high ranking officials are also affiliated with Northern Alliance mafia”.
“The former head of their dreaded religious secret police, notorious for executing and abusing thousands of men and women, criminal figures of the infamous terrorist band of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, high level members of the Soviet backed puppet regime were allowed to stand as candidates”.
“Ballot boxes were kept for 48 hours or more before being transferred to the polling stations. Thousands of votes for independent candidates were burnt and thousands of fake votes were cast for the pro-fundamentalists/ pro-Karzai candidates”.
The Human Rights Watch report on the election stated: “many voters and candidates voiced concerns to Human Right Watch about their sense of vulnerability at the hands of warlords forces, de facto or official militia forces ostensibly allied with the government”.
“Across the country, candidates and political organizers complained to Human Rights Watch of cases in which local commanders or strongmen, or local government officials linked with them have held meeting in which they have told voters and community leaders for whom to vote. In some cases, candidates and their supporters allege that direct threats have been communicated.”
Richard Boyd Barrett, chair of the Irish Anti War Movement said, “All of this evidence proves what the anti-war movement has claimed for the past five years, that the US project has nothing to do with democracy and everything to do with US power. The US has for decades propped up the most dictatorial and undemocratic regimes in the world. All their talk of spreading democracy is simply propaganda. This is particularly important in light of their current campaign to justify an attack on Iran in the name of democracy”.
He continued, “The Irish Anti War Movement calls on the Irish government to recognise the justified claim to asylum of these Afghan refugees. We also call on the government to stop supporting the US war and occupation machine through the use of Shannon Airport”.
For comment and confirmation phone Richard Boyd Barrett 0876329511
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Comments (42 of 42)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42RBB even has to hijack this to get his name into a press release! I thought RBB was the IAWM Chair. Isnt it normal for the PRO to be the contact person for the press? Fair dues to the IAWM members like Michael Y who are putting in the work because they believe in it but this press release is yet another example of the SWP showing contempt for the Anti War Movement as a whole and for the Afghans.
Good statement of support. Nicely argued.
(PS But why is it signed by rbb? Shouldn't it actually be signed by one of those doing the actual donkey work in the iawm instead of by a figurehead?)
It's posted on irishantiwar.org by Donal Mac Fhearraigh, SWP, who probably wrote it and put RBB's name to it. Doubt if the steering ctte of the IAWM had much imput.
It's a good press release.
'It's posted on irishantiwar.org by Donal Mac Fhearraigh, SWP, who probably wrote it and put RBB's name to it. Doubt if the steering ctte of the IAWM had much imput.'
This should be in Other Press, it was posted on iawm.org first.
what sort of comments are these who cares who wrote it and signed it?? its a great press release and shows someone made the effort to research and write it. The more information we have the better we are able to argue for these people. Its so stupid/sad to say the least and maybe these sectarian bigots could put their efforts into showing support themselves rather than bitchin' on about those who are making an effort.
I have showed prctical support for the Afghans. In my post I also praised IAWM members who actually do the work. RBB is just a publicity seeker, he is now usurping the post of IAWM PRO. The name Richard Boyd Barrett appears three times in the press release. He is obviously a very important person. So important that his name must be printed 3 times while Mehmood Sheikiba of Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA) only appears twice. Its not so long ago that the RBB and the SWP were accusing RAWA of being Islamophobes.
It's important that anti-war activists speak out in support of those facing deportation from Ireland, so the IAWM deserves to be commended for its excellent statement.
The detailed information is particularly useful. It's an outrage that the Fianna Fail/PD government would even consider deporting people to Afghanistan. I notice that McDowell has decided to adopt an 'iron man' approach to the hunger strikes; public pressure is required to force him to back down from this and statements such as that from the IAWM cannot but help.
But -
Quote -
'its a great press release and shows someone made the effort to research and write it. The more information we have the better we are able to argue for these people'
Sound as a pound
Hey all,
It is great the Afghan hunger strikers are receiving the support they deserve. I was delighted to see six (non-swp) iawm, four SWP and three anti-war alliance people in the cathedral, among many others (see below)supporting the comrades. We still need blankets, duvets and sleeping bags. A couple of us in there were thinking of an iawm press release when we realised another of our members, from the office, sent to the press a well-researched release. We were delighted. Work was shared, relevant points were made...some comments re: the release can also be seen in the other Indymedia thread.
Now, for those of you who obviously relish attacking RBB, his work rate, his personality, his ego and who knows what else...a comradely request. : leave me, us and the iawm out of it. He is the organisation's chairperson and it is our decision who signs our press releases. If you want to attack Richard please open another thread, call it what you like, and do your business - if the Indymedia collective allows you to. This thread is about the hunger strikers, their fight with the Minister of Injustice, the support they deserve and they're getting. To see RAR, Sinn Fein, anarchists, unamanageables, SWPs and iawms as well as some unaffiliated students and a few self-confessed 'vagabonds' working shoulder to shoulder and hand-in-hand with our Afghan brothers was a joy to behold earlier - this is what unity is all about.This is when we're strong - and the wind is with us to be sure.
Don't spoil it - come to the vigil tomorrow and be assured RBB will be invited to attend! You can then address your remarks directly to him. Lol!
Solidarity
"He is the organisation's chairperson and it is our decision who signs our press releases."
Really? When was this decided? Did you specifically agree that RBB would carry out the functions of the PRO and be the contact person for the media? What does the PRO do? Are you happy that RBBs name appeared 3 times in the release?
"No welcome for some"
Curious,
If you want to attack Richard please open another thread, call it what you like, and do your business. This is a thread about the Afghan hunger strikers and the support they deserve, are getting and should continue to get.
Now my curious friend - which of the above words, sentences, sentiments or advice you don't understand?
There has been a request from the men that they would prefer if there were no visitors this evening.
The men were very grateful for the visitors today and are naturally worn out from hunger and thirst, chatting all day to people and the media.
They have gone almost 36 hours without food and water and are feeling very tired this evening.
There is a vigil tommorow at 12.30 at the Cathedral and all are encouraged to attend
Please spread the word...
can we stop the sectarian shite???!!!... christ no matter what someone's affiliation as long as they're tryin to get some relief for these men but also to try to win some space for a left wing critique of the situation that led to these men being hear..why would you care?....are you saying that RBB doesnt care about these men? don't be ridiculous!....i haven't visited indymedia for quite a while but it's so i nice to see the same crap still repeated over and over and over...enough talk lets get blankets and head over....
"are you saying that RBB doesnt care about these men? don't be ridiculous!..."
RBB only cares about this in so far as he can get publicity from it. Thats why RBB has his name on the press release so many times. Its the cult of the personality like Stalin but on a smaller scale.
The vigils and all actions for the Afghans should be supported. That does not mean I can ignore the fact that an publicity seeking general election candidate is trying to use this to raise his profile. If this was a Labour, Green, SF or Liberal FGer who had issued a press release mentioning themselves three times I doubt if so many would be leaping to their defence.
I hope it obvious to all who visit here that Trotwatch who hides behind a name does nothing but attack people- continually- thats all he/she does. Never has Trotwatch added a positive comment to this site or offered any reason why anyone should even heed he/she. What work has trotwatch ever done to help these people- come out from behind your mask and tell us all- we are all dying to hear about the great work trotwatch has been doing on behalf of the oppressed. By the way, throwing it back at me or making another cynical remark about any activist who doesnt hide behind a mask like you wont work. Everyone can see that you are a cynic who cares nothing for the movement or for people. Indymedia is too important to be used by people like this to stir trouble. Probablly a PD or a cop
I'm sure you feel better after that. I will be along again this evening. Unlike the SWP I wont be waving Socialist Worker placards or selling papers or trying to recruit members. I will just be there to support the Afghans.
When was RBB last on a RAR protest?
Trotwatch has never been down to St Pats. I've never seen trotwatch there and no one I know has. But I have seen members of RAR and SWP amongst many others.
Yes I was there. You dont know who I am or why I am using the name Trotwatch today. Tomorrow or even later today it will be someone else using that name.
I see you have ignored the question about RBB attending RAR protests.
trotwatch has nothing to offer.
theres are people whose lives are at risk here a and you think its an appropriate time nfor your petty little sectarian nonsense.
you are a disgrace
Maybe Niall doesnt know who you are, Trotwatch or why you use that name today.
The fact is NO ONE cares who you are or why you you use silly names. You are irelevent and so are your arguments. And even more so when we have a situation like down in the st patricks
The fact that you say "I see you have ignored the question about RBB..." shows clearly you are more interested in schoolyards politics of name calling and mud slinging than showing support to these people.
Let me just say fair play to all who have shown their support and have been posting stuff here over the past few days, jon, sinead ni bhrion, michael y, to name a few.
"theres are people whose lives are at risk here a and you think its an appropriate time nfor your petty little sectarian nonsense."
Yes and I want to help those people but RBB is just using this as an opportunity to raise his profile putting his name three times in a press release. Has RBB ever been on a RAR protest? Maybe he was buisy for all of the RAR protests at the GNIB. Or maybe his abscence was due to the fact that he had certain members of RAR expelled from the SWP and cannot stand RAR because he knows he cannot control it..
The SWP just see this as an opportunity to wave their placards, sell their papers and pester people to join the SWP. It is the SWP who are engaging in petty little sectarian nonsense.
When someone posted: "theres are people whose lives are at risk here a and you think its an appropriate time nfor your petty little sectarian nonsense."
Trotwatch replies: "Yes..."
What a joker- templemore mustnt teach you much about undercover work. You need to upskill- you dont sound convincing enough to be a real activist.
Its obvious that you are an SWP member. Read my post and you will see that I am saying yes I support the Afghans. I support them without having any agenda. Thats more than can be said for RBB and the SWP. How many new recruits today?
Ok maybe your part of the Garda Reserve Force and you havent been brought up to speed on covert operations?
Just because someone criticises you for being a cop doesnt make them a member of the swp.
Just because somebody criticises the SWP, it doesn't make them a cop!
It has now been established that out there exist those who do not like RBB and think hes an opportunist. I dont have his picture in a locket either but whats central here is offering support to the Afghan Hunger-Strikers. So lets stick to that and leave RBB & the SWP out of it or if you feel you cannot then you can always start up another story-line about him (but your energy could be better spent). But not here, its done to death on this story-line.
Just because somebody criticises a cop, doesn't make them an swp member!
So I think Pat C is correct let Trotwatch go on his merry way from Store Street and have his usual dig at swp elsewhere and this story should remain on the issue. Sanity at last.
Statement was well written whoever wrote it and no matter whose name is on it.
Support the Hunger strikers and no deportations.
does anyone know what time the protest starts at to morrow at mc dowells office in dublin and is there any other protests on and where?
There is a logic that your country has contributed and profited by polluting Afghanistan with war. A bit rich, that you should be surprised when people are forced to flee and seek refuge. A bit like all those Irish who went to England, Australia and every where else or have you forgot? Is amnesia & selective memory central to your culture. Stop whinging about the refugees you create with the support to the war machine you give at Shannon Airport. Denial just ain't a river in Egypy Blaise.
I'm a bit lost here in the land of Oz - did we fleeing Irishmen stage hunger strikes in famous cathedrals - do you know of governments we held hostage while we were visiting, because I am not aware of any countries which we had that kind of presence in. I think basically Irishmen went about their business in the countries which welcomed them. If a Prod or Mick were fleeing the troubles in the North when it was really violent there, would they hole themselves up in some big cathedral in London - demanding assylum from the British? Doubt it. Please don't get carried away with that Shannon business like the hunger protest spokesmen. I don't agree with our allignment on that matter but let's not overblow its complicit nature. We harboured Germans during World War 11 and we also got hit by them. And we had soldiers fight for England - but you wouldn't realistically categorize Ireland as an ally to Britian and America during that turbulent period of history.
I'm as compassionate as the next guy and I am not suffering from amnesia. Sure it's easy to take parting shots from a distance but our government has to be stern on this matter.
we fleeing Irishmen stage hunger strikes in famous cathedrals - do you know of governments we held hostage while we were visiting, because I am not aware of any countries which we had that kind of presence in. I think basically Irishmen went about their business in the countries which welcomed them.
I take it then you're not aware of the 1804 Rebellion in Australia? (B.t.w., you should keep your story straight, you used to claim to be in Toronto).
What about those most romantic and famous of emigre Irishmen the Wild Geese? This recent article in Counterpunch details their brigandage in their host country of France and also their contributions of later Irish to organised crime in the US:
http://www.counterpunch.org/cassidy05132006.html
Oh and what about those pub bombings in England in the recent past? Were those Irishmen not welcomed into the country and trying to hold the government hostage?) Really, your proposition is completely laughable and foolish. In fact the whole post follows a common pattern: assert without proof and then ask a question which insinuates. The only person you're fooling is yourself.
who are these hunger strikers...supporters of the taliban regime. This regime suppressed women entirely, there was no consideration for human rights. Should you not be aware of who you are supporting. Would you support Hitler if he was looking for asylum.
It would be a good idea to know who you are supporting unless you just like to disagree with the government. They can't get it wrong all the time. Support valid causes of injustice. Without the files on the hungerstrikers how do you know you are not supporting a killer.
The taliban were ignorant bullies along the lines of all tyrants past. Why would you support them ????
I've seen the claim that one of the 41 men (or around 2% of them) worked for the Taliban regime, I'm not sure if this claim is true though. On the other hand the statement that the men themselves issued included as problems with Afghnistan that there were restrictions on freedom of the press, religion, movement and associations, .. discrimination against women and minorities, so its pretty clear as a group they don't agree with Taliban policy (which on these issues was a more extreme version of the policy of the current regime).
Given that the men's statement has been on indymedia (twice) since Sunday I guess you have just started reading these threads rather than spinning claims that you know are not a fair reflection of their postion.
Statement at http://www.indymedia.ie/article/76104
who are these hunger strikers...supporters of the taliban regime. This regime suppressed women entirely, there was no consideration for human rights. Should you not be aware of who you are supporting. Would you support Hitler if he was looking for asylum.
If the 41 refugees from the highly dangerous, war-torn country of Afghanistan liked abusing women, children and men and loved sharia then they could do no better than staying in that unstable, battered, US/UK occupied war zone. Given that the Northern Alliance and the Taliban agreed happily on abusing women and the Taliban are recognised to in control and present still in huge areas of the country it would be a paradise. The fact that they've fled indicates that they don't like it (and they're extremely lucky to have got out).
Would YOU return a refugee from N.Korea, or a jew from Hitler's Germany? Would you return a 16-year old boy to a country in which he'll be abused, starved and possibly murdered? Are you a racist? Are you a confused, immoral, callous idiot? Are you?
B.t.w., don't bother to answer, I know what you are.
Many nazi's escaped pretending to be refugees....
I am only interested in the facts and thats what i was chasing...
You don't know who I am....and you don't know who they are
You are responding emotionally ....without full knowledge....Unless all aspects of a case are known truth and justice will remain hidden......
I would really like to know why we are not getting any of this backround information ......
Has it escaped everybody's notice that some of these 'hunger strikers' have claimed to be former officials of the Taliban regime? Has everyone forgotten the human rights abuses committed by Taliban against ordinary Afghans?
It seems that certain individuals/organisations would be willing to affiliate themselves to anyone, once they are demanding asylum!
in reply to Risible - you say 'If the 41 refugees from the highly dangerous, war-torn country of Afghanistan liked abusing women, children and men and loved sharia then they could do no better than staying in that unstable, battered, US/UK occupied war zone. Given that the Northern Alliance and the Taliban agreed happily on abusing women and the Taliban are recognized to in control and present still in huge areas of the country it would be a paradise. The fact that they've fled indicates that they don't like it (and they're extremely lucky to have got out)' what you seem to be saying is that anyone who has left Afghanistan has left a country where the abuse of women and human rights is universally possible and therefore anyone who has left must not be in support of such actions. This is simplistic logic and not one on which to base the decision on whether or not to allow these 40 men to stay in Ireland. Their actions so far - threats of self harm, threats to starve themselves (although it is dubious as to whether they actually are on a hunger strike as it was reported in todays media that one ate food and demanded to be then allowed to resume his 'hunger strike') - are indicative of people who are used to getting what they want by force, people such as the Taliban, who took power by force in Afghanistan and attempted to force all Afghans to live by their version of Islamic law. Why are they taking these actions when most of them have not exhausted the asylum process and when at least one of them has been granted refugee status and another 'humanitarian leave to remain'? There is an asylum system in place, albeit imperfect, it is unfair to other applicants for asylum if these particular individuals were allowed to bypass the normal channels simply because they have made threats. Again, it seems that certain groups and individuals are willing to jump on any bandwagon once it involves an application for asylum!
1. To equate going on hunger strike and threatening self-harm with the actions of the taliban is incredibly stupid. There was nothing about the afghans' behaviour that was remotely threatening to anybody else and comparing them to violent taliban thugs is not only stupid but very nasty as well.
2. It is not "dubious" whether they are on hunger strike. One person ate food while in hospital after medical treatment.
3. Yes some of them have not exhausted the asylum process but many have and i presume the others are showing solidarity with them, and also are not confident that their asylum process will have a fair outcome.
4. Your use of the word "imperfect" to descibe our asylum process is quite an understatement since people are being deported back to what is practically a warzone.
Dear Dave,
In response to your comments:
1. To equate going on hunger strike and threatening self-harm with the actions of the taliban is incredibly stupid. There was nothing about the afghans' behavior that was remotely threatening to anybody else and comparing them to violent taliban thugs is not only stupid but very nasty as well.
Some of the 'hunger strikers' have stated that their reasons for seeking asylum are due to their support for the Taliban regime. Therefore, they themselves have identified themselves as Taliban. This is confirmed in numerous media reports. Also, while not directly threatening, the threat to 'self harm' whether it be through starvation, hanging or mutilation exerts a threat of emotional blackmail against the Irish public and State. And it appears from public opinion that most Irish people do not appreciate these attempts to emotionally blackmail them, judging from the almost complete lack of public support for the 'hunger strikers'.
2. It is not "dubious" whether they are on hunger strike. One person ate food while in hospital after medical treatment.
It is indeed dubious as whether these men were on hunger strike. As far as I know, 'hunger strike' means the complete cessation of food intake, not a cessation and resumption whenever the so called hunger striker wishes, If any one of them took food while on a hunger strike, well then its obvious...whoever took food is not on hunger strike!!!
3. Yes some of them have not exhausted the asylum process but many have and i presume the others are showing solidarity with them, and also are not confident that their asylum process will have a fair outcome.
It seems that most of them have not been fully through the asylum system, seeing as a few of them have yet to be interviewed by the Refugee Applications Commissioner, one of them has been granted asylum and more of them are in the midst of the system. What were they 'hunger striking' about? That their cases may not be heard in a manner according to their liking...?
4. Your use of the word "imperfect" to describe our asylum process is quite an understatement since people are being deported back to what is practically a warzone.
When has anyone ever been deported from Ireland to a 'warzone'? No deportations have ever took place to Afghanistan from Ireland, and none have been planned by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (although hopefully that will change after the previous weeks display in St Patricks Cathedral, in relation to anybody guilty of human rights abuses under the Taliban regime). Hence the reason why some of those have been in Ireland for a number of years, even after they have been found not to be refugees. Your statement that 'people are being deported back to what is practically a warzone' is completely untrue Dave...where do you get your 'facts' from??
Gerri,
Your message brings up a number of issues. Having supported and spoken to a number of the Afghani hunger strikers over the last week, I thought it may be useful for you, and people who may share some of your views, to read excerpts of an interview from Zbigniew Brzezinski, President Jimmy Carter's National Security Adviser. In it, he clarifies the role that the U.S. government played in the creation of Islamist terrorism in the form of the Taliban.
However, and before moving onto that, let me ask a question: Does being a nephew of a Taliban Minister, presuming it is true and not another fabrication by 'friendly' media, of which they have been many [check today's Indo pls] disqualify a war refugee from all the asylum conventions? Do you, obviously a thinking Irish citizen, subscribe to the theory of collective punishment? Are we, therefore, predisposed to treat here in Ireland, in the same manner the sons and daughters, not to be talking of nephews, of many of our own criminals? Shall I mention names? Think about it...think of the 'General'.....of O'Duffy....of Scappatici....think pls
And when you finished thinking of the above, consider the fact that our Coalition Government is openly and unashamedly collaborating in the war going on in Afghanistan...planes leave from Shannon for Kabul 2-3 times a week. Just think. Over 100 people were killed in Afghanistan last Tuesday and Wednesday in the southern Afghani provines in shootings and bombings. MMcD calls that "a few disturbances"...are we to blame his nephews, if he has any the poor sods, for that kind of arrogance and incoherence? Some may even go as for as to define that kind of statement as "criminal" - what do you think?
Here's the interview.
Question: The former director of the CIA, Robert Gates, stated in his memoirs ["From the Shadows"], that American intelligence services began to aid the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan 6 months before the Soviet intervention. In this period you were the national security adviser to President Carter. You therefore played a role in this affair. Is that correct?
Brzezinski: Yes. According to the official version of history, CIA aid to the Mujahadeen began during 1980, that is to say, after the Soviet army invaded Afghanistan, 24 Dec 1979. But the reality, secretly guarded until now, is completely otherwise: Indeed, it was July 3, 1979 that President Carter signed the first directive for secret aid to the opponents of the pro-Soviet regime in Kabul. And that very day, I wrote a note to the president in which I explained to him that in my opinion this aid was going to induce a Soviet military intervention.
Q: Despite this risk, you were an advocate of this covert action. But perhaps you yourself desired this Soviet entry into war and looked to provoke it?
B: It isn't quite that. We didn't push the Russians to intervene, but we knowingly increased the probability that they would.
Q: When the Soviets justified their intervention by asserting that they intended to fight against a secret involvement of the United States in Afghanistan, people didn't believe them. However, there was a basis of truth. You don't regret anything today?
B: Regret what? That secret operation was an excellent idea. It had the effect of drawing the Russians into the Afghan trap and you want me to regret it? The day that the Soviets officially crossed the border, I wrote to President Carter: We now have the opportunity of giving to the USSR its Vietnam war. Indeed, for almost 10 years, Moscow had to carry on a war unsupportable by the government, a conflict that brought about the demoralization and finally the breakup of the Soviet empire.
Q: And neither do you regret having supported the Islamic fundamentalism, having given arms and advice to future terrorists?
B: What is most important to the history of the world? The Taliban or the collapse of the Soviet empire? Some stirred-up Moslems or the liberation of Central Europe and the end of the cold war?
Q: Some stirred-up Moslems? But it has been said and repeated: Islamic fundamentalism represents a world menace today.
B: Nonsense! It is said that the West had a global policy in regard to Islam. That is stupid. There isn't a global Islam. Look at Islam in a rational manner and without demagoguery or emotion. It is the leading religion of the world with 1.5 billion followers. But what is there in common among Saudi Arabian fundamentalism, moderate Morocco, Pakistan militarism, Egyptian pro-Western or Central Asian secularism? Nothing more than what unites the Christian countries.
***
Translated from the French by Bill Blum, author of "Killing Hope: US Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II" and "Rogue State: A Guide to the World's Only Superpower" Portions of the books can be read at:
http://members.aol.com/superogue/homepage.htm
Dear Michael
Here in Ireland, neither the state nor its institutions subscribe to the idea of collective punishment. Therefore, if one of the Afghan asylum applicants was merely the nephew of a high ranking official in the Taliban regime, and not active in such a regime himself, his status as a nephew would not preclude him from receiving recognition as a refugee. However, if he or either of his fellow Afghan asylum seekers had participated in the mass human rights abuses committed by the Taliban, either in as an official or in an unofficial capacity, this could mean that under the law, they are not entitled to refugee status.
Investigations carried out by the various agencies within the Department of Justice into the claims of these men will determine the likelihood of whether or not they are in danger of persecution in Afghanistan. These investigations will rely on both the statements of the applicants and independent sources. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has praised the systems in place in Ireland for determining refugee status and called on these protesters to cease their protest. However it seems that what these men wanted was to bypass the normal procedures and to be unreservedly granted refugee status. It is a fundamental tenet of the law that each case is unique and must be dealt with on an individual basis. It seems that anything less than a recognition of refugee status and the granting of such people the right to remain in Ireland and all attached rights/benefits, is deemed to be at best, unfair or stupid and at worst, 'racist' by certain organizations and pressure groups.
Neither you nor I have the full facts regarding any of these men's claims for refugee status or as to the precise reasons they claim to fear returning to Afghanistan. The individuals concerned will give their stories to the Department of Justice and their claims can be decided from there. It is simply not true to say that each and every person from Afghanistan is entitled to refugee status. As the United Nations High Commission for Refugee representative in Ireland pointed out, Afghanistan is a diverse society, which is why each claim needs to be determined individually, which is why these men and every other applicant for asylum should enter the process, deemed by the UNHCR an international and independent body to be fair and equitable.
The war in Afghanistan is a completely different issue. Even if one does not supports American/UK activities in Afghanistan or Ireland's role in helping American interests in this regard, one does not have to support unreservedly and blindly, each and every person arriving in this country claiming to be a refugee.
We have systems in place for dealing with people who claim to be refugees, we need to strive to improve it. People threatening all manner of self harm unless their demands are met are attempting to undermine this system and should not be entertained. Thankfully it seems that they were not entertained and their threats to hang themselves etc came to nothing when the Gardaí removed them yesterday.