Newspaper says Russia should do more to help Afghanistan
Text of editorial: "Russia should take part in the reconstruction of Afghanistan" by Afghan daily newspaper
Eslah on 16 June
The Russian ambassador in Kabul, Mr [Zamir] Kabulov, has said the reason for the slow pace of Russian assistance to
Afghanistan is the outstanding loans given to Afghanistan by the former Soviet Union. He has said that the Russian
parliament cannot agree with the provision of extensive economic assistance to Afghanistan until the issue of the
outstanding Soviet loans to Afghanistan are resolved.
Political, military and social crisis which shattered the social life structure of the people of Afghanistan was the
result of the mistakes and shortsighted policies of the former Soviet Union. Those policies not only resulted in the
destruction of our country but also created a major economic, political and military crisis which undermined the region
and the world.
On the basis of this fact, the heir of the former Soviet Union, Russia, should have played a considerable role in the
reconstruction of Afghanistan and the effectiveness of its performance in different areas should have been visible.
However, it is with regret that the only assistance Russia has offered has been a small number of military hardware and
[some] training for Afghan military officers in Russia. If Russian authorities want restoration of peace and security in
the Central Asian Republics and Transcaucasia, they should realize that undoubtedly peace and security in our country
has a close links with peace and stability in those countries. Therefore, Russia should, like other countries, sincerely
participate in the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
After the establishment of the transitional Islamic administration, many analysts were of the opinion that in order
to gain confidence of the people of Afghanistan, Russia should not only pay war reparation to Afghanistan but should
also participate in the reconstruction of the country actively and effectively. However, unfortunately, not only did
Russian authorities not play a role in the war against terrorism in Afghanistan but also remained indifferent to the
reconstruction of our country and demanded payment of loans given by the former Soviet Union.
In order to gain confidence of the public, Russia should play an active role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan and
should not consider ensuring peace and stability as cooperation with Afghans, because law and order and stability in our
country could mean the return of real peace to the Central Asian republics and the Transcaucasia.
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