Anniversary

[Dennis Perrin]

> Dennis, as someone who argued vehemently against this "standard lefty
mode" at the time it is somewhat moving for me to witness people on the
'left' now changing their mind about that. I am also moved by the RAWA
statement that was posted - I think these women are incredibly courageous
and principled - and that is why I worry when you say that things are better
in Afghanistan now (presumably as a result of the US action?). RAWA make it
clear that this is not so in any substantive sense, that Afghanistan and
similar countries cannot make any progress until the scourge of hateful and
obscurantist Islamic fundamentalism is wiped out altogether. And believe me
it will not be any US intervention that does that.


> Tahir

I appreciate the thoughtful response, Tahir. I read RAWA's statement too,
and while I've no doubt that there remain many nightmarish things in
Afghanistan (indeed, I'll go RAWA one better -- the return of boy rape in
Kandahar), it cannot be as bad as when the Taliban and their "guests" ran
the place. I respect RAWA's underground resistance during that miserable
time, but they should go easy on the some of the rhetoric, especially if
they're not going to provide sources for their claims. And that whole
sectarian/interjection ending reminds me of Spart and RCP leaflets --
"Forward to This!!! Onward to That!!!" Come on. Let's deal in facts, not
fist-waving slogans.

No, I don't think that US intervention is the end all/be all to
Afghanistan's problems. There is much still to be done, and it will take an
international effort. But note that al-Q and the Taliban are regrouping and
preparing for another assault. They must be repelled and I'm afraid that it
will be Western arms that will have to do it. If RAWA truly wants to rid
Afghanistan of fundamentalist shit, they can begin by grabbing a rifle and
help to wipe these fuckers out.

I've posted two links -- one from the International Red Cross, the other a
somber account from The Guardian.

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/483990

http://www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,788014,00.html

DP