The Reality of Afghan Life

I believe there is a disgrace upon our nation.

Life for the Afghan people is worse in many ways after the fall of the Taliban. I believe the invasion was justifiable, but this does not excuse America and Britain for the prevailing conditions in Afghanistan today.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest nations in the world. Most of the aid money for reconstruction has been swallowed up by corruption or simply filtered back to America. The western backed war lords have power again. Organised crime and corruption have flourished. Conflict with the resurgent Taliban is widespread. In many ways peoples' lives are now worse.

Cancer rates and birth defects have greatly increased due to the use of depleted uranium weapons. These weapons are so well suited for their destructive purpose that the army will defend their use as far as possible. However the resultant effect on people’s health, even our own soldiers is terrible.

Western leaders like to say we have liberated women and brought democracy. The reality for women is more complex. Prominent Afghan women such as former Karzai minister Dr. Sima Samar have said that life is more perilous than ever for many Afghan women.

The allies dominate this part of the world because of its strategic importance and immense wealth of natural resources. For ordinary Afghans there is no happy liberation

Please consider the following further information.
Thankyou.

video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-848138069432834535
www.afghanistanafterdemocracy.com/
www.guardian.co.uk/afghanistan/story/0,1284,1044925,00.html
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/south_asia/2004/afghanistan/default.stm