The face of Afghanistan is one of hope and peace. The Afghan people are not aggressors. They are very capable of good alliances with benevolent and loyal intentions with all that care to embrace their reality and culture. It's time to place leadership in the Executive Branch that can lead in cooperation without the threat of death to citizens.
...President Hamid Karzai called on the USA and Iran to meet and begin diplomatic relations to 'iron out' the differences that would surely prove to be a difficulty for a new burgeoning democracy in Aghanistan. The President of Afghanistan had received the blessing of the former and now late King (click here) whom saw a great deal of hope for his people under President Karzai's leadership. He was right to do so. It has been nearly six years since the initial attacks on the USA and President Karzai has survived any speculation to his demise after a short time (click here).
....But when the two men greeted reporters here on Monday, Mr. Bush pointedly disagreed, saying, “I would be very cautious about whether the Iranian influence in Afghanistan is a positive force.”
Iran has sent workers to Afghanistan to provide aid to villages, but American officials contend that Tehran is also funneling weapons into the country. Mr. Bush has long viewed Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism, and is deeply suspicious of its nuclear ambitions, a view he reiterated Monday even as he said he was “willing to listen” to Mr. Karzai’s position....
Bush is "W"rong on all counts regarding his Neocon directives on this issue. As a matter of fact Bush needs to apologize to the naitons of the Middle East for escalating instability and international tension in the region.
When the USA first launched an attack against the Taliban whom was harboring al Qaeda in Afghanistan, Iran was a very, very different country. It was far more peaceful than now. As a point of reference and reality to the tensions between Iran and the USA; Mahmoud Ahmadinejad became the sixth Iranian President on August 6, 2005. That's all the time that has gone by since the elections that changed the face of Iran from 'fearful' of the war in Iraq to a nation with the potential to build nuclear weapons. That's all the time, only two years later and about two and a half years after Bush/Cheney invaded Iraq illegally.
If I were to walk in an Iranian's shoes would I expect my country to protect me, a Shi'ite from all that could happen to me, those I loved and the only Shia nation on Earth? I would expect that of my country if there was a war being waged illegally, immorally, ruthlessly even, bordering on genocide and certainly engaged for economic reasons of exploitation of oil resources BELONGING to the citizens of a country that shared so much border with mine. Absolutely, I feel the Iranians are justified in their worry. They have USA intelligence peeking into their borders all the time and a president now occupying the Executive Branch of a militarily powerful country threatening to invade their country now that Iraq's oil is guaranteed through contracts with a 'figure head government' in Baghdad.
That 'fearful' country of Iran didn't exist on September 12, 2001. Not at all, as a matter of fact, the Iranian ally; Russia; was first on the scene in Afghanistan with medical hospitals to treat the wounded of Americans attacking their invaders. Russia was a friend. An ally. Now look at the mess that exists. My, my how things have changed.
But, as for Iran, President Hamid Karzai is more than correct. He needs to have peaceful relations with all the countries bordering with and near Afghanistan. Absolutely and without a doubt in my mind. I consider President Karzai an honorable man. I do not believe he is looking to exploit Afghanistan for power and some nuclear future, unlike that of Pakistan, India and Iran. I have never heard President Karzai look toward that option in the region, but, only seeking support for the reformation of Afghanistan and a return to the 'old world' lust. Very nice.
I hope the Afghanistan people find it important enough to encourage their President to proceed with relations with Iran. If it is important enough for him to 'bring up the subject' than it is important enough for him to proceed independantly. President Karzai should be reassured the people of the USA are seeking a far better and more benevolent President that can bring stability and peace to the region without the threat of excalating war and hardship. I am more than confident that he will receive 'help' in his pursuit of relations with any country in the region of Afghanistan.
See, the difficulty in being President Karzai is that he is sincere. He wants his people lifted from poverty. He wants a democracy free of adverse economics that include Poppy production. Afghanistan is not receiving tax income from Poppy farmers, merchants and global exports. I am sure he'd rather see wine country in place of all that which still lingers as do the warlords, Bush/Cheney never stayed long enough to put out of business. It is those poppy fields that still fund the Taliban and al Qaeda.
I am sure, Bush dangled any and all fiscal support of Afghanistan over the head of President Karzai for all the cooperation a Neocon president demands. The good President of Afghanistan should look toward the years to come when the USA will be a true partner and not one that 'strong arms' it's allies.
Until then.
