Little hope for Afghans in 2008

[annm4peace]

The idea that democracy can provide a solution on its own - the dogma of 2001 - has been abandoned.
By David Loyn

Kabul: After two years in which the violence in Afghanistan has become worse, it is hard to see signs of hope in 2008.


A mother, who lost three sons in the blast, cries on their dead-bodies. She says: "I sent my children to school to get education, not to be used for welcoming MPs."




The UN called 2007 the bloodiest year in Afghanistan since 2001. (AP photos)The detailed new international commitments, and promises of more money, put forward at the London Conference in January 2006, made little headway as the war against the Taliban went into a new phase.

In the south, mainly British and Canadian forces have sustained far more casualties during this period than earlier, as they have fought for control of the Pashtun heartland.

In the east, US forces have been trying to contain the insurgency in the giant White Mountain range, hampered by a porous border to the Taliban recruiting grounds in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province on the other side.

Development assistance that matters, and the normal business of government, are difficult to provide in these areas.

To fill the vacuum the military have been taking an increasing role in providing aid; a task that they are not trained nor equipped for.

http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/2007/12/30/little-hope-for-afghans-in-2008.html