NEW YORK (PAN): Visiting United States to know firsthand how administration works, the eight provincial governors have made an impressive and effective case for Afghanistan during their stay in Washington.
The eight Afghan provincial governors concluded the Washington-leg of their trip Friday during which they met senior Congressmen, top officials in Administration and President Bush himself.
The governors are Arsallah Jamal (Khost), Mohammad Akram Khpalwak (Paktika); Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi (Kunar), Enayatullah Enayat (Samangan), Dr. Assadullah Hamdam (Uruzgan), Sultan Ali Orzgani (Dai Kundi), Abdul Haq Shafaq (Samangan) and Bahloul Bahij (Panjshir(
During all these meetings, these Governors effectively articulated the case of their country and what needs to be done by the international community, in particular the US, so as to not only defeat the Taliban, but also lead towards self-reliance and capacity building of the country.
We had a very candid and frank discussion with President Bush, Governor Jamal told Pajhwok Afghan News in an interview on behalf of the visiting governors.
During these meetings, he said the Governors brought five key points to their notice.
Specifically referring to the 30-minute meeting with Bush early this week, Jamal said: We requested him to have an individual financial package developed for Afghanistan in separation of Iraq. Afghanistan should not be tied with Iraq, he said.
The governors also made it clear that the funding given to Afghanistan in last six years is lower than those given to other post-war countries like Bosnia. We told the Administration, Senators and the President particularly that more funding is required in order to get the momentum, in order to be successful in the fight, he said.
We also told them that this funding should be channeled through the Afghan ministry. The donor should be encouraged to give more money through the Afghan Government and not through the NGO and other non-governmental channels, he said.
This would build the confidence of the people in the Government. This is important so that people would be looking at their government for assistance rather than the foreign embassies, Jamal argued.
The Governors told them that they were disturbed by the recent reports issued in the US that Afghanistan is on the verge of becoming a failed State. We do not agree with that one. A lot has been accomplished, but we have a long way to go.
Jamal said the Governors also raised the issue of special operation and civilian casualties. This is one of the most significant issues which the enemy is using against us among the masses. This is a very powerful propaganda tool against the government. This undermines the government relationship with the people, he said.
We also requested for more funding through PRTs, which we find as a more effective mechanism to deliver aid effectively in the provinces, he said.
Expressing satisfaction over the trip so far, Jamal said Bush gave them assurances on these issues. Things are moving, but we want more speed and co-ordination in that. We understand the need for that, he said.
After concluding the official meeting in Washington, the Governors now headed for Nebraska, California and New Mexico to understand local governance and how the system works in these States.
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