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Actions speak louder than words: Analysts

Actions speak louder than words: Analysts

author avatar
5 Dec 2014 - 16:12
Actions speak louder than words: Analysts
author avatar
5 Dec 2014 - 16:12

KABUL (Pajhwok): Some political experts on Friday welcomed pledges from the international community at the London Conference to continue cooperating with the Afghan government.

Simultaneously, they asked the administration of President Ashraf Ghani to abide by its commitments to curb corruption, introduce reforms and promote good governance.

He promised to intensify efforts to combat administrative corruption if Afghanistan’s Western backers continued to provide financial assistance and military backing to his administration.

While highlighting his commitment to reforms, the president referred to his decision to reopen files on the $925 million Kabul Bank scandal, on his second day in office.

Ghani pledged to intensify efforts at Afghanistan’s self-reliance, a cut in dependence on aid, concrete results from peace parleys with the Taliban and a whole new approach to governance.

In response, the participating countries, particularly the United States of America and the UK, expressed their support for the national unity government’s bold initiatives.

Habibullah Rafi, a senior political commentator, remarked: “Holding out promises is easy, but translating them into action isn’t.” He quoted the famous saying actions speak louder than words.

Speaking exclusively to Pajhwok Afghan News, he recalled with a sense of cynicism the presidential vow to name his cabinet in 25 days. More than two months on, the Council of Ministers is yet to be unveiled.

In his overnight address to the conference delegates in London, Ghani once again said the new cabinet would be appointed in two to four weeks. “We are determined to bring people of competence, commitment, integrity and transparency to lead the programme of the government.”

But Rafi believed a strong political will, determination and bold actions were needed to implement the presidential commitments. He underlined the need for sustained focus on identifying and implementing priorities.

While taking an oblique swipe at the president and his chief executive, the analyst commented: “Their unity is already half-hearted, with each side tending to doubt the other’s commitment. This has left people disappointed.”

If the two leaders did not act with a sense of urgency on their commitments with regard to the cabinet involving efficient, competent and patriotic people, they could not survive honourably in today’s political milieu, he warned.

Another political expert urged the government to spell out their stance in a categorical fashion on gut issues to convince the world and neighbours that they were serious about taking bold steps to honour their pledges.

Bashir Bizen, known for his off-the-cuff remarks, said the new administration was up against many odds and challenges, But with good management, problems including corruption could be tackled, he thought.

The masses would rise against their rulers if land-grab, the plunder natural resources, unemployment and insecurity persisted, the analyst maintained, saying the Afghans would not allow their country to slip again into chaos.

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