Afghanistan: why a withdrawal of troops

After the 9-11 tragedy, when the US began bombing Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, the oppression of Afghan women was used as a justification for overthrowing the Taliban regime. Five weeks later America’s first lady, Laura Bush, stated triumphantly: “Because of our recent military gains in much of Afghanistan, women are no longer imprisoned in their homes.”

But unfortunately the reality shows a different picture. The people of the world should know that though the disgusting, ludicrous and oppressive rule of Taliban was over in our ill-fated Afghanistan, but this never means the end of the horrible miseries of our tortured women. Because contrary to the aspirations of our people and expectations of the world community, the Northern Alliance, these brethren-in-creed of the Taliban and Al-Qaida are again in power and generously supported by the US government.

At present, through its Operation SLIPPER, Australia has 1,080 army personnel in Afghanistan, a number which will be increased by another 550 sometime this year when combat troops are deployed to this area from Iraq. The Australian government has allocated $429 million to this Operation, plus $72.4 million for equipment on electronic counter measures in Iraq and Afghanistan; a further $122 million on Official Development Assistance (ODA); and $47 million to deploy 12 Australian Federal Police.

Four hundred Australian soldiers are carrying out “reconstruction” work in the village of Tarin Kowt in the Uruzgan province. The rest of the Australian soldiers are carrying out mainly support operations to the ISAF at airfields; and providing surveillance, security, and aiding other occupying forces in Kabul, Uruzgan and Helmand provinces.

The above is a clear indication that the “reconstruction” efforts are just a façade. It is obvious that Australia is aiding and abetting in a disastrous occupation, contrary to the 1945 UN Charter, the 1960 Declaration of Decolonization, and the 1966 International Bill of Rights.

Foreign troops have not brought democracy to Afghanistan but chaos and misery. It is time that all Australian troops are withdrawn from Afghanistan, and that the Australian Government recognises the right of the Afghan people to self-determination, as noted in the first article of the International Bill of Rights.