generalspeaking

Alien Alert: 'Death to Canadians'

The wish has been granted, in reverse-time mode. But then, more will occur, as the Taliban gear up again to recommence their relentless campaign to overtake Afghanistan's defences. And Kandahar province will again prove to be a deadly hot-spot. Is there any point in Canadians sitting in comfort in Canada taking umbrage at the absurdity of impoverished, ignorant, preyed-upon and violated villagers blaming the armed services of a foreign country for the deaths of their children?

Who are they then, to blame? The Taliban, who more or less control most of the province they live in, and certainly visit their village more than occasionally. Not even these vulnerable and untutored villagers are ignorant of the fact that their denunciation of the Taliban as being responsible for ordnance killing their children will bring swift response and death to them. There is a wry irony in their claims that Canadians are guilty, and maledictions are brought down on Canada.

Rashid Village, where these people come from, holds disabled people, those who have been maimed by landmines and bombs. These people represent the most vulnerable of the vulnerable in a land that peace and kindness has historically overlooked. A war-torn society governed by a vicious brand of Islam, perverted for the personal advantage of scurrilous clerics interpreting the Koran for their purpose, enslaving the population, to an indigent and fearful existence.

They're not all that far from Kandahar City, in the Panjwaii District, where Canada has its military presence. Canadian soldiers, like all other foreigners in the country are seen by most of the population as occupiers, not defenders. This is a closed culture with a long tradition of suspicion of foreigners, and with good reason, given their long troubled history.

Two young boys, and then an even younger one, were killed by an explosion near their village. The Canadian military is careful to clean up after their firing range practises. It seems that the Afghan police investigating the incident, and confirmed by some villagers, feel that a Taliban-fired mortar round was responsible. The area, however, is acknowledged to be dangerous, littered with mines and unexploded ordnance.

There is an active and ongoing war situation there. According to a report recently published by the United Nations, civilian deaths are increasing in the country. A record 2,118 civilians were killed last year alone. And while the Taliban are held to be responsible for some 55% of those deaths, NATO cross-fire and accidental weapons discharge may be responsible for the balance.

For the Afghan villagers, the distinction is that they may be killed through haphazard incidents by either the foreign troops, or the Taliban. The Taliban, it should be remembered, are Afghan tribes people, not foreigners. The Taliban claim to be fighting for religious, political independence from foreign interference and occupation.

The current government of Afghanistan is held almost universally in contempt. By its own people, for failing to represent them and their needs even notionally. And by the international community, particularly the NATO-led and UN-allied countries whose troops struggle to counteract the Taliban, and whose NGOs, civilian volunteers and diplomats struggle equally to bring the country's infrastructure into the 20th Century.

So when protesters, bearing the bodies of two lifeless young boys, destroyed by instruments of war not of their making or wanting, but imposed upon them by forces they cannot reckon with, hobble into town on crutches to make known their grief and dissent at their condition, shouting "death to Canadians", along with slogans of defiance against their local government, much can be read into the situation.

Bridle at the offence? Take umbrage at the ignorance? Express doubt about remaining there, leaving our military open to further danger? And what for? To be condemned by the very people whose interests mandate our presence? Take a deep breath, and look at the misery of the people and the situation in the round.

There are no solutions on the near horizon. Only managed chaos, and eventual, dissatisfied withdrawal, leaving the country to fester once again. Next door to its critically failing neighbour. Two countries suffering the incurable disease of fascist fanaticism.

Would that it could be confined there.

Labels: Realities, Traditions, Troublespots, World Crises

posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, February 24, 2009