Anniversary Events
Adversarial events, in fact. Almost a century will have gone by, but memories are long, very long, in places like Afghanistan. This is a country where the 13th Century lives alongside the 20th Century; its inhabitants may never access the 21st Century. But they do have long, very long memories.In 1919, the country became independent from its colonial overseer, Great Britain. The day of independence following a series of wars, has long been seen as a national holiday. The Taliban in particular loathe the presence of British military in Afghanistan: "Now the British have invaded our country again and they will recognize our independence day again."
There was a well planned and executed Taliban attack on the British Council, located in Kabul on Friday. The British Council, in operation since 1934 - with its focus to promote cultural connections with other countries also teaches English in Afghanistan. There had been no threats issued beforehand, the attack was sudden and unexpected.
At dawn Taliban attacked, bombing the facility, killing a New Zealand Special Air Service soldier and ten Afghan guards, policemen and people passing by. There were five attackers dressed in suicide vests, carrying assault rifles, heavy machine guns and grenades. Once inside the compound walls, one of the terrorists held Afghan police at bay for hours.
Three Afghan guards were killed along with three Gurkhas - and three Afghans were injured in the many long and anxious hours that passed before the attack was finally over. Two female teachers and a guard were released unharmed from a safe room where they had waited out the frightening hours of the attack.
The Taliban released a statement confirming the timing of the attack to recognize the 92nd anniversary of the country's release from British rule. Afghans are notorious for their suspicion and detestation of foreigners among them; understandable for a country and a population that has experienced, as fiercely independent people, one occupation after another.
British Prime Minister David Cameron condemned the assault. It was indeed most uncivilized. However, "it will not stop the British Council and indeed our whole effort in Afghanistan to bring stability and peace to that country."
That sounds noble, but then this is the British way; nobility of purpose and thought. Despite that England has proven incapable of instilling stability and peace within its own domain.
Labels: Afghanistan, Britain, Conflict, Traditions
posted by Pieface @ Monday, August 22, 2011
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