SAN JOSE, Calif., May 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Afghan Reconstruction and Development Center (ARDC), a division of VirtualNation, Inc. is calling for President BU.S.h to prove that the U.S. will keep its promises to the people of Afghanistan. The demand came after the tensions rose high, when 300 protesters marched in the streets of Kabul protesting the lack of substantial reconstruction aid from the U.S. and other donor nations.
"For the first time, we are beginning to see the Afghan people protesting in the streets," said Khaleda Atta, Community Relations Manager at VirtualNation. "It is very sad that it has come to this, only one year after seeing them dance in the streets and welcome international liberation from the Taliban."
Recently, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, Richard Armitage, visited Kabul in effort to finesse the riveting situation. Although these actions may have provided temporary alleviation to the protestors, the frU.S.tration and problems remain and may get out of control.
In a speech last year at the Virginia Military Institute, President BU.S.h promised that, "By helping to build an Afghanistan that is free from this evil and is a better place in which to live, we are working in the best traditions of George Marshall...Marshall knew that our military victory in World War II had to be followed by a moral victory that resulted in better lives for individual human beings." This year, BU.S.h's proposed budget for the U.S. Agency for International Development included zero funding for Afghanistan, and international pledges for reconstruction fell well below the World Bank's estimated cost of $15 billion over the next 10 years.
ARDC is calling on the White HoU.S.e to lay out a specific plan and time-line for fully funded and comprehensive reconstruction in Afghanistan. VirtualNation's ARDC would like to offer assistance to the U.S. to:
-- Present A Clear U.S. Plan Of Action To All Afghans Regarding
Reconstruction Efforts
-- Follow Up With All Donor Countries With Regard To Pledged Aid In
Reconstruction
-- Aid Afghan Government In Addressing Problem Of Unpaid Employees
-- Act On Deteriorating Security Situation Throughout Afghanistan
-- Meet With Representatives Of The Afghan-American Community For
Guidance
-- Provide Better Means Of Communication For Afghans In Afghanistan,
For U.S. Reconstruction Activities
ARDC has offered to meet with White HoU.S.e officials to support long-term Reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and serve as an impartial liaison between the Afghans and the U.S. Government. "There is simply no proof that the U.S. plans to keep its promises," said Tim Probst, Executive Director of ARDC. "In the war on terrorism, what you do after the war is as important as winning the war. If you don't build stable democratic allies and win the hearts and minds of the local people, then you haven't really accomplished anything to prevent terrorism."
Afghanistan was the first nation to help United States and Coalition Forces to root out the Taliban and the al-Qaeda network in response to the September 11, 2001 terror attacks on New York and Washington. Afghanistan is today, still one of the poorest nations in the world, with 25% of its children dying before age 5 and an average life span of 45 years. Devastations were caU.S.ed by 24 years of civil wars and poverty after being invaded by the former Soviet Union in 1979.
About ARDC
ARDC (Afghan Reconstruction and Development Center), is a division of VirtualNation, Inc. ARDC is a coalition of over 80 individuals and organizations across the globe, all committed to comprehensive and fully funded reconstruction for the Afghan people. For more information or to become an individual or corporate member, please visit www.virtualnation.org
VirtualNation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501 c (3) corporation, bridging the communications divide between individuals and organizations. VirtualNation is committed to promoting and preserving community, culture and compassion amongst the Afghan community-at-large, toward a self-reliant and responsible citizenry. VirtualNation serves as a window to link common goals and visions of inter-Afghan relations.