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From: AHMAD MESDAQ
Date: 19 Oct 1999
Time: 00:22:05
Remote Name: 98ad002f.ipt.aol.com
October 18, 1999:
Secretary General United Nations, Kofi Annan
Room 5-201 United Nations NY, New York 10017 Dear Secretary General of the United Nations:
This letter is in reference to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the baseless sanctions that are being imposed. I am an Afghan who has lived in exile for the past 15 years in a western country. My university level education has provided me with substantial knowledge about the United States Constitution and it’s democratic principles. To my understanding, the United Nations is based upon similar fundamental principles of peace and preservation of human rights throughout the world. Yet, unfortunately, it has placed unjustified sanctions upon the Emirate of Afghanistan. The sanctions are only adding to the decades of suffering that were caused by the invasion of Soviet Union and more recently by warlords such as Berhanudeen Rabanni. In the 1980’s several democratic countries (United States of America, United Kingdom, France, Germany and others) financially and strategically backed the Mujahidden movement in Afghanistan. The United States supported various Islamic governments and encouraged them to provided financial and moral support to the Mujahideen freedom fighters. After the defeat of the Soviet regime, neighboring countries have been interfering with the internal affairs of Afghanistan. Pro-Iranian groups have had a large political and financial influence upon Afghanistan. They have gathered support from certain minority groups and have been imposing their own political agendas. According to data reported by Reuters news source in September 1986, pro-Iranian groups alone were responsible for the genocide of 35,000 prominent Afghan intellectuals. During the reign of so-called “opposition” groups, the amount of human rights violations reached disturbing proportions. Warlords such as Berhanudeen Rabanni, Ali Mazari, and Abdul Rasheed Dustom, Abdul Rasoud Sayaf, and Ahmed Shah Masood were responsible for crimes of looting, robbery, theft, widespread rape, and destruction of Afghan infrastructure. These same warlords are the ones that had been politically and financially supported by the western countries as well as the so-called “Islamic” governments. Amnesty International records alone indicate that during the years between the Soviet invasion and the government of Berhanudeen Rabanni (before the Taliban) crimes committed against humanity and the reporting cases could fill an entire dictionary. Where was the United Nations at that time? During these times of rampant genocide – the United Nations did not, in any capacity, once condemn the atrocities that were taking place at that time. Human rights violations were never even considered and no sanctions were enforced. Also, the massive flow of arms coming from Iran and the former Soviet Republic was never acknowledged. In 1994 the Taliban (students) began their campaign against the atrocities being committed by the current government. Their successful campaign overthrew the self-proclaimed Afghan leaders (warlords) with the help of local civilians. Soon after that, the movement gained momentum, and became widely supported by Afghans. The people of Afghanistan volunteered to fight for their integrity and what their forefathers had fought for. Today, the areas controlled by the Taliban enjoy nothing but peace, prosperity, and the protection of basic human rights under Islamic law. It is a law that Afghans have abided by for centuries. History has proven that Afghanistan has never (and never will) tolerate the oppression imposed by other countries. In the early 1900’s Afghanistan defeated the British army. In more recent history Afghans opposed and defeated the Red Army. Afghanistan has thwarted aggressions of the Iranian government (Hizbullah), direct involvement of the former Soviet Republics (financed by Russia), as well as Pakistan. Therefore it has been proven to the world that any broad-based regime cannot prevail in Afghanistan.
The so called “6 +2” is the exact type of broad-based government that will be rejected by Afghan people once again. How can an organization such as the United Nations request such a proposal for our country after two million people have been martyred for the cause of a free Afghanistan? If the UN and the world forgave and forget the People were responsible for the holocaust in war world II. Then may be the Afghan will accept the “6+2” resolution. Currently, the people of Afghanistan have proclaimed the Taliban as the government of their choice. Despite the fact that the Emirate of Afghanistan is bringing hope for the return of displaced Afghans throughout the world, the United Nations has made this increasingly difficult because of the sanctions. It is surprising to Afghan people throughout the world, that there is not a representative of the Emirate of Afghanistan at the United Nations. We don’t understand why the former opposition government still retains a seat on the Council of United Nations. The United Nations still recognizes a government that essentially does not exist and is responsible for wide-scale genocide in Afghanistan. The United Nations speaks about the violation of human rights committed by the Taliban. But, for Afghans, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is preserving human rights. It is a government that protects its civilians from robbery, bribery, forceful inter-marriages, and rape. Such crimes deserve severe punishment under current law. We are honored that the Taliban has taken measures to protect basic human rights. It will take time, education, financial stability, and understanding to restore the preservation of our culture. The Taliban is making such progress and effectively rehabilitating the society through the simple understanding of the basics of religion. Islam promotes goodwill, peace, and basic human rights. During the war, Afghan children were forcefully taken outside of Afghanistan and were trained and educated in Soviet training camps. Those children have no knowledge of Afghan culture and history. Men were forced into military service and people were prohibited from practicing their religious customs. In schools, the Afghan system of education was replaced with Marxism. Our country’s history was rewritten. Afghan literature and religion was eradicated. The young generation raised during the years of war with the Soviet Union has no knowledge of Afghan history or religion. The Soviet Regime uprooted the people’s sense of national pride and heritage.Even after the defeat of the Soviet Union, Iran contributed to further devastation by introducing a misleading system of education. Propaganda was meant to brainwash and further disassociate Afghanistan students from their culture. The children who were ten years old at the time are now 30. In order to rehabilitate the society it takes tremendous effort and financial backing. And I have yet to see the UN take any steps to aid Afghan women, children, and young adults that have been witness to nothing in their lives except war. Under the Emirate of Afghanistan the preservation of our culture is underway. We feel safer and more secure. Once again people are returning to normal ways of life. More exiled Afghans seek to return to their homeland than ever before. The people seek to preserve their culture and religion. That is why the Taliban movement has been so popular among the people – but still there is much to be done. There are people who need food, medicines, clothes, and shelter. There are still thousands of refugees living abroad. United Nations should represent diplomacy and humanitarian assistance. We as Afghans believe that there is not enough diplomatic effort on behalf of the United Sates and the United Nations to recognize the Taliban as a legitimate government supported by 90 % of the people in our country. It is a government brought about by the power of the people. There are more than 200,000 educated and actively voting Afghans living in the United States and their voices should not be ignored. To “NOT recognize our government is to insult our intelligence”. We have lost our faith in democracy – because it is only a theory implemented in the United States- and nowhere else. It is offensive to live abroad in democratic societies, while at the same time, the United Nations is recognizing a non-existent government. It is my obligation to people living in Afghanistan to help voice their concerns. I would like to make one thing clear. Afghans are neither terrorist nor support terrorism. I want to be firm on this subject. We have lost over two million people fighting against terrorism. We take a lot of pride on this issue as Afghans. So we firmly condemn any acts of terrorism against any race or society. Because, we ourselves, have been the victims of a terrorist campaign for the past twenty years. As Afghans, we are very sensitive of this issue. A decade ago Afghans were victims of genocide by the Soviet Red Army. Now the people have become victims of UN sanctions. When will the atrocities and suffering end? It is time for the devastation to end and the reinfrastructuring of our country to begin. Let the devastation be an example to our children - That, this massacre of Afghan people will never happen again. The UN should work closely with the Emirate of Afghanistan to promote peace and stability.
I believe strongly that the UN and Taliban government could accomplish great political gains if they work together. The Taliban has never been given the chance to prove itself. Dear Secretary General – I strongly urge you to consider these issues – and recognize the Emirate of Afghanistan. Mutual work through diplomatic channels could resolve differences. By recognizing the Emirate of Afghanistan government you would give the Afghan government an obligation to fulfill international laws. I would like to conclude my letter by requesting the reconsideration of the current UN policies. The UN should bring Ahmed Shah Masood, Berhanudeen Rabhanni, Gulbudeen Hekmatry’s, Rasheed Dustom, Abdul Rasoud Sayaf and General Melik to be tried as war criminals that have committed genocide against Afghan civilians. Justice would then prevail. Thank you very much for taking time to read this letter. We will sincerely be waiting for a response. I hope that this letter effects you as a father, husband, and a leader who can make a difference in the world. Please take measures to stop the injustice that our country is facing.
Sincerely,
Ahmed Omar Mesdaq 560 FIFTH AVE SAN DIEGO CA 92101 USA