By: Yar Sana

Mining Minister of Afghanistan in Toronto

Afghanistan's untapped mining sector is very attractive for the world's resource companies. Toronto hosted Ibrahim Adel, Minister of Mines of Afghanistan.

On March 1, 2008 Afghan community, representatives from Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Toronto Board of Trade (World Trade Center), the Atlantic Council, the Canada India Business Council, the U.S Department of Commerce, Canadian Afghan Business council Afghan community journalists participated in this event.

Minster Adel presented a very detailed and insightful review of the activities, processes, achievements and plans of his monastery and asked the
participants to come to Afghanistan and take full advantage of these historic opportunities.

Minister Adel noted that while the Canadian mining company Hunter Dickinson did not win the "Ainak" mine bid, the company did acknowledge the full transparency of the bid evaluation process in Afghanistan.
He mentioned that there are quite a few medium and larger sized mines that are coming up for the bidding process this year and next year, and expressed his hope that Canadian mining companies will take full.

Minister mentioned that his ministry has potential to produce just 5% of Afghan mines, will make 30 000 workplaces. Minister’s speech orientation was about Ainak Copper Mine in the province Lougar , Afghanistan.

After minister’s speech, in a briefing community journalists had an opportunity for questions. I as a journalist had a chance for asking the first questions. My first question was about construction of melting metal complex in Afghanistan and second question about contributing of afghan government in privatization of mine recourses. The answer of the minister for the first question was positive. Till I’m not optimist about plan of industrial countries regarding export of staples from Afghanistan and selling of goods back to Afghanistan. The answer for my second question was very sad for Afghan and big damage for economy of Afghanistan. As everyone knows contribution of government in an economy sector usually reaches 51%. But contribution of Afghan government in privatization of mine recourse will be 28-35%, as mentioned minister of mines.

My colleague Dr. Lalzad from the monthly newspaper, “Andisha-eNau”(New view), asked a controversial question about uranium mines in province of Helmand, which at the hand of British Army. Minister wanted to skip the answer, but Afghan-Canadian journalists persisted the question.” British Army gourds the uranium mines in Helmand, they couldn’t exploited for security reason”, said minister. The problem is very serious and interesting. It’s more than interesting, that all media in the world don’t have even one story about existing of uranium mines in Afghanistan and involvement of British army in this extra important issue.

The most controversial issue in briefing was the problem of illegal exploitation of Afghan mines by private people, warlords, and contraband. “Unfortunately our government and international coalition forces still not able to prevent illegal exploitation of mines resources, specially jewels and gold”. Answered Minister Adel.

Why 50 thousands of soldiers from “international community”, Afghanistan Army and Police not able to protect the mines in Afghanistan? The answer is very simple. The most members of this government involved or participant of the spoiling in Afghanistan and are they getting support from their international friends. Their all together involved in this problem and interested on inability of Afghan government to protect mines resources.

That’s why war and instability continues in Afghanistan. In my opinion illegal exploitation of mines resources will be a reality for decades.

Islamic despotism under flag of “Democracy”

(Death penalty for an afghan young journalist)

Unfortunately afghan government founded a large structural “shara-e-ulama” (cleric counsel). for religious fanatics, which are using the governments support. These organizations are always standing against freedom, progress and independent media. They use religion as a tool for their anti democratic activities.

Parvis Kambakhsh a young afghan journalist was accused and has been unlawfully detained for three months for possessing an article, which discussed controversial verses of The Quran regarding women’s rights. Kambakhsh is student of in the journalist faculty in Balkh university and also working for an independent newspaper “Jehan-e-Naw”.

The case was mentioned by Balkh provincial “shara-e-ulama”). Balkh is a peaceful province, located on the northern Afghanistan, where the population are against Taliban and Osama bin Laden.

Religious “shoras” supported the decision of Balkh provincial “court. Maulavi Ghulam Rabbani Rahmani head of the Takhar Ulema council said: "we want the government and courts to execute the court verdict on Kambakhsh as soon as possible."1 Also cleric gathering in Parwans capital Charikar province stressed the need for implementation of the court verdict for the young journalist. Maulavi Muhammad Asif one of the Ulema here said: "anyone disrespecting holy Quran and the prophet of Allah is intolerable and should be condemned to death."2

Now Parvez case became a subject of international discussion and scandal. Afghan journalists , writers, social societies, cultural and political organizations from inside and outside of Afghanistan fighting for freedom of Kambakh

Fortunately, the supporter of freedom and democracy much stronger than fanatics and enemies of progress in Afghanistan. Just in “Kabul Press” an Afghan independent website more than two hindered writers, journalists, and famous organization listed as supporter of freedom.

The Parvez Kambakhsh case is now turning to a worldwide discussion and supporting by international organizations, specially UN and International amnesty.

Spokesperson’s Office United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan responded to this case and he said: “Cases involving religion and freedom of expression occur in many countries and require care and sensitivity in their handling. The pressures for punishment, warnings to journalists, as well as the holding of this case in closed session without Mr. Kamabaksh having legal representation point to possible misuse of the judicial process. This would not serve the cause of justice”3.

Canadian writers and journalists participated to support an afghan journalist more actively than others. According support list, which distributed in Kabul Press site, around 30% are Canadians.

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Jean MacKenzie, country director for the Institute for War and Peace Reporting, which helps train Afghan journalists, said "We feel very strongly that this is a complete fabrication on the part of the authorities up in Mazar, designed to put pressure on Parwez's brother Yaqub, who has done some of the hardest-hitting pieces outlining abuses by some very powerful commanders in Balkh and the other northern provinces,"4

"More than 75 Canadian soldiers have already died in the cause of creating a better life for Afghans, including freedom to speak one's mind, and freedom from tyranny of all kinds."5 Said Canadian Professor

To conclude Parvez ‘s case I think this case is surface of the more deep political issues inside afghan government. Atta mohammad (Pushton) famous warlord was pointed as Governor of province of Balkh , where majority population are Hazara, Uzben and Tajik.

Freedom of women in North of Afghanistan developing. Independent newspaper increasing very fast. Progress on North Afghanistan and incompatibility with South of Afghanistan is the main problem. In this case Mr. Karzai action or idleness is showing his belonging to the “South” than Afghanistan. From my point of view Afghanistan already in a very deep constitutional crisis. Afghanistan need more democracy not clerical Tenerife government system.

1. Kabul Press

2. Kabul Press

3. www.unama-afg.org

4. CBC news.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/01/24/afghan-journalist.html

5. CBC