NationStates Jolt Archive


And now, a much, much better way!

Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:26
COMMENTARY: Usually, when we hear of Iran these days, it's all about nuclear, and the war of words between Iran and America seems to notch upward almost daily. Here's a better way for the two countries to find common ground. True, not everyone agrees, but in the real world most "blessings" have a possible downside. I personally think cooperation rather than the war of words is a much better way. You think, what???


Iran, US share Afghan goals (http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0504/p06s02-wosc.html)


But Iran could use leverage in Afghanistan
to create trouble for US, some warn.

By David Montero | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

HERAT, AFGHANISTAN – The smooth blacktop roads and 24-hour electricity of Herat set this Afghan commercial capital apart as a model of stability in a country still struggling to get on its feet. Much of the wealth in this western city, with its tree-lined streets and handsome shops, is credited to the largesse of Iran.

The Shiite republic, one of Afghanistan's greatest trading partners, has a visible hand here, building roads and schools, and keeping shops afloat with electricity and goods. What's more, these projects represent only a fraction of the $204 million Iran has spent in aid, ranking it among the top donors to post-conflict Afghanistan.

Even though the US and Iran are locked in an international struggle over Iran's alleged pursuit of nuclear weapons, the long-time foes have worked together well in Afghanistan, a place where they have common ground. Pushing Iran against the wall through sanctions or war could deal a setback to the recovery here, the first battlefield in the war on terror, some observers say.

"The disagreements we have with the international community do not have a place in Afghanistan," says Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Iran's Ambassador to Afghanistan. "Our understanding for Afghanistan is that it can be a good model for cooperation among the international community."

Iranian influence is certainly nothing new in Afghanistan. The two countries share centuries of history, thousands of miles of porous borders, and a common language. Nearly 2,000 people commute across the border every day.

But as tensions rise between Tehran and Washington, some speculate that Iran could use its leverage in Afghanistan to cause problems for the US.

"They do have the capacity to cause trouble here. If they were to perceive that the government is siding with the West ... or they felt that the US military based in Afghanistan could be damaging to the internal situation in Iran ... we could expect problems here," cautioned one Western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the issue.

Cement is a popular example of Iran's oversized influence. Iran once enjoyed a virtual monopoly on cement in Afghanistan, but it recently stopped exporting here, opting for Iraq instead. Prices nearly doubled according to local sources. For many Afghans, the incident exposed Iran's capability to disrupt reconstruction with the flip of a switch.

"If Iran decides to stop exporting goods, it can create a big problem for us," says Alhaj Qulam Qader Akbar, the head of Herat's Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of projects have been suspended because of the price [of cement] going up."

Such disruptive powers are not limited to the market, some say. Journalists talk of Iran's growing involvement in terrorist attacks here. Rumors also abound that Iran's Revolutionary Guard is secretly camped out in Herat.

Syed Ahmed Ansari, a police chief for Shindad, a town in Herat Province, told the Associated Press in February: "From Iran they are bringing explosive material to Afghanistan. They don't want Afghanistan to be at peace because they are at war with the United States."

So far, though, there is no direct evidence of such meddling, and Iran has never been directly implicated in any attacks. "We don't have evidence of that, but that is something we hear. If we want to comment on something, we should have evidence," says Gen. Ayub Salangi, Herat's chief of police.

Mr. Bahrimi, the Iranian ambassador, insists his country's role in Iran has always been a positive one. But he suggests that action taken against Iran could change that role.

"If new circumstances are imposed on us, in proportion to these circumstances, we'll make up our mind," he says, adding, "If [the Americans] control their behavior in Afghanistan, there isn't any reason for concern."

Even in the US, those closely watching Iran are hard pressed to find evidence of misconduct in Afghanistan. Instead, some have found themselves admitting that Iran, despite its activities elsewhere, has proved to be a good neighbor here.

Such was the case during a March congressional hearing on progress in Afghanistan. A panel of experts working on Afghanistan unanimously highlighted Iran's contribution to stability.

"I do not believe Iran is a major, negative player in Afghanistan," Seth Jones of the Rand Corporation told the panel. "If anything, the Iranian government's role in relationship with the Afghan government is actually fairly decent."

Barnett Rubin, a professor at New York University, went a step further, saying: "[W]e should be wary of anyone who is trying to sell intelligence or reports that Iran is trying to destabilize Afghanistan. It is not."

In fact, such are the contributions of Iran here that forcing it to pull out, either through sanctions or war, could hamper reconstruction, particularly by destabilizing the economy, many speculate.

"The tensions that Iran has with the international community are a deep cause of concern for us. If there are sanctions, or other means of exerting pressure, it will have its implications on Afghanistan. And that's the last thing we need," says Naveed Ahmad Moez, spokesperson for the foreign ministry.

Iran's support of the Karzai government stems in part from its antipathy toward the Taliban regime, which killed nine Iranian diplomats in 1998. Tehran supported the Northern Alliance and the US in ousting them.

Many say it's simply not in Iran's interest to make waves. Cross-border business is booming and the western border is stable. But there are those who say the US would be foolish to completely rule it out.

"The Americans should be concerned about Iranian influence," says Najibullah Fahim, professor of political science at Kabul University. "You know that Iran is hostile to America and will create enmity towards Americans here."

Sen. William Delahunt (D) of Massachusetts, who attended the March congressional hearing, seemed to think likewise. But when he pressed Maureen Quinn from the State Department, her retort was short but to the point.

"Iran participated in the London conference," she said, referring to an international donor meeting held in January. "They have contributed to road construction, electricity."
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 12:33
Good on them.


The US sometimes complains about their lack of support, but as far as I can tell that is only over Iraq. So many countries govts stood behind the US when it came to Afghanistan..
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:35
Good on them.

The US sometimes complains about their lack of support, but as far as I can tell that is only over Iraq. So many countries govts stood behind the US when it came to Afghanistan..
Yes, it's just a shame that we didn't stop there. :(
Harlesburg
04-05-2006, 12:44
Good on them.


The US sometimes complains about their lack of support, but as far as I can tell that is only over Iraq. So many countries govts stood behind the US when it came to Afghanistan..
Even if it was for a BS reason.
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 12:44
Heh maybe Iran just needs to give their army something to do, like when Saddam invaded kuwait..
Warta Endor
04-05-2006, 12:48
This is a great example how world politics should be...
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:48
Heh maybe Iran just needs to give their army something to do, like when Saddam invaded kuwait..
Yeah! Let's get Iran to invade Sudan! "Let's you and him fight!" :D
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:50
This is a great example how world politics should be...
I agree. Cooperation has always been the better way right from the early days of the human race.
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:51
Even if it was for a BS reason.
As if. I wouldn't call supporting the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center a "bullshit reason." :(

BTW ... did you guys ever get that tsunami they were warning about??
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 12:54
As if. I wouldn't call supporting the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center a "bullshit reason." :(

BTW ... did you guys ever get that tsunami they were warning about??


Shit, first I've heard of it but I just checked on stuff and its there: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3657301a10,00.html

Seems it was a bit of a media beat up.



Actually, there was a tsunami warning for Wellington back in the 70s, and with the knowlege of tsumai's being nowhere near what it is now, thousands of people went down to the beach to see it..
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 12:55
Yeah! Let's get Iran to invade Sudan! "Let's you and him fight!" :D

The challenge for the US: Juggling arms sales to each country to keep the war going as long as possible. Is your govt up to it?
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:56
Shit, first I've heard of it but I just checked on stuff and its there: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3657301a10,00.html

Seems it was a bit of a media beat up.

Actually, there was a tsunami warning for Wellington back in the 70s, and with the knowlege of tsumai's being nowhere near what it is now, thousands of people went down to the beach to see it..
Sigh. People! :(
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 12:56
The challenge for the US: Juggling arms sales to each country to keep the war going as long as possible. Is your govt up to it?
Yeah. We'll even send advisors to both sides. Heh!
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 12:59
Sigh. People! :(


It seems that it was on BBC and Sky news Australia before it got near the news here. People in Mt Maunganui got woken at 5am by reletives in the UK texting them to see if they were OK, and it was the first they'd heard of it.. That about sums up New Zealand's media and civil defence..
Harlesburg
04-05-2006, 13:00
As if. I wouldn't call supporting the terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center a "bullshit reason." :(

BTW ... did you guys ever get that tsunami they were warning about??
The terrorists they didn't have???
Sure the Teletubbies are crap and have shit head gear but whos to say they were harbouring Al Queerdo? Usian Intelligence??? i think not.

For all we know Bush needed a scapegoat to divert attention from Who the fuck do we kill before catch the bad bad guys.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pfft i got wet when i got in the shower as for a tsunami nah
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 13:04
It seems that it was on BBC and Sky news Australia before it got near the news here. People in Mt Maunganui got woken at 5am by reletives in the UK texting them to see if they were OK, and it was the first they'd heard of it.. That about sums up New Zealand's media and civil defence..
Ouch! Heads will roll! Heh!
BackwoodsSquatches
04-05-2006, 13:05
Heh maybe Iran just needs to give their army something to do, like when Saddam invaded kuwait..


Yah, how did that ever work out for him anyway?
Eutrusca
04-05-2006, 13:06
The terrorists they didn't have???
Sure the Teletubbies are crap and have shit head gear but whos to say they were harbouring Al Queerdo? Usian Intelligence??? i think not.

For all we know Bush needed a scapegoat to divert attention from Who the fuck do we kill before catch the bad bad guys.
Goodbye.
Harlesburg
04-05-2006, 13:25
Goodbye.
Hello?:(
Monkeypimp
04-05-2006, 13:27
Yah, how did that ever work out for him anyway?


Well his army never rose up to overthrow him, so the plan worked for a little while. Now he's on the beach in florida whilst one of his doubles gets paraded around Iraq for the media.