|
Presidential candidates’ foreign policy advisors discuss stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan
January 25, 2008
By Christina Caspersen
The Afghanistan Advocacy Group (AAG) hosted a “Morning Newsmaker” press conference at the National Press Club on January 25, during which foreign policy advisors for three Presidential candidates discussed key issues concerning Afghanistan and Pakistan.
AAG representative Mariam Nawabi opened the discussion by highlighting the group’s main areas of concern for the next administration. With narcotic sales increasing, the recent assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, and an increased number of suicide attacks, the issues in Afghanistan and Pakistan are regional problems that need to be addressed immediately, she said.
Nawabi said that Afghanistan needs to receive the resources promised by the Bush administration as part of a Marshall Plan type of initiative for the country. Funding was not appropriately allotted, she said, adding that the gap between military and economic spending should be closed as economic spending is essential to stability and longevity.
After Nawabi spoke, each policy advisor was given ten minutes to speak.
Colonel Robert McFarland explained the position of Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.). The U.S. owes an enormous debt to the Afghan people because it left the Afghan infrastructure in ruins after the Soviet invasion, he said. The U.S. must restore security and economic stability in Afghanistan, he said.
McFarland also discussed the opium problem. “A viable strategy for economic development can be through crop substitution,” he said, highlighting a successful private project that gave Afghan farmers 200 tons of seeds for harvest. The project proves that when given an alternative, and subsidies, farmers are willing to stop planting poppy, he said. McFarland added that processing should be introduced in Afghanistan so that crops do not have to be exported to Pakistan. This will create more jobs at home and stimulate the economy, he said.
Former Sen. Tim Hutchinson (R-Ark.), speaking for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, followed McFarland. “Withdrawing from Afghanistan the first time was a mistake,” Hutchinson said. He criticized former President Bill Clinton for lessening pressure when he created the peace dividend. However, he argued that today’s Afghanistan can be a success story, so long as there is an infusion of democracy, stability, free press, and improved intelligence. He also said that the U.S. needs to “nurture the forces of moderation” and implement an early warning system for the country.
On Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Hutchinson said: “He has weakened the moderates and strengthened the extremists.” The U.S. needs to hold him to his promise of a fair election in February, he added.
Denis McDonough, the advisor for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), said that given the dramatic proliferation in IED attacks and suicide bombings, Afghan security remains an urgent issue. “We don’t have the luxury of focusing on one threat at a time,” McDonough said. “Iraq is pulling our focus and we need to stop this from happening.”
If elected, Obama would place greater pressure on NATO’s role in securing Afghanistan, McDonough said, adding that the Senator would emphasize training for the Afghan military and police forces. He also said Obama would dramatically increase investment in infrastructure development – McDonough called for a $1 billion increase – and increase U.S. agencies’ cooperation with the Afghan people and specialists. By creating economic opportunities, the U.S. can both directly assist the Afghan people and help stabilize the Afghan government, he said.
During the Q&A period, two direct questions were asked about the need for women’s empowerment in Afghanistan and the lack of human rights in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Only McDonough responded, saying: “We need to empower women who are primary providers for their family.” He called for constitutional and “real life” support. McFarland and Hutchinson declined to respond, saying there was not enough time, though several additional questions followed.
|
