Are We Winning the Peace

Are We Winning the Peace? This was the title of a panel discussion I attended which was sponsored by the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies and the Institute of World Affairs. I do not know why I continue to attend these things except to say that they re-enforce my total opposition to any foreign military adventurism.

This panel had a NATO mouthpiece, a recently retired Cdn Colonel, an Afghani finance advisor, a surprise "high ranking" Afghan government official, and a Liberian Deputy Foreign Minister. Oh, and a moderator from the American Institute of World Affairs. It was a traveling dog & pony show, I suspect.

Terrible, terrible, terrible, terrible. If the University of Calgary's Centre for Military and Strategic Studies cannot sponsor better events then I think it is well nigh time to shut down that department for fear of academic embarrassment. The food spread was delicious, though.

The moderator was bored with his role, and insulting to the audience. A Washington hack, no doubt.

NATO mouthpiece was a 20-year BBC correspondent now in the employ of NATO for spreading the word.

Miltary Colonel was typical military guy -- not one for ideas or thinking but absolutely firm in action.

Afghani guy was ... almost tokenism, yet obviously a member of some secret cabal. He stated, straight faced, that 50% of all money invested in Afghanistan simply disappeared due to poor accounting practice rather than corruption.

Unidentified surprise government official guy stepped up to the podium and first thing he said was, "no pictures!" He had a bodyguard. This guy was not interested in peace, except on his terms and in his way. He should have been making dialogue and reconcilliation noises ... he didn't.

The only intelligent, honest, earnst person there was Mr. Conmany Wesseh, Liberian Deputy Foreign Minister. He was on a cross-Canada tour begging money for his nation of 3.5 million which has recently emerged from 15 years of very bloody civil war.

If I were to ask a question it would have been to Mr. Wesseh:
How do you feel traveling with people spending hundreds of billions of dollars to no good end in Afghanistan when an equivalent amount spent in Liberia would bring your country a long way toward re-enforced peace, progress, and development?
Of course, he wouldn't be able to honestly answer as Liberia is sort of a pet dog for Americans in Africa -- and its place on the world stage has already been permanently defined by the US. You may recall that the President of Liberia was recently snubbed (over-looked, forgotten) in her visit here by the Conservative government.

Overall was the absolute impression that Afghanistan must walk, talk, and bark in a fashion determined by the occupying powers. The language, "criminals," for example, was reminiscent of old Soviet rhetoric. Nowhere was there even a hint or the inclination to respect or recognize the Afghani people. It was as if Afghanistan was a military boot camp. The panelists had no vision past their own roles (save Mr. Conmany Wesseh). An obvious, corrupt, cold exercise of power. In my notes I jotted how I suddenly understood why the military invariably feel the need for coups -- they are always right, and can do no wrong.

Liberia, by contrast, is a nation seemingly in charge of its own destiny; running its own affairs; populated by its own citizens. A truly successful blue-helmeted United Nations operation.

Our presence in Afghanistan is pure poison. There will never be peace in Afghanistan as long as white folks are running the place.

Oddly, it was stated over and over again that if NATO was to leave Afghanistan then "we" would certainly lose the war. Proof positive in my mind that "we" shouldn't be there. Let "them" win the war, stabilize the country, and then we can talk, lead by example, and help as required ... rather like what Liberia did and wants.