Madeleine Moon MP

Madeleine Moon MP - Working hard for Bridgend

Afghanistan Diary

Afghanistan Diary

Above: The Afghan National Army being trained

The eyes of the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be on London this week as the international conference discussing the way forward for Afghanistan takes place. I returned yesterday from visits to Pakistan and Afghanistan with the Defence Select Committee where we met political, military and civil society leaders ahead of the conference. Ahead of the conference it is important to put the current situation and progress in Afghanistan into some context, and highlight a few hidden truths about this war scarred country. The political history of Afghanistan during the 20th century is both stormy and complex.

King Zahir Shah ruled Afghanistan for 40 years to 1973 a golden age of democracy for the country. An army coup prepared in Kabul and under the direct supervision of Russian military advisers took place in 1973 promising a fast and revolutionary development of the country, based on democracy and socialism.

In 1977 President Daoud decided to end relationships with the Soviet Union and tried to take Afghanistan closer to the West, and the Middle-East. This prompted the 1978 Soviet invasion in which air attacks killed President Daoud and his family and a Moscow supported government took power. By the end of 1979, the country was in chaos with Afghan Mujahedeen fighters clashing with Soviet military. Operating from bases in remote mountainous regions with support from the West, China and Pakistan, the Mujahedeen were able to fight Soviet troops to a standstill.

Years of war between Soviet Troops and Mujahedeen inflicted enormous damage on Afghanistan's infrastructure. An estimated 5m Afghans fled mostly to Pakistan as refugees where many began to attend Islamic religious schools. It was at these schools that a new political movement was borne - the Taliban (roughly translated as ‘students of religion'). In February 1989 the last of the Soviet troops pulled out of the country.

In April 1992 the Mujahedeen took control of the country but disparate factions within the Mujahedeen alliance were frequently at loggerheads and their arguments gradually came to be settled with the use of greater military force. During this period, an estimated 50,000 people were killed and much of the capital, Kabul, destroyed. With discreet backing from Pakistan, Taliban fighters gradually pushed the old Mujahedeen forces out.

By September 1996, Taliban controlled most of the country, including Kabul. The majority of the population, tired of death, destruction and lawlessness initially viewed the Taliban as a positive change. Sharia Islamic Law governed Taliban decisions and edicts were dispensed by the Mullahs and enforced by the police. Under the Taliban's rigid social code all girls were forbidden to attend school, women were virtually confined to their homes, and women's healthcare was left in shreds. Televisions, videos and music were banned; men were forced to grow beards with severe punishment for failure to follow devout religious practices.

The Taliban's support for and sheltering of Al Qaeda after the 9/11 led to UN Resolution 1386 for the deployment of troops to provide security and reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Taliban's shocking attacks in Kabul on the Monday I arrive in the country took place just as new cabinet members were taking their oath of office following a second round of elections.

During my visit to Kabul, Kandahar, Lashkar Gha and Camp Bastion I saw the work being undertaken by the 42 nation ISAF (international Security and Assistance Forces) of which Britain is the second highest contributor of troops. The majority of our forces are based in Southern Helmand province where much of the worst fighting is taking place. Our bases were impressive, well led, well structured, well resources and well equipped. I will write more about them in a later article.

Now is the time to focus on the London Conference, taking place at the beginning of a critical year for Afghanistan. Since the arrival of the new US military leader General Stanley McChrystal, and the endorsement of his new approach to tacking the insurgency, ISAF and the Afghan and governments are at a cross roads. Failure in Afghanistan will mean failure for Pakistan, increased instability across the region and failure for NATO the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation the cornerstone of western security since the Second World War.

We know that Afghanistan a once democratic country has been ravished and largely destroyed by war. We know it has huge untapped human and natural resources that could make it once again self sustaining and responsive for its own internal and national security. Achieving this will mean development of Afghanistan's civil infrastructure, schools, hospitals and roads, the building of governance capacity and tacking corruption as well as the growth of the countries national security forces.

During our visit we met members of Afghanistan's civil society working to build internal structures and organisations often with the assistance of our own Department for International Development (DfID). The UK's joint military and DfID Provincial Reconstruction Team working in Helmund was recognised, in our meeting with General Rodriguez, the Commander of ISAF's Joint Command, as working especially well with Afghan's in building local capacity and infrastructure.

We saw the training and development of the Afghan National Army and the increasing responsibility they will play in jointly planned and manned operations. The training of the Afghan National Police needs to be improved and their role more clearly defined but this need was recognised by everyone we met.

Tacking corruption and strengthening political structures across the country was high on everyone's agenda. As was the issue of reconciliation and reintegration of those who are currently part of the insurgency. Who and why people are part of the insurgency are critical issues for success for the Afghan government. Some are fighting because of poverty, some for revenge, some for faith and ideology. Many can and would wish to return to a normal life in a stable and secure Afghanistan run by and for the Afghans, whether this can be achieved will be part of the vital issues discussed at the London Conference.