Madrid ABC: Afghan Police Source: Herat Crime Gangs May ‘Soon’ Turn Against ISAF Troops

[Report by M. Ayestaran and P. Cervilla: "Armed Gangs and Radical Clerics, New Threats for Spain"]

Herat / Madrid — Abduction is the latest buzz word in Herat. The local populace is being terrorized by an unprecedented crime wave: Scores are being settled, armed robbery is the order of the day… Such things are not standard practice for the Taliban, and local police suggest that they are the work of local gangs, who have taken to the streets to enforce their own law after realizing that the international forces are powerless. “All of this is happening, for the time being at least, alongside the Italian forces (which are deployed in the city’s downtown area — ABC editor’s note) and the Spanish forces, but we believe that it may soon turn against them,” an Afghan crime police officer said.

The most important gang has its headquarters in the district of Seyawshan, on the road to the airport some 20 kilometers from the city’s historic center, and where most of the Spanish forces are stationed. Its leader is one Gholam Yahya, who has been waging an open struggle against the government in Kabul since he was thrown out of high office in Herat’s municipal government a year ago. A former Mojahedin commander and right-hand-man to local warlord Ismail Khan, he now heads up the rebellion of those who are disenchanted with President Karzai and with the peace forces. His stance and his methods are beginning to attract recruits among the local populace, who can see how the situation in the country is becoming increasingly unstable as time goes by.

The presence of radical clerics has also helped to boost the local people’s mood of hostility toward the foreigners. Friday prayers in the sanctuary at Gazarqah, right in the middle of town, have turned into a full fledged rally, with people shouting and hollering against the central government and against the international forces.

Opium Traffic

The clerics’ sermons address a variety of issues ranging from the frivolity that has gained a foothold in the media since Karzai came to power, to the international forces’ alleged involvement in opium trafficking. But the message that is starting to get across increasingly strongly is a message of jihad, a message of holy war against “the new occupiers,” by which the preachers mean the international troops.

“That was not usual in downtown Herat, and no one is doing anything to prevent it. If the situation goes on deteriorating like this, we are going to get the point where people will be going down to Shewan (the location of the last attack on Spanish forces — ABC editor’s note) to plead with the Taliban to return in order to restore law and order,” a businessman who runs a hotel for foreigners in the city complained.

Meanwhile, the situation is starting to get more complicated for Spain. In addition to terrorist attacks, some of its units are now having to deal with technical problems. According to Afghan national television, a Spanish “Superpuma” helicopter reportedly failed last Tuesday [25 September] as it was preparing to evacuate four Afghan Army troopers injured when a car bomb exploded in Gormach. The Spaniards, who were asked for the helicopter that is part of the PRT [provincial reconstruction team] in Qala i Naw, cited “technical problems” preventing them from moving. While some sources hinted that it may have been an attack and that the aircraft did not have any technical problem affecting its rotor blade, the Defense Ministry has dismissed that version of events.

[Description of Source: Madrid ABC (Internet Version-WWW) in Spanish -- center-right national daily. OSC EUP20070927178002 Madrid ABC (Internet Version-WWW) in Spanish 27 Sep 07]

Herat newspaper Etefaq-e Islam: “How will the ECO summit be held in Herat?”

Afghan paper on importance of ECO summit for Herat Province

Text of editorial, entitled: “How will the ECO summit be held in Herat?” by state-owned Afghan newspaper Etefaq-e Eslam on 30 September

We have all heard from the media recently that the annual ECO summit is due to be held in Herat. This is the first ever summit by ECO in Afghanistan with promising, good news. The Economic Cooperation Organization or ECO holds its annual session in one of the member countries after an agreement among the members. This organization, which is the most important organization in Asia, is comprised of 11 countries, including Afghanistan. ECO, however, has elected Herat for its annual summit due to be held at the end of this month [Mizan, October 2007].

In addition to Afghanistan, the foreign ministers of 10 member countries will take part in this session. Our Foreign Ministry is the formal host of this summit and the Herat provincial government, the government departments and the Herati citizens will play a key role in hosting this important meeting. Not only will the good reception improve our national reputation, but will also prove the cooperation of Afghanistan with an organization that may play a vital role for the country’s economy in the future.

As the country’s cultural centre and as an ancient city with commercial activities, Herat is the city where this summit will be held. In the meantime, Herati citizens have a crucial role in this reception. As the first step, ECO is to build a park in the Zalmay Kot area and it is also said that ECO will build its permanent representative office in Herat if the summit is held appropriately. This is a good opportunity for the traders and investors in Herat. If the summit is held effectively, Herat, this cultural and business centre in particular and our country in general, will attract the attention of political and economic leaders of the region and gain its position in the political, economic and cultural relations in the region.

When such an important meeting is held and foreign ministers of 11 countries enter this city, Herat will become the focus of attention of the international media, which will broadcast live programmes for their viewers about the ECO summit, Herati citizens and Herat, one of the country’s main cities and the host of the important regional summit. Naturally when this high-ranking delegation enters the province, it will be accompanied by senior political figures, journalists and many foreign and national guests. During this visit, it is not only the government officials’ duty to clean the city and prepare it for the reception. Adorning, cleaning and preparing the city for a large number of guests, who will stay here for three days and will become familiar with Herat and the high culture of its residents, are the responsibility of our esteemed citizens and compatriots. Their cooperation with the government officials will have a positive effect and the guests will leave the city with good memories. Any shortcomings in the process may defame this ancient city and our homeland. But we are sure that the honourable citizens of Herat will hold the summit as effectively as possible.

[Description of Source: Herat Etefaq-e Islam (Islamic Unison in Dari -- Four-page government-funded daily published in Herat. OSC IAP20070930950099 Herat Etefaq-e Islam (Islamic Unison in Dari 0000 GMT 30 Sep 07]