October 19, 2007

HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) — In the ancient Afghan city of Herat, the fight is on between restoring historical monuments, palaces and houses or demolishing them to make way for bleak structures of smoked glass and concrete.

The battle in this once-essential stop along the Silk Road seems to be going the way of demolition — even if much of it is illegal.

Reconstruction needs a lot of time and work, as well as money and craftsmen skilled in ancient techniques necessary for recreating the vision of ancient architectural plans.

Herat is one of the few cities in Central Asia to have kept its medieval structure despite the march of time and the ravages of war.

In the 1980s the city near the Iranian border was home to around 200,000 inhabitants; today about three million people live here and the buildings stretch for miles.

Those who have swapped their traditional mudbrick homes for the new concrete blocks say they left to escape “the absence of comfort: running water, hot water, electricity and sanitation,” says Bismillah Fateh from the Agha Khan Trust for Culture.

The trust is working to restore a number of sites and lodgings in the western city which is more than 2,000 years old.

“It is a fight every day,” says Daud Sidiq, an architect with the foundation who has restored the Malik Cisterne and Mosque at the foot of the imposing Ikhtyaruddin citadel, the present structure of which was built in the 15th century.

Work is also underway on the palace of Attarbashi, the home of a wealthy physician that was constructed at the turn of the century and which is being restored with the agreement of the owner.

Winter and summer apartments face into a rectangular courtyard. Workers have put a large waterproof plastic sheet into the roof, a contemporary addition to a traditional technique.

Columns of stucco, reinforced with steel and asphalt, are whitewashed with a material made of limestone, ashes and flax, says Sidiq. For added protection from aging, nothing is better than mixing in “egg white, cooking oil and flour,” he says.

“We have been working for three months to bring back the old house,” says the architect, who is passionate about this undertaking.

Down narrow lanes, the historic homes of Kebabi and Akhawan have been entirely renovated and returned to their owners or their descendants.

To enter through their huge wooden gates, one has to choose between two large knockers — one for men and one for women: their different tones alert those inside to whether a man or a woman should answer.

In this maze, traditional structures are being given new life.

There is new paving in the old Jewish quarters, deserted in the 1970s. Two synagogues have been reconverted into a mosque and a school; one remains in ruins and another, its inside painted shiny blue, is being repaired.

The hamman, or bath, is again functioning for a male clientele.

“It is not a very expensive programme,” says Agha Khan urban planner Anna Soave, and there is support from a number of European nongovernment organisations.

The Commission for the Development of the Old City of Herat was created in 2005 but is handicapped by poor coordination between its members who include government and local groups.

The result: an acceleration of the demolition of the old and construction of illegal villas.

“All the illegal construction must be destroyed,” provincial governor Hossein Anwari said.

October 16, 2007

[Presenter] On the sidelines of the forthcoming ECO session, a meeting was held in Herat city yesterday evening. At this meeting, a number of officials delivered speeches to underline the importance of the session. It is said that the members of the Economic Cooperation Organization or ECO are arriving in the province.

[Correspondent] Afghan Foreign Minister Dr Rangin Dadfar-Spanta was one of the officials that delivered a speech at this meeting. He described Afghanistan’s membership of ECO as important and strategic. According to the minister, the ECO session in Herat city is a point connecting the city to its glorious ancient history.

[Dr Dadfar-Spanta] Our membership of ECO has a strategic importance for us. As one of the major centres of the eastern, Islamic civilization, Herat has been on the route connecting China and India to Old Persia and Central Asia. We have been trying to show that Herat, as a historical symbol, is still able to connect these regions.

[Correspondent] Meanwhile, tough security measures have been taken since yesterday. Herat Governor Sayed Hosayn Anwari states that strict security measures will be taken during these days as there are concerns over security disruption by the opponents.

[Sayed Hosayn Anwari] It goes without saying that the opponents are attempting to spread terror and fear in order to show the government and the provincial administration are incompetent. They will benefit from any opportunity to meet their own ends. However, we hope the new measures we have taken will foil plots hatched by any opponent groups.

[Correspondent] The officials hope the ECO session will be held appropriately in spite of all these concerns. The economic observers in Herat Province believe that the session will enhance economic activities in this province.

[Description of Source: Herat Radio Sahar in Dari -- local independent radio station in Herat run mainly by women. OSC IAP20071016950103 Herat Radio Sahar in Dari 1230 GMT 16 Oct 07]

Programme summary of Afghan Herat TV news in Dari 1630 gmt 12 Oct 07

Home News:

1. 0030 The governor of Herat Province, Sayed Hosayn Anwari, attends Id prayers at Herat Grand Mosque today. Addressing the worshipers, the governor called on further cooperation of the people with the security officials. Video shows the governor addressing a number of worshipers.

2. 0230 Herat Province governor congratulates the minister of water and energy, Mohammad Esmail, on Id days. Video shows the governor talking to the minister and some other officials.

3. 0340 The governor of Herat Province visits the patients in Herat Hospital and provides them with some cash amounts. Video shows the governor talking to some patients in the hospital.

4. 0420 A armed man has been arrested an two others were injured after a brief clash with police in Herat city today. The security commander has said that the armed men were planning to attack some government officials. Video shows the security officials talking to a TV reporter.

5. 0530 A group of insurgents attacked a security check post in Shindand District of Herat Province last night. No casualties reported. Video shows some security officials talking to a TV reporter.

6. 0810 Report on Id ceremonies at Zafar Military Corps No 207. Video shows the soldiers praying, congratulating Id to each other.

[Description of Source: Herat Herat Television in Dari -- state-run television. OSC IAP20071012950087 1630 GMT 12 Oct 07
]

October 12, 2007

HERAT, Afghanistan (AFP) — Afghan police Friday shot dead a would-be assailant and captured two others as they planned to attack a government reception marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, officials said.

The gunmen were intercepted in an exchange of fire a few minutes away from the governor’s office in the western city of Herat, near the border with Iran, police chief Juma Khan Adil said.

“These terrorists were planning an attack on government officials including the governor. We had information about it,” Adil told AFP.

“They opened fire on our forces when they started chasing them. We returned fire and killed one of them and injured and captured two others,” he added.

An AFP reporter saw the blood-covered body of a man in a four-by-four vehicle at the side of the road in central Herat, a short distance from where officials were celebrating Eid at the governor’s office.

Adil was unable to say if the gunmen were members of the extremist Taliban militia, which is waging an insurgency against the US-backed government in Kabul.

An investigation has been launched, he said.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

3 October 2007

The western province of Herat is mainly attractive for its security, employment and other opportunities. However, the province has witnessed a deteriorating situation recently as the level of crime, abduction and robbery has increased.

Herat is an important economic hub and an important place to attract Afghan and foreign investment. But these factors can put Herat to the list of insecure and unsafe provinces.

Herat borders the provinces of Farah, Ghowr and Badghis and where similar crimes used to take place in Farah a few months ago. The [deteriorating] situation has surprised the people of the province who believe the crimes have been exported to Herat from neighbouring province of Farah.

Speaking about the recent insecurity in Herat Province, Mohammad Rafiq Shahir, head of Herat council of experts, says: The south-western zone, especially Herat, is immune from the insecurity of the south, but some exceptional incidents every now and then take place here because Herat borders the Farah Province. These incidents cannot be considered a serious security threat to Herat.

Insecurity on the rise

Shahir confirms the presence of crimes in Herat, adding that crimes could be worrying. He believes crimes have been imported from the neighbouring provinces of Herat. He said: Such crimes i.e. abduction, levying and murder were happening in Farah Province in the past but have now come under control in that province.

According to Rafiq Shahir, the presence of such crimes in important provinces like Herat could be worrying. A number of people previously working with the government are involved in insecurity incidents in Herat Province. These people have now turned against the government and create problems. This has created doubt among the people of the city.

Rafiq Shahir confirms the report, saying that some people, who have kept their weapons from the past, and those who did not, and do not, enjoy a good reputation in the society, are involved in the insecurity.

On the other hand, according to analysts, provincial authorities have identified those trying to disrupt the security situation in Herat province, but there is no one to take serious measures in this regard, because officials reportedly have their interests involved in all this too.

Opportunist elements

Meanwhile, sometime ago, Sayed Hosayn Anwari, the governor of Herat Province, spoke about the presence of a list of opportunist elements and those trying to disrupt the security situation, but, due to specific observations, did not disclose their names.

Some analysts, including the head of Herat council of experts, says the governor of Herat, in the first hand, should not have spoken about the presence of such a list and when he spoke about it, he should have disclosed the names.

On the other hand, Mr Shahir claims that all incidents that have so far happened [in Herat] somehow have had, and still have, roots within security organizations in the province.

According to Shahir, some people, who have been trusted and considered to protect the public interests, have themselves prepared the ground for insecurity.

There are contradictory remarks about causes of insecurity in a province like Herat which once regarded a symbol of peace. Everyone blames the other side for the insecurity. Everyone tries to take the burden of responsibility off their own shoulders. This would not be desirable for the people.

Not enough police, resources

The governor of Herat has reportedly told a meeting that the lack of a strong police force and necessary resources are the causes of insecurity in the province.

Anwari has added that insecurity has increased in the province and that the police force is also not able to address the problem because the police are in small in number in Herat.

One should ask why is the police structure weak in a province like Herat, and why is this issue raised after rise in insecurity?

This reminds us of the proverb (Prevention is better than cure). The officials make such comments to please the people.

Analysts like Mr Rafiq Shahir say personal relations and the fact that the governor of Herat is under pressure has made it possible for some people to work in government departments [in the province].

Shahir says: As Herat is a good city, Mr Anwari wants to remain as the person in charge here. But there are some people that continue to work in government positions [in the province] as a result of pressure on Anwari from senior government authorities. This forces the governor to take steps with compromise.

According to the head of Herat council of experts, Mr Anwari is moving towards a crisis in the current situation and this might destroy him.

But the governor of Herat, in some cases, has shown serious reaction towards security officials of the province and the police

He has described the police as unsuccessful in ensuring security and also questioned the head of national security and head of criminal investigations department of that province. He has also claimed that unprofessional and unaware people have been recruited into the police.

Sometime after Mr Anwari’s comments, the security commander, head of criminal investigations and the head of intelligence departments of Herat were sacked and were replaced by new officials.

The change of security officials in Herat can be based on different reasons. It is either because the dismissed officials did not have the competence to enforce the law and to work properly or they had lost their positions under the new police reforms.

We can also look at situation in Herat from the economic point of view. As security is an important requirement for trade and investment in the commercial province of Herat, insecurity can prevent traders from investing. If this – lack of investment – happens, it will create unemployment and the unemployment can be a factor for the increasing insecurity.

Herat economy under threat

Khoshal Rasi, head of Herat customs office, claims that insecurity in Herat and on Kabul-Herat highway has remarkably decreased investment.

According to Rasi, a trader makes an investment when he is sure of the productivity and efficiency of his investment, and if there is no security, no trader will agree to invest.

Mohammad Rafiq Shahir also claims that one of the causes of insecurity is the prevention of investment and trade. If there is no investment, people will lose their jobs and resort to different crimes, like abduction, levying, and other crimes. According to Shahir, this has highly concerned the authorities in Herat.

In regard with the abduction of investors and traders, the head of Herat industrial park was recently kidnapped by unknown armed men. One of Herat money exchangers was killed on daylight a few weeks ago.

Herat Province needs internal and external security more than anything else. The provincial authorities should make further and more serious efforts to bring back security that this part of the country once enjoyed.

In addition to safety and security, they should prepare the ground for investment of Afghan and foreign traders.

Insecurity undermines ECO summit in Herat

It should meanwhile it should be mentioned that insecurity in Herat can overshadow the meeting of foreign ministers of ECO [Economic Cooperation Organization] member countries, which will be held at the end of the current month [16-20 October] in Herat city. This will also have a negative impact on the reputation of Herat.

Good security in Herat was one of the reasons why the ECO meeting was planned to be held in the province. This has now been overshadowed by insecurity. We hope Herat gets back its security before the meeting is held.

[Description of Source: Kabul Rah-e Nejat in Dari --An eight-page independent daily in hardcopy and internet versions. The Kabul-based paper was launched after the fall of the Taliban by MP Alemi Balkhi. Often publishes editorials and articles on corruption, foreign relations, politics, security, drugs, religion and reconstruction. Generally supportive of the government and the presence of NATO forces in Afghanistan, but can be critical of government policies. Languages: Dari (mainly), Pashto. Circulation: unknown. URL: www.rahenenatdaily.com OSC IAP20071006950072 Kabul Rah-e Nejat in Dari 0000 GMT 03 Oct 07]

KABUL, Oct 7, 2007 (AFP) – Afghan authorities said Sunday they had seized four tonnes of liquid heroin, one of their biggest hauls yet, as well as one tonne of hashish packed to look like a brand of instant yeast.

The finds were made separately near the border with Iran — one of the main smuggling routes for drugs from Afghanistan, which produces 93 percent of the world’s opium used to make heroin.

The heroin was discovered in the southwestern province of Farah when a drugs laboratory was raided on Saturday, Deputy Interior Minister General Daud Daud told reporters in Kabul. Four men were arrested.

“They used to export the drugs in liquid form as animal medicine to Iran,” Daud said, adding the find was one of the government’s biggest.

“In total 4,030 kilogrammes (8,866 pounds) of heroin was seized and the lab has been destroyed.” A tonne of chemicals used to make the heroin was also discovered, he said.

In the western province of Herat, officials showed journalists a shipping container holding hundreds of 500 gramme packets of a brand of instant yeast called Hollandia.

Inside the wrapping, which included the colours of the Dutch flag, was a second covering around dark hashish that read “Black Gold” and “Pak delight.”

The drugs were found at a customs office at the main border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran, Herat province governor Sayed Hussain Anwari said.

Afghanistan’s opium production this year jumped by around a third to 8,200 tonnes annually, according to the United Nations.

Most of the opium is converted to heroin within the country, it said in its annual drugs survey released in August. The main markets for Afghanistan’s opium include Europe and Central Asia.

The cultivation of cannabis, used to make hashish, increased from 50,000 hectares (123,500 acres) in 2006 to 70,000 hectares this year, the survey said.

[Description of Source: Hong Kong AFP in English -- Hong Kong service of the independent French press agency Agence France-Presse. OSC JPP20071007969026 Hong Kong AFP in English 1337 GMT 07 Oct 07]

Sept. 27, 2007

[Presenter] A meeting of the ECO [Economic Cooperation Organization] will be held in Herat in less than 20 days. The commission, which was set up to make the necessary preparations for the meeting, is making all efforts to ensure proper running of the meeting. Please listen to a report by my colleague Mohammad from Herat.

[Passage omitted: repetition]

[Correspondent] The Islamic Council of Herat [ICH], which consists of scholars, religious figures, independent civic foundations and non-government bodies, has issued a joint statement, urging the people to extend all types of cooperation with the government for the successful handling of the meeting. Mohammad Rafiq Shahir, head of Herat Professional Council and member of the ICH said the following.

[Rafiq Shahir] The ICH has suspended all types of unnecessary gatherings till the end of the ECO meeting. People have also expressed readiness to cooperate.

[Passage omitted: correspondent on the possible outcome of the ECO summit]

[Correspondent] The governor of Herat Province Sayed Hosayn Anwari says that the security situation has worsened in the run-up to the ECO meeting. He says:

[Herat governor] Soon after the announcement of the date for the ECO meeting by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the security situation started to exacerbate in Herat. The treacherous activities have been launched mainly to show that the situation in the province is volatile.

[Passage omitted: correspondent says people are concerned over security situation]

[Description of Source: Mashhad Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran External Service in Dari -- Iranian government-run radio. OSC IAP20070927950087 1330 GMT 27 Sep 07]

Text of report by provincial state-owned Afghan Herat TV on 24 September 2007

Traders and businessmen have voiced concern over the security situation in their meeting with the provincial governor in Herat Province.

More than 30 national traders and the general manager of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry met Herat Governor Sayed Hosayn Anwari today, emphasizing they are making concerted efforts to improve the country’s economy. However, they expressed concern over the abduction of the head of the Sudays-Sohud Company.

Voicing support for government projects, the traders called for tight security measures and tackling any subversive activities that hamper development programmes in Herat Province.

The provincial governor also expressed concern over the recent abductions, stating that the provincial government was fully determined to improve security.

According to Gholam Qader Akbar, the general manager of the [Herat] Chambers of Commerce, Mohammad Asef Hamidzada, head of the Sudays-Sohud Company, was kidnapped by unidentified men from his house on the Arzaq Road at 0600 [local time, 0130 gmt] yesterday.

[Description of Source: Herat Herat Television in Dari -- state-run television. OSC IAP20070925950030 Herat Herat Television in Dari 1630 GMT 24 Sep 07]

Afghan paper comments on security situation in Herat province

Text of editorial, entitled: “First reaction” published by independent daily Pagah on 19 September

Central government officials have resorted to the last option – the reshuffle of officials – after the people and political parties strongly criticized the deteriorating security situation [in Herat Province].

In their first step, therefore, they reshuffled the Herat security commander and the head of the crime branch. The decision was made after the instances of abduction, assassination and other criminal acts worryingly increased in this province. The Herat provincial administration believes there have been systematic efforts behind the security incidents and that the Taleban had no hand in creating this situation. Addressing a ceremony held to introduce the new caretaker of the Herat Security Command yesterday, the Herat governor said a number of politicians with [psychological] complexes were behind the predicament. However, he did not specifically name any individual or group. At the same time, a number of active parties, including the Herat Islamic Council, say officials’ incompetence has been the major cause of insecurity and the problem will be tackled if these officials are removed.

Anyway, central government officials finally decided to react and their first step has been to dismiss the security commander and the head of the crime branch. There are also rumours about the removal of the Herat governor, but this has not been confirmed and no government official has so far commented on the issue.

Interestingly, the new caretaker of the Herat Security Command comes from Herat Province. The central government may think the new caretaker can win the people’s support as he not only comes from Herat and he will also be able to have a better control over the situation.

The governor has claimed that the political opposition have caused this security disruption. In that case, the situation will not improve if the factors causing disruption also oppose the newly appointed officials.

However, if the Herat Islamic Council is telling the truth, the new appointments should be able to devise a new mechanism for tackling insecurity.

The other possibility is that the security situation should change for the better with the new appointments if the security incidents have been organized by the opponents of the Herat provincial government [and now have no pretext to continue their subversive acts].

However, whether disruption of security has been due to some plots and political games or because of the incompetence of government officials, it is the people who are the main victims. It is the people who have always lost their safety and tranquillity and who pass their nights with fear and spend their days with concern.

The government must identify and punish the main perpetrators and masterminds of insecurity. The people do hope for an improvement [in the security situation].

[Description of Source: Herat Pagah in Dari --Sometimes critical of the government and foreign forces. OSC IAP20070919950083 Herat Pagah in Dari 0000 GMT 19 Sep 07]

(Transcript of report by provincial state-owned Afghan Herat TV on September 16, 2007.)

[Presenter] Herat Province Governor Sayed Hosayn Anwari led a delegation of officials, including zonal security commanders, officials from the national security department, the rural development department and the commander of Italian PRT [Provincial Reconstruction Team] to Farsi District of the province today.

[Correspondent] The Herat Province governor and the accompanying delegation evaluated security problems in Farsi District which has just seen heavy fighting.

During the visit, district residents pointed out their problems and asked officials in charge of the province to look for a solution to their problems. Mr Anwari promised to increase the number of police soldiers in the district to ensure better security. He also promised to include different villages of the district in the National Solidarity Programme. During his speech, the governor of Herat Province spoke about his determination to defeat the enemy. He asked the people to be strong so that they can have a stable and secure country.

[Governor in Dari] A number of people who, unaware of the reality, used to support them [anti-government elements] have now joined the government. They handed over their weapons and accepted the decision of people of Afghanistan. Keep in mind that the devil will be defeated and will always end up in failure. Your district is a small example proving what I said. You witnessed their failure and defeat but do not forget that there is a precondition for such victories. The precondition is to have strong determination. We have to be strong and we have to take consistent decisions. We have to realize that we are true and they are false.

[Correspondent] The Herat Province governor said the government belonged to people and praised the people for resisting the enemy.

[Governor in Dari] The government of Afghanistan is the legal government for the nation. More than 55 per cent of people of Afghanistan have voted for this government. We have religious duties and our scholars are aware of these duties. It is our duty to find out how to support the government; how to defend the government of President Hamed Karzai for whom you have voted. May God bless you for defending your district so well.

[Correspondent] The Herat Province governor also promised to praise the security commander and the head of Farsi District soon. He also paid a visit to the families of martyrs who were killed during the fighting and donated some cash.

The Herat Province governor and the accompanying delegation travelled to the district a week after the district was attacked by a large group of anti-government militants . The assault is known as one of the heaviest of its kind in the district to be defeated by the people and security forces. About 18 anti-government insurgents and six police forces were killed or injured in the attack.

[Description of Source: Herat Herat Television in Dari -- state-run television. OSC IAP20070917950010 Herat Herat Television in Dari 1630 GMT 16 Sep 07]