Title: American Peace Activists on the Streets of Kabul #41-09 October 14, 2009

" Who rule this week on making contacts right now that won't -- negative point about they use military is that. Deanna killing civilians there have been I think everything there had been as an education to have an international --"

" He came to the realization. That my own patriotism have been exploited I don't need to turn the --"

" Marine corporal Rick -- spot in Afghanistan. And now strongly opposes the war. He and other anti war activists travelled to Afghanistan. To meet with government officials women's rights activists and ordinary Afghans. They learned that despite his supposed to change in policy the US military continues to bomb civilians. Independent producer Reese -- accompanied the group as they met critics of both the US government and the Karzai administration. I'm -- radio and this is making contact a program connecting people. -- ideas and important information."

" He. Here on the outskirts of Kabul Afghanistan's capital city a small group of if you were Americans can get out of minivan. They step hesitant thing into a refugee camp composed of people fleeing the fighting in southern provinces. The American jeans and T shirts contrasts sharply with the Afghan baggy pants and long shirts. And they can't there's nothing official it's just a collection of dirt paths and mud brick houses. Journalist and translator Najibullah so that it talks with some of the refugees."

" This is a country for displaced people from Hannah Montana. Because they came from I don't know because of the moment in the morning holy month. I -- people -- here you know emotional 100 I mean you. Home from him on. -- did not and they cannot come out of government. Is that his -- For the people his belief is that the group meets I was calm when one of the camps had been. It actually is these rednecks -- don't -- electrical. We are able. --"

" Two teenage girls operating hand pump that is not only source of water for much of the camp. The life here reminds of -- Reyes and Afghan war veteran. What he saw on Afghanistan as a combat marine in 2001. And now he's back as a civilian opposed to war. I asked if it also reminds him of rural Mexico where his family grew. More clear I mean he had a lot of that we. And improve roads. -- There's a lot for the next -- The group walks to the tenth of towers can't."

" Yeah. -- yeah."

" They considered dead on them technically you're right. 55 year old -- a farmer from Helmand Province says one -- coalition forces bombed his home in southern Afghanistan. Killing or injuring almost his entire family. Five died and seven wounded. His seven year old daughter had to have her left arm amputated. Comcast daughter explain what happened. An Afghan American woman helps translate. And you can do even though. They can buy the package of additional was good. He said that the bombing started 5 AM in the morning about people were sleeping some people are getting prepared and it lasted four hours religion class suburb of when the US promises to compensate any civilian victims of US bombing raids. But in order for family members to get compensation they must provided documents from their village leader -- produces just such a letter. Let's say no they get up go to Asia does that concern that -- this and members of my. And then -- other measures of that. Distant and limits in there hasn't can. Basically by and they confirmed yes that's true. Nobody has given them compensation under the -- from the governments of the -- of Afghanistan not found a coalition countries. And they've all made promises is -- is clearly moved by the family story. Tell them. That the work them involved in is opposed. Who's the conflict and the policies that were implementing and country. -- explains that the US refused to give them compensation women and -- And the Afghan government doesn't provide -- because they're considered economic migrants who came to find work not people fleeing the war. So refugees find odd jobs and subsist on donations from Afghan businessman."

" live out put out these. And then that race that -- race is they've given it to them 400 family is from whom they have to survive -- hundred companies on that momentum race. I have to go home go home and just give them make this little. Fit for a credit you go down like the book -- but one day for a --"

" I want to explain. That are some Afghan. Afghan businessman. But some tap dance. They come and they do time by time some food distribution option that they do not received any kind of aids and it's kind of Cherokee that they're going -- Afghan are being hit. Plus. Some affinity group trying to do some work like -- punishing leg because a -- in the construction work. But it does that the bill did they find these kind of jobs if they find human being -- much."

" Later in his hotel room I talk with Reyes about the encounter with the refugees. Just a personal level how -- you -- just wasn't sure how they're gonna react to that. But no surprise that that. I was welcomed. And then accepted. Did you did you worry that they might interviews aren't an enemy or war criminal or -- Maybe not so much."

" I don't know maybe just some resentment. It's -- system that fumes expected. Just resentment. For -- it's been a long journey he grew up in east Los Angeles the son of working class Mexican immigrants as a teen he got in trouble with the law. But he always had dreams of joining the military in 2000 he enlisted in the Marines. Being part of military something I was learned as a kid it's just something that really pinch me I always wonder how that that sense of certain. My country -- that that patriotism. Continue to appoint if I was nearing -- due to be the perfect time. Reyes was deployed in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan at the beginning of the US invasion. His unit had no translator to communicate with the local civilians and he learned that US intelligence was frequently wrong. There's no way to know if it is these guys are are. Convention. So you can do. Make yourself a target. And -- to get Shannon Smith. -- understood question -- music just to stuff as we're here. Reyes also served in Iraq where he experienced similar problems he asked himself if the US is helping the people of Iraq how come they keep shooting at me. He began to question why the US had invaded both countries."

" They came to the realization. That my -- pictures have been exploited. You know something really and truly believes there's a little kid -- have always wanted to. To be. Perceived as an American hero fighting for freedom. And -- justice and the American way. So and when I had the opportunity to do that. You know who's almost almost sure are true that opportunity and still made -- that money here."

" Reassess his views about the wars developed further after he got back to Los Angeles after serving in Iraq. Thank -- home to --"

" the moon which mean everything very difficult because you you've given so much of yourself into this into the this mission. Muscles contract amendment and just really -- plays a number you because you feel they -- it all in --"

" is drew strength from the fact that a majority of Americans oppose the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In April 2009 he testified before the US senate foreign relations committee on the need to end the war in Afghanistan. Here's an excerpt from his testimony. As I have experienced our troops are also experiencing a very low morale. Which often -- translates into high suicide rates. There's just a huge array of reasons why at minimum this occupation its nearest spot. We should not be sending any more troops into Afghanistan. And -- respects this entire patient has become counterproductive. I urge you senators three and Afghanistan while there's still time I can almost guarantee that sending more troops will mean more civilian and US troop casualties. Not for war but for occupation. Send more troops will not meet the US safer. It only build more opposition against us carriage on behalf of truth and patriotism to consider carefully everything to Afghanistan more troops more occupation is not the answer. Thank you."

" In the fall of 2009 -- plans to return to Afghanistan along with the congressional delegation. The congressman ended up not going Reyes came anyway as a member of the Iraq veterans against the war. But here in Kabul he would find his anti war views challenged from an unexpected source."

" Reyes and other anti war activists are driving to Kabul University to meet with students."

" Accompanying Reyes was Norman Solomon executive director of the institute for. -- accuracy and."

" One of the founders of the national review project. So my name is Norman Solomon and I live in California in the United States near the city of San Francisco. We really appreciate the chance to visit with you today and perhaps you have questions of us. And I'm here with a few of my friends who'll introduce themselves also. Manager -- as some from Los Angeles --"

" Point in the United States and I'm actually taking. A role in the anti war movement. And the states. These Afghan college students fear the return of the Talabani. Student some -- mean says Afghans want the US to change tactics and train the Afghan army. Something the Obama administration says it is now doing."

" Right now -- only the negative point about they use the fewest people US military. Is that Deanna killing civilians. In other things that -- helping us then helping -- in everything that happened this and I education they're helping us in our society. There have been missing and an -- management. A fierce."

" Liz tells the students that the US can't rebuild the country so long as it focuses on our military victory. I'm a former US marine and my job was to fight. I didn't educate and didn't rebuilt and reconstructed and entering the army my job was justified. In my experience I found that the fighting. Did a lot more bad thing good. I just learn from your from you guys. If you feel the same way. Quite a few of the students nod their -- yes. Prince and the students agreed that current US policy in Afghanistan isn't working however they couldn't agree on what to do about."

" My question. Is one that I would ask you don't. He's still not be too polite to you won't hurt my feelings if you give me an answer that you think I don't want me here. All but I wanna ask Q you're impression of the United States. In terms of but -- society in the United States and the activities of the US government in your country. And I'd appreciate any thoughts that you would share with us. Student Abu Mahmoud response. From the slow him from the -- suit -- room. -- possibly consider."

" The friendship between the two countries is based on honesty and so I will be honest. As we see it in the Americans came here to help the military fight al-Qaeda. But the main system the problem is in Pakistan not Afghanistan -- they should stop it there. If the US bombs villages and Afghanistan. Killing people who are attending a wedding or party that. Those -- who becomes how about the war becomes bigger and bigger the military is not the solution -- always economic formula I -- enough. Mostly to publishers looked up and I asked another student Abu Taiwan what should be yours do."

" I think this should make go to our me. Opening he's dead and did leave us. What you should train the Afghan army and then -- big -- because this is not there."

" Can mrs. that's how long should the troops stay to train. Me is -- any Nokia. The Americans then asked the entire class of 25 students some questions. Through a show of hands and very few students who wanted the immediate withdrawal of US troops. They feared the imminent return of the -- with its repression of women and indeed all Afghans. But they also oppose the US troop surge and operations that kill civilians student Arif Hussain X."

" Things we are left us hope that Americans came here to rebuilt or Afghanistan obviously passed. Votes she had the case before and so now we're we are not able to -- or Afghanistan. But all the capabilities -- to yet and now have to have them so -- we need on the international community's hopes to both of tennis and the students also hope that the US can have a positive influence on women's rights under the Taliban women were not allowed to work or even attend school. Student who -- says that during the US occupation conditions have improved for women in Kabul. But the pro US Karzai government hasn't done nearly enough."

" After the finish in the schools and no one's unspecified does I think the phone the opportunity they have is that going to the United States. And it does also say this because nineteen Vista because you have to -- demanded -- mocks and numbers that put this. And often need to thank god did big media didn't nothing to do you know I'm stunned because you cannot study found this on behalf throughout the -- scholarships on it -- it -- To fund countries and I -- is not let us do. Golden Fata and and and often that if you could have find -- viewer it and but most of the time need I don't think they want to lead in doctors to let. But then than it is good seeing have they had any ambition. And they want to edit and they want to or study find them on some. Including me. But what happens if."

" They can't leave the country. 'cause he says government policy and cultural tradition combined to oppress women including the arranged marriages of young girls."

" Most Kennedy and many did go and -- is smart ain't so they have to. Seven their families children Hoffman now that's. If they got -- at the husband does not lead them to work outside the house because they say -- out of can't do give you the food and be sent if they do that defy you to stay at home and Soviet Sudan and that educate them. This is the probably mean problem that I --"

" I decided to further explore the situation facing Afghan women like this in a secondary school in Kabul. More after this."

" You're listening to making contact. A production of the national media projects. If you'd like more information -- CD copies of this program please call 805295736. You can also download programs. Plus get our podcast. --"

" Girls are playing in an enclosed courtyard earn --"

" Inside other students attend an English class. What's your name and says doesn't -- yes and -- and friends you."

" Well the English classes still work in progress. Another girl named to Obama speaks and sorry to express the sentiments of her fellow students that women should be treated equally in Afghanistan. So some people say that Islam teaches that girls should not. Go to school what does she hasn't been my."

" Not hungry -- things actually those people saying in Iran. The religion of Islam says girls should go to school in Afghanistan so we can have a brighter Afghanistan ski. --"

" Who do the other students are great --"

" They don't call and then he would. Yeah yeah it's."

" Where such wanted to schools to our executive director of Afghans for tomorrow says women have made some progress since the US invasion in 2001. She says it's important to understand the country's historical context Afghan women must overcome years of turmoil and conservative traditions."

" You have also has thirty years of Mars or use a combination of a traditional society plus men have wanted to protect their women. And as -- wanted to protect their women they have shot the women more and more inside and the men have gone outside of other protected their women. I'm gonna spend thirty years ago had a lot of women given women doctors were women engineers they were women in all levels of society. So they actually have to come back to the level they were prewar. Before they can move forward beyond that while the Karzai government."

" Made changes for women mainly in Kabul in the early years after the US invasion it has more recently buckled to pressure from conservative religious and political forces. For example while women attempt -- universe thinks they are barred from Kandahar university in the south. President Karzai also caused a huge controversy by signing a new family law covering the country's Shiite Muslims. Among other provisions the law gives the father sole custody of children in case of divorce. And requires a husband to give permission before his wife can work. -- in my -- on a woman's rights activist and head of Afghanistan's red crescent society says she opposes the new family law."

" So for me of course it's not except. That. It is. Very important to move that diesel rules indignation they exist in many sticks it in Islam. What is important to have. The lose indignation that she's accepted for all women I'm practical for women. I didn't see the necessity. Of bringing this on meet the nation today."

" Guerrilla army fears that the provisions of the law affecting cheers will lay the basis for passing similar laws covering all Afghan government. She notes that in 1964. Islamic authorities in Afghanistan approved laws that gave women far more rights than they have today."

" If one person gets up and say is okay now let's have the same thing food being only -- Shia and Sunni. Then what would we do good so that's why we have to be used to get a boost. Community. And lose that lawyers. Who needs -- moves and even nations in 1964. We don't that you."

" The Shia family law -- very controversial and Afghanistan because the Karzai government promoted it as an example of greater autonomy for religious minority. Afghans for tomorrow metered -- to assess the family law as an example of how Afghans will have to resolve problems by themselves."

" Change needs to happen in the speed with which Afghans are comfortable. And it needs to being driven by them that the international community can't always. Rant and rave about -- of the poor Afghan women and there are some that I think that's okay. I think a better use of their time would be to zero in on programs that are working with Afghan women and supporting them."

" With that in mind a school to continues efforts to provide schooling and job training for couples girls and young women. But I discovered there's an even more difficult problem in Afghanistan bush heroin."

" Afghanistan produces 90% of the world's heroin. Contrary to popular perception -- is actually a fairly new phenomenon. Afghan farmers who grow opium poppies for centuries but the widespread processing of opium into heroin began only after the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The US backed mujahideen sold heroin to finance their war effort. Ships that brought US weapons to Pakistan who left with kilos of heroin. The Talabani actually stopped opium growing for two years just prior to the US invasion of 2001. So why did the drug trade come back and who controls it today. To find out I met with some farmers living near the Pakistan border. Farmer and we do not -- walks out -- lush fields now planted with vegetables and fruit trees. And irrigation ditch brings a fresh water to this small green --"

" Only a few years ago a -- was growing opium poppy. One link in the chain that produces tons of heroin every year. Moon -- would -- plus plus one Newman would have to. And it made economic sense. Our economy was weak. When we began growing poppy income was very good. We could sell one Q of raw opium for about 250 dollars. If that money will solve all of our problems. And filled -- compatible moves from tunnels and the bond explains that local drug traffickers would often -- money in advance to grow the opium. Although it does it do it happens a lot. Three times they got money in advance because they needed it when male team was ready for harvest they gave it to them to repay the advancement for the money was very good. -- you haven't you try to get more you know. The look."

" Traffickers then sold the drugs to larger criminal groups protected by the police and politicians. The national drug exporting rings are not led by the -- but by warlords allied with President Hamid Karzai according to Sean look -- my -- Ten of the UN organization on drugs and crime in Kabul. He says the Telemar only control about 3%. Of the country's heroin trade. Mean there are people within his Goldman's core. Big architects. And -- is what is really dangerous to -- do tax opium farmers and extort money from smugglers coming through their territory. The man who says that Talabani then includes with a pro government warlords for mutual profit."

" They pollute without a bomb in it comes to protecting and that constitute trafficking they did it comes to processing. So in longhand he in the parliament to give it to statements as sales writings that you -- not spoken to wants to hear. That ninth and India are basically negotiating perhaps not directly that people who are considered to be given me."

" Back in the 1990s. Leaders of the northern alliance known as in my -- are being fought against the Talabani they financed their Jihad with terror. -- Rasheed a former senior adviser to the Afghan finance ministry. Says after the US invasion in 2001. The warlords moved to Kabul and continued their drug dealing under the protection of the Karzai government."

" They have government positions. Some have been accused. People close to the president for example candidate's brother has been you know accused. I'm not really can't say yeah. And the ministry of interior. Is corrupt and that relationship with this drug dealers. Rashid says the US army ignore the drug trafficking for many years because the military wanted to maintain the warlords as allies. Did army you know there mandate where it's too. Capture and kill -- close it down and anybody that supports. It when we talk him anybody can go to dinner that's not part of my -- I should have looked at the other way. Because I learned that with him amended maybe you're helping them in other areas identifying al-Qaeda or some other -- so. They probably knew there are other things these people are doing that they just ignore."

" Over the past year poppy cultivation has dropped by 22%. And heroin production by 10%. Rasheed attributes the decrease in part to a government crackdown and effective crop substitution programs but solving the problem long term."

" Won't be easy. You're approach pastor be on both sides to say okay we're delighted to. Cunanan did disrupt this but also change people's -- acute. Tourist history education. Economic and how do I substitute -- and -- gradually through this people still. Government. And also. Interdiction wise who -- the major planets and how do we stop these people. And enforcement on the ground how best should that happen that needs to get coordinated between the African government between the international community. Army independents."

" Both Rasheed and UN officials say that the main reason for the drop in heroin production is the low prices farmers now receive for raw opium. If the price goes up so will you -- production. Back at the farm outside Jalalabad. You rod says he will keep raising vegetables and apricots so long as there profitable but he offers a cautionary note. -- plan lucky if in the future the price of opium goes up he will planet began eleven to go to local news. Time is running out for US policy in Afghanistan. The insurgents are on the offensive and the US generals are calling for sending even more troops. But the US backed Karzai government is losing popular support many Afghans interviewed on this trip to believe it is corrupt and incompetent. The widespread vote fraud in August presidential election only reinforces that feeling. The refugee camp president's on the outskirts of Kabul say they need change and years from now. Above all else these refugees want to return home for that to happen they say the US must withdraw its troops from Afghanistan. Refugees had -- com wants ex marine recruiter is to convey a message to the American people."

" Damn thing is damaged the eventual. Not about among the current American soldiers. There are people doing bad things. We don't like them. They are destroying our country. And I'm very grateful that you are doing something to help. I appreciate your help to bring nice stories to the west -- the cut out we've got hundreds of for making contact -- problem."

" That fit for this edition -- making contact. This program was written and produced by resent it. His new book conversations with terrorists we'll be in book stores in 30. Special thanks to Nancy -- a -- for translation. For a CD copy of this program common national radio project at 800 5295736. Well you can get our podcast at media packet -- or. Thanks for listening to making contact."