Unfinished Business - Afghanistan, April 2003
The Taliban may have been defeated but Afghanistan remains dangerous and unstable. Now there are concerns about the level of US commitment.
In recent weeks, foreign troops have come under increasing attack from rebels. Fundamentalists have threatened to kill supporters of the 'infidel government' and vast swathes of the country have been declared 'no-go areas'. However, the main threat to stability comes from warlords like Pacha Khan Zadran. During the war, he helped Americans seize airfields and provided 600 soldiers for their campaign. In return, he was promised the governorship of Gardez but when he did not receive this, he shelled the town, killing 25 people. Afghans complain that America has not done enough to help rebuild their country. As in Iraq, the US military has taken on elements of reconstruction -- a role usually reserved for UN and aid agencies. These organisations claim the army's actions are backfiring and endangering their workers. "By getting involved they are blurring the distinction between NGOs and the military," complains a CARE International worker. The murder of a Red Cross aid worker last month gives added weight to her concerns. The flow of aid to Afghanistan has slowed and President Karzai's repeated pleas for help are increasingly falling on deaf ears. The fear now is that with America distracting with Iraq, things can only get worse.
Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures
