Afghan MP Daoud Sultanzoy Discusses Afghanistan's Prospects at Homeland Security Policy Institute

June 18, 2010 - PRLog -- WASHINGTON — Afghan Member of Parliament Daoud Sultanzoy offered striking perspectives at The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) today, pegging Afghanistan’s natural resource wealth at “not two or three trillion … it’s trillions of dollars of natural resources that that country is sitting on” – and further suggesting that “if the war is not finished and if the United States leaves tomorrow, in three hours the Afghan government will collapse.”  The discussion was part of HSPI’s Ambassadors Roundtable Series on International Collaboration to Combat Terrorism and Insurgencies.  Frank Cilluffo, HSPI’s Director, moderated the discussion.

Sultanzoy’s comments focused largely on Afghanistan’s political culture and governance issues.  He emphasized the need to invest in democratic and responsive systems and institutions, and cautioned against becoming dependent upon any specific personality or group.  To that end, Sultanzoy highlighted the importance of upcoming parliamentary elections as a mechanism for creating accountability and investing Afghans in the future of their country.  He went on to state the elections must be more than an exercise on paper.  Moreover, if the international community walks back upon its pledge to bring democracy to Afghanistan, it risks suffering consequences to its own security and well-being.  “It behooves [Afghanistan’s] allies, especially the United States of America, especially those of you who are aware of the value of democracy, and the value of people’s ability to exercise their will, to make sure we raise our voices for a free and fair election.”

Sultanzoy also argued that it was important to remember that the US was in Afghanistan for a cause and that its efforts had implications for political stability, human dignity, and democracy in Afghanistan and the broader region.  He took issue with the reporting and interpretation of civilian casualties.  “They happen when Taliban, and when the enemies of freedom, are hiding in civilian areas and they cause these civilian casualties; but it’s not talked about in that fashion because it isn’t popular.”

Mr. Cilluffo opened the roundtable discussion by noting the intertwined relationships that exist between and among economic development, security, democratic accountability, and good governance.  “It almost goes without saying that economic growth and prosperity cannot occur without security underpinned by the rule of law.  Who really is the rule of law, especially once you get outside Kabul?” asked Cilluffo.  Sultanzoy replied that the rule of law is constantly under assault from corruption, nepotism, and special interests in Afghanistan.  This, he stressed, is why it becomes so important to emphasize systems and structures over personalities – so that political accountability and the rule of law can enjoy real efficacy in Afghanistan.

See HSPI’s event page for background resources and a biography of our speaker: http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/events/Sultanzoy.cfm.

Video from C-SPAN’s coverage of this event can be found here:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/294140-1.  


About HSPI’s Ambassadors Roundtable Series:

HSPI's Ambassadors Roundtable Series is designed to provide Ambassadors to the United States and their key diplomatic staff with a forum to discuss current and future counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts on a regional or country-specific basis. In an effort to draw upon various insights and experiences, the Ambassadors Roundtable Series builds upon and institutionalizes efforts over the past few years to engage in a dialogue with members of the international community, policy makers, and practitioners.

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About the GW Homeland Security Policy Institute:

Founded in 2003, The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute (HSPI) is a nonpartisan “think and do” tank whose mission is to build bridges between theory and practice to advance homeland security through an interdisciplinary approach. By convening domestic and international policymakers and practitioners at all levels of government, the private and non-profit sectors, and academia, HSPI creates innovative strategies and solutions to current and future threats to the nation. For additional information about HSPI, please visit http://www.gwumc.edu/hspi/