Bridging Two Nations With One Soul
Yesterday the main state TV channels were broadcasting the opening ceremony of a US made Tajik-Afghan bridge. Usually, I dont watch this kind of ceremony where presidents and other high officials talk too much but this time I made myself watch it. I have already talked about this bridge and there were some good discussions.
President Rahmon during the opening ceremony raised concerns about narcotics problem, while the president of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in his speech looked to for improvement of economic and trade co-operation between the countries and the region. The US side was represented by Carlos M. Gutierrez, Secretary of Commerce and two ambassadors: to Tajikistan and to Afghanistan.
The only thing I liked in this ceremony was the concert. It was performed by Tajik and Afghan singers with lyrics about friendship between the two people. Most of all I liked a song sang by an Afghan girl. Im not sure but I think it was a song of Franck Sinatra. It was amazing. Just imagine a beautiful Afghan girl in a traditional Afghan dress singing a song of Frank Sinatra on the Tajik Afghan border in perfect English (American). Beautiful
Also, you have an opportunity to see a photo report by PRIs the World.
on August 28th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
That’s one good development… we should establish a food for opium program or something… (jk).
But on a more serious note I think greater economic integration of the two nations should be of paramount importance. Afghanistan is starting from a really low base and if the US is committed to rebuilding the country then we should soon see double-digit growth figures pretty soon. One SMALL caviat though: If they (the US et al) finally find a way to cultivate the production of a commodity that is equally profitable, if not more than, as poppy.
But notwithstanding the structure of Afghan economy, it is reasonable to assume that they would ultimately need basic goods (such as electricity, fuel, sugar, pampers?) and that could come to them from Tajikistan…
See what I mean? The bridge is good for business (and perhaps for transporting heavy US altilery, should it decide to invade Uzbekistan)