A poll by Oxfam just completed in Afghanistan makes interesting reading. It suggests that ordinary Afghanis see the things that make their life miserable somewhat differently than the popular reports put out by diplomats and the international media . Based on a sample of 720 people, seven in ten (70%) individuals see unemployment and poverty as a major cause of the conflict in the country, while almost half (48%) point to the corruption and ineffectiveness of the Afghan government. Other factors that individuals identify as major drivers of the conflict are: the Taliban (36%); interference by other countries(25%); Al Qaeda(18%); the presence of international forces (18%); lack of support from the international community (17%); warlords (15%); and criminal groups (14%). The poll suggests what many have said for a long time – that the economy and jobs are the most important things that need addressing to win the confidence of the people, and that the presence of the international forces is not an important factor in alienating Afghanis from government. The real sources of alienation are poverty and the corruption of the Karzai government. For almost incomprehensible reasons the west, Canada included have virtually ignored these two important facts. Military spending has pushed economic development aid to the back burner, and the corruption and malfeasance of the Karzai government was ignored until the election finally forced it onto the attention of the western media.

Oxfam’s recommendations deserve the attention of the west. It says that “the government must take serious steps to establish the rule of law at all levels, crack down on corruption and end the culture of impunity and patronage, including through root and branch reform of the police and judiciary. There must be a commitment to investigate crimes and abuses associated with the conflict and pursue justice, acknowledgement, reconciliation and redress.” The west must “commit and deliver not just more aid, but more effective aid for humanitarian, reconstruction and development activities throughout the country; hold the Afghan government accountable and provide more support for it to tackle corruption and criminality; provide strong support for local peace building and conflict resolution initiatives, led by
civil society, and urge the Afghan government to pursue justice, reconciliation and redress for abuses caused during the past three decades of conflict”.

It also urges the establishment of a “regional peace process, including all regional powers, to end adverse interference in Afghanistan’s affairs and provide constructive support for its security and economic development”

It is impossible to say it any better. The west, including Canada, needs to listen and act. This does not mean the troops must leave. It does mean that the hot pursuit strategies of our troops in the south is largely irrelevant and silly. But it also means we should be debating what we should be doing differently, rather than simply over reaching each other in embracing 2011 when our troops are to leave. This is really in most ways a minor sideshow. The things that really matter – the things raised by Oxfam – are hardly ever discussed seriously in Canada. That is a shame.