In an interview on Arab News published July 10, a senior Taliban leader called on the international community to come to Afghanistan’s aid and help them to become a thriving part of the global community after 20 years of war. He proposed a true “win-win” effort between Afghanistan and partners, on the one hand to assist in developing the newly sovereign nation, and on the other to assist the farmers who, having recently abandoned growing opium, require urgent assistance in growing substitute crops. Such an effort to remove for good the largest source of heroin would clearly have a beneficial effect on the world.
The official, Suhail Shaheen, said that the Taliban was successful in liberating their country from the occupying Americans, and now they want to welcome collaboration and relations with the whole world. “[W]e are building our country. We aim to eradicate poverty and to provide job opportunities for our people. For that we need cooperation from all countries, and if they are willing, we welcome them,” Shaheen said.
The official also slammed those “occupying powers” who spent countless billions over 20 years of war, none of which benefited the Afghan people. He also slammed the sanctions, which are still in effect, saying, “The common people continued to live below the poverty line.” He continued, “We are working to tackle these issues and there are some big projects such as road construction that generate internal revenue.”
