DATE=04/22/2002

TYPE=EDITORIAL

NUMBER=0-09838

TITLE=EDITORIAL: AFGHANISTAN UPDATE

INTERNET=Yes

CONTENT=THIS EDITORIAL IS BEING RELEASED FOR USE BY ALL SERVICES.

Anncr: Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government:

Voice: Afghanistan has suffered through more than two decades of Soviet rule, disorder, and oppressive Taleban rule. While progress has been made, it will take time to restore stability.

With the help of Afghan allies, the United States-led coalition removed the Taleban regime. The remaining Taleban and al-Qaida are either dead, captured, or on the run. They are less able to plan, finance, and launch terrorist attacks.

"What we're hoping," said U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, "is that as the people return to their homes from being internally displaced, and as people from refugee camps outside...return home...and the political process goes forward, that the combination of those things will produce a more peaceful environment."

Now an interim government is in place. Peacekeepers from several countries, including Britain and Turkey, are providing security in Kabul, Afghanistan's capital. Police units and border patrols are being trained. A national army is being formed. Hospitals and schools are open. Food and other humanitarian relief have been supplied. Women are able to go outside again. Now there is hope for a brighter future.

But problems remain. Coalition forces continue to search for remaining al-Qaida and Taleban elements. Coalition and Afghan forces are finding and destroying sites containing mines, rockets, explosives, and other weapons.

As U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld said, "For the majority of the Afghan people...the difference between this year and last year is night and day. The sporadic violence of recent days is nothing compared to the brutal rule of the Taleban and the al-Qaida and their terrorist allies that existed prior to the emancipation of that country."

Anncr: That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government. If you have a comment, please write to Editorials, V-O-A, Washington, D-C, 20237, U-S-A. You may also comment at www-dot-ibb-dot-gov-slash-editorials, or fax us at (202) 619-1043.