A Lesson From Experience by T.S.Khanna, 10-18-2001

October 18, 2001.

A Lesson from Experience

It is amazing that the USA has done so much for so many countries during the last century and yet some of them have become its enemies. It reminds me of an old adage, “ What did I do for you that you are against me?” Realization of the impact of jealousy is hard for people living in the countries, never in a position to help others. The New York tragedy of September 11, 2001, is a case of acute jealousy. All the countries harboring or promoting terrorism, openly or inwardly, against the USA are the ones whose dust was turned into dollars by the USA during the last half of the last century.

Poverty and ignorance provide the gullibility for a few to establish and promote their power based on a twisted vision of religion. They want their followers to remain ignorant, poor, weak, and non-questioning faith-bound to prevent any challenge or danger to their power. Their followers with a myopic vision make an easy prey for programming their minds to blindly support their leaders and ferociously fight their enemies, i.e., whoever does not support their power base. The advancing technology has given them immense power to fight against their enemies.

A civilization that promotes individual liberty, education, freedom, opportunity, scientific and logical thinking is automatically an enemy to those who like to keep commanding power based on a warped vision of religion.

Unfortunately, most of the countries that gained independence with the inspiration and assistance from the USA during the last century have been gaining population, poverty, ignorance, and corruption---an optimum mix of ingredients for religious exploitation. The main reason for this unfortunate plight is that sudden independence and democracy installed the ignorant and the corrupt in powerful governmental positions, legitimizing nepotism and corruption to the extent from where they cannot retract on their own. The future for those countries is bleak and burden for the USA unbearable.

Now the USA must consult its experience of the past century to formulate its policy for Afganistan---a country emerging as a strong candidate for assistance. People of Afganistan possess many qualities essential for progress; they are hardy, healthy, courageous, intelligent, and determined people. They need only a unity of purpose to work together for economic progress.

As I see it, to build a strong Afganistan, the United Nations (UN) may be involved in a 15-year development plan. During this period,

1. The UN may provide services for its defense needs and no arms aid be given to the government,

2. Establish a strong Civil Service Agency (CSA) to place only the most qualified persons (including women) in decision making governmental positions. The CSA may be answerable only to the UN and may recruit the qualified people from abroad when suitable local talent is not available. To minimize ethnic and religious prejudices, the CSA may also be given the responsibility to evaluate or review the performance of the government officials.

3. Establish a strong Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) for a constant watch over the governmental operations with powers to take an efficient and effective action. The ACA may be responsible to the UN only and make sure that the UN aid or the aid from the USA is not misused to swell up the Swiss Bank balances of the political leaders of Afganistan.

4. Establish high quality educational institutions to provide the best opportunity for the local people.

After fifteen years of active involvement, the UN may recede leaving behind a strong tradition of an efficient, effective, and clean government. This is what most developing countries need most. They do not need a constant flow of the American taxpayers’ dollars and America does not need new enemies. Let Afganistan set an example of leadership for other developing countries