Schiller Institute Webinar Shows The Way For The Stabilization Of Afghanistan

Only a political solution is possible for Afghanistan, and such a political solution is possible only if a common interest is found, based on a national development program among all components of Afghan society. This was the conclusion of a five-hour webinar sponsored by the Schiller Institute on July 31, involving diplomats and experts from many nations, including Afghanistan, Russia, China, Germany, Italy and the United States, on the theme: “Afghanistan: A Turning Point in History After the Failed Regime-Change Era.”

An example of how initiatives such as the webinar and the leadership provided by the Schiller Institute can serve to advance the peace process in Afghanistan emerged when the representative of the Afghani government initially offered the official Kabul line that “it is impossible to negotiate with the Talibans”, to eventually change his position during the discussion, agreeing that only a political solution is possible.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, who has been leading a process of institutional and informal dialogue for the past 18 months, said at the conclusion of the event, that we now “have a perspective of where to go.” The priority is “to put development on the table, which will be difficult to refuse” by anyone, and to provide all the support possible to make it happen.

Playing a lead role in the discussion from beginning to end was Professor Pino Arlacchi, who participated from Italy. Currently Sociology Professor at the Sassari University, he was Executive Director of the UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention from 1997 to2002 and is a former European Parliament Rapporteur on Afghanistan. He described his original plan which by 2001 had nearly eliminated opium poppy growing in Afghanistan, which then was reversed during the ensuing years of U.S. and NATO military operations (see below).

The diplomats presented a sweeping picture of the present situation. Ambassador Hassan Shoroosh, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Canada, spoke from Ottawa, saying that his country is “positioned to serve as a land-bridge” in Eurasia, and reviewed in detail various transportation corridors, from the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, to the Five Nations Railway route.

Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Permanent Representative at the Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN, stressed that the goal is stability, and there is no military solution. Dr. Wang Jin, Fellow at the Charhar Institute, presented four key aspects of China’s concerns: 1) that there are no “spillover” impacts of instability; 2) that there is a future of advancement for Afghanistan; 3) that extremism and terrorism do not gain ground; and 4) that China and Afghanistan have positive ties.

From Pakistan, Mr. Hassan Daud, the CEO of Khyber Pakh tunkhwa Province Board of Investment & Trade, pointed out that Afghanistan is one of “the least integrated” economically in the Central and South Asian region, after these decades of strife. He spoke of the great “economic spillover” that will ensue, with Pakistan leveraging its position and resources to become a logistical hub, and extending benefits to Afghanistan through the Belt and Road flagship China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the BRI.

From the United States, Ray McGovern, a former analyst at the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, and co-founder of the Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity, made many strong points, including that there must be “accountability” for the string of commanders who lied about what the U.S. was doing in Afghanistan, in Iraq and elsewhere. Many others were involved in the two question and answer discussions, with important exchanges over key topics. We publish this week excerpts from Mrs. Zepp-LaRouche’s and Mr. Arlacchi’s interventions.

The process of these international Schiller Institute conferences was initiated by Zepp-LaRouche shortly after the Feb. 12, 2019 passing of her husband, Lyndon LaRouche, to ensure the continuity of his thinking and strategic approach. On n Saturday Aug. 14, the LaRouche Legacy Foundation will hold its first international online seminar, “So, Are You Finally Willing To Learn Economics?” which will explore in depth Lyndon LaRouche’s fundamental discoveries and breakthroughs in the field of the science of physical economy.