PROTECT THE PISTACHIOS

 

BADGHIS:  Minister Rahimi and Governor Arman:  "Protect the Pistachios"

Minister Rahimi visited Badghis July 11 to draw attention to the pistachio harvest and to participate in the ground-breaking ceremony of a wholesale produce market sponsored by USAID's Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives – North, East West (IDEA-NEW) program.  Ambassador Todd and a delegation from the U.S. Embassy accompanied the Minister on his visit.  The visit was welcomed by Governor Delbar Jan Arman, who has been trying to draw attention to Badghis' efforts to control the pistachio harvest.  Every year, early harvesting of trees located on extensive public lands reduces the quality and value of the pistachio nuts, which are an important source of income for the local population.  By establishing a system of checkpoints and disseminating information about the harvest, the Governor hopes to improve the results.  Minister Rahimi pledged to support this effort by coordinating with the Ministries of Interior and Defense to provide more forces to protect the trees.  Unfortunately, early harvesting began on the very same day, a month before the nuts will reach their peak.  Reportedly, one ANP and one civilian have already been killed in clashes surrounding the scramble for this public resource.  (Sonya Tsiros)

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                       

NANGARHAR:  Kandahar Power Broker Takes Aim at Nangarhar's Governor

Kandahar Provincial Council (PC) Chairman Ahmad Wali Karzai once again inserted himself into the politics of Nangarhar Province, this time at a press conference on July 10 where he expressed support for the Nangarhar Provincial Council in their ongoing feud with Nangarhar Governor Gul Agha Sherzai.  For the last three months, Nangarhar's PC has been waging a high-profile PR campaign against the "Sherzai Reconstruction Fund," an illegal tax taken by Sherzai on goods imported into Afghanistan through the Torkham Gate border crossing.  Although reports indicate that Nangarhar's PC – controlled by the powerful Arsalie family – may be pressing this issue in order to obtain a share of the illegal tax profits, Wali Karzai nonetheless praised them for their stand against corruption and vowed that the issue would not be resolved until the illegal tax was ended.  Wali Karzai went on to make wide-ranging comments on the evils of corruption, lamenting the fact that most power and money ends up in the hands of a privileged few families (including, presumably, his own).  (Nujayed Ahmad and Shane Kelbley)

 

                                     

NANGARHAR:  Shinwar Jirga Decision on Land Dispute

Haji Aman Kari, brother of the late Khogyani tribal leader Haji Zaman, announced today the final decision of the multi-tribe jirga tasked with resolving the ongoing land conflict between the Shinwari Alisherkhiel and Saipai sub-tribes.  The 40 jirga members, composed of prominent Nangarhari tribal leaders, along with the entire Nangarhar provincial council, signed a document finding in favor of the Saipai sub-tribe.  The jirga found that the Alisherkhiel were responsible for the violence which erupted over a land dispute between the two sub-tribes earlier this year, claiming approximately 13 Saipai villager's lives.  The estimated 40 million Pakistani rupees (about $470,000) paid by the Alisherkhiel tribe to the jirga as "Machalgha" (collateral), was forfeited because the sub-tribe did not attend the jirga and denied its authority.  According to jirga tradition, this money is now the property of the jirga members, while the Machalgha provided by the Saipai tribe will be returned.  (Nujayed Ahmad & Shane Kelbley)

 

 

Dick Custin