March 12, 2003

After the US started operations in Afghanistan in late 2001, Bush said the United States would not walk away from the Afghan people. He even suggested a grand plan to rebuild the country with US help, patterned after the successful Marshal Plan in Europe after WWII.

But, politicians don't keep promises.

In the 2003 budget proposal the Bush Administration did not ask for any money for Afghanistan, either in humanitarian aid or reconstruction. They have not given an explanation. Neither did the US Agency for International Development which distributes aid to foreign countries.

The 2003 budget proposes billions in aid to many countries but not Afghanistan. The main beneficiaries will be Israel and Jordon. The anti-AIDS will also benefit greatly. Now Congress must find about $300 million the President refused to add to the budget. Money Afghanistan was promised by Bush.

How can the Administration be so short-sighted?

When Bush senior was president, and after the Soviets left Afghanistan, a power vacuum was created amid the chaos. He failed to recognize this or didn't care. Terrorist elements, such as  bin Laden took control creating the terrorist threat we must fight today.

Ignoring Afghanistan yet again, will lead to more problems and a higher terrorist threat.

What is with these Bush Presidents? Don't they get it? Does anyone?