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01/06/2004: "Kandahar Chronicles #52 - 05/01/2004"

The Constitutional Loya Jurga has wrapped up under a giant white tent on a hilltop in Kabul. Twenty one days of acrimonious debate concerning all aspects of what a document like this draft should represent plus the added spice of this being Afghanistan. UNAMA bigshot Brahimi and Karzai got up in turn in front of the assembly to announce the successful conclusion of deliberations and declare the way forward is clear, while at the same time wagging a finger at those elements that may serve to disrupt this agreed way forward. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the details of the constitution, (no internet or English newspapers) so I’m relying on the bits and pieces I hear from the guys in the office. From what I can gather, these are the main points…

Presidential powers are quite extensive but are counterbalanced by two governing houses, whether they’re similar to Lords and Parliament or Congress and Representatives I’m not sure. I’d guess the latter as this is a republic but there will be two vice presidents so how the role of succession should occur should a second, more efficient assassination attempt be made on Karzai, I’ll have to wait to hear.

The question of what the national language would be was a highly contentious one that was solved as neatly as I can see possible. Both Pashtu and Dari were declared the two main official languages while several minor languages would become the third official language in the areas where those speakers lived. Pashtu is spoken by about 40% of the population, while Dari, which is similar to Persian, is widely spoken in the west and north of the country.

Now comes a couple of sizzlers, freedom of religion and the rights of women. In short, people are free to practice any religion they choose and women are included in the phrase, “…equal rights to all citizens of Afghanistan.” This should thrill the boys throwing the bombs around Kandahar. The Taliban and their allies already feel the foundations of Islam are under threat, and to have controversial points like these should result in a lot of fun and games around the country. Whatever the outcome of this important event I can’t help but feel there will be a backlash from those who supported the previous administration sooner rather than later.