Western responsibility in Kabul's deaths

Afghanistan has not been prepared by the West either from a military or a political standpoint. The presence of foreign troops is a limit on peace. Civilian casualties are up since 2015. The Church in the country is the "creative" and "silent" presence of God's love. Pope Francis sends a telegram for the victims of today`s attack.

Kabul (AsiaNews) - "The responsibility of the West is that it has not created a military and political situation to counter the Taliban," a source in Kabul told AsiaNews following this morning carbomb, which left at least 80 people dead and 350 wounded, including many civilians, women and children.

This morning, the Pope sent a telegram of condolences to the victims of this "brutal act of violence", entrusting the souls of the victims to God and assuring the people of Afghanistan of his prayer for peace. In the message, the pontiff expressed "sadness of the abhorrent attack in Kabul and of the many dead and seriously injured".

The presence of 13,400 foreign troops "has not only not reduced the Taliban's strength and arrogance, but it seems to me that it has increased it," the source said. By contrast, the Church's history is very different for it is "the presence of the creative silence of God's love".

This attack highlights the inadequate preparation of the Afghan military. "Victims have increased among civilians, even compared to 2015. This means a lack of adequate preparation given to the army and the police by us."

The source complains about the scores of people killed this month, including a German humanitarian worker, and the abduction of a Finnish colleague. "The poor quality of the materiel provided to the Afghan army has been discussed. Who provided it? The West provided it."

In addition to the military, this includes the political and bureaucratic system that the West should have prepared with greater seriousness,” in particular, "all that is the basis of a democracy: schools, education, hospitals, roads, jobs. How many of these points have been realised or done is difficult to say; at best only a few."

"We can hope for peace only when foreign military forces leave the country. It is my opinion, as confirmed by the facts of history, and until then the Taliban will not sit at the table of peace."

Some 21 countries are set to meet in Kabul on 6 June to discuss peace at the invitation of the Afghan government. They include the countries of Central Asia, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Iran, Pakistan, India, China and Norway.

"It depends on the kind of spirit they will bring, what kind of help these countries want to contribute to Afghanistan`s progress, which cannot be just economic. There is need for cultural, health and social progress.”

Meanwhile, most people appreciate the presence of non-military Westerners, like NGOs. "Afghan tradition has always been respectful for foreigners who do not engage in proselytism, who come to work, and do good for the country."

In Western countries, "people should care about those areas where there is no peace. There was a time when Europe sent back Afghans because 'there was no war.' Either phoney news came from Afghanistan so that some could play the martyrs' game or what came out was true. How can anyone say that this is a country at peace?"

The source told AsiaNews that "the presence of the Church" is "the presence of the creative silence of God's love. Good things can be done in silence. It is a silence full of love. It works, silently, but full of God's love, which is the main source of his being there, for both clergy and believers. However small, the international community of believers is precisely this silent and creative presence of God's love."