AFGHANISTAN: Former Afghan governor speaks of insecurity in eastern province
Posted by warvictims on July 14, 2008
By BBC Worldwide Monitoring
Text of report by Afghan independent Tolo TV, on 11 July
[Presenter] Tamim Nurestani, former governor of Nurestan Province, said that there are security problems in a number of districts in that province. Mr Nurestani said that there are reports about conflicts in the Barg-e Matal District of that province. Meanwhile, security situation is not good in Do Ab and Waigal Districts too.
Tamim Hamid has report on this.
[Correspondent] Tamim Nurestani had been the governor of Nurestan Province for over three years. He was dismissed a few days ago. He did not know about the reason behind his dismissal. He said that he had considerable achievements during his duty.
Reports about dismissal of Mr Nurestani were aired at a time when he told media about civilian casualties in a military operation by coalition forces in Waigal District of that province.
[Tamim Nurestani] It [civilian casualties] is harmful for people and the government of Afghanistan. It is also harmful for NATO forces and the West and democracies. If one civilian is killed, a hundred other people will become opponent. Who will benefit from it? The Taleban will. There should be a difference in performance between the government and the Taleban. Performance of some of our groups and forces are similar to that of the Taleban.
[Correspondent] In line with reports, over 20 civilians were killed in Waigal District in an air strike carried out by coalition forces on last Friday. Reports about civilian casualties were aired at a time when residents of Nurestan Province had complained about similar incidents in the past.
[Dad Mohammad, an MP for Nurestan Province, in Pashto] It has been repeated for a couple of times. Mawlawi Rabbani’s sister was killed. Road workers were killed in western Nurestan. Some 100 houses were destroyed in Shok village.
[Correspondent] There has been insecurity in Nurestan Province. The governor of Nurestan Province says most of these insecurity incidents take place in Kamdesh District of this province, because it has border with Pakistan.
[Tamim Nurestani] It is very clear and evident that those who carry out activities against the government in Nurestan Province and are organized there come from abroad, from our neighbouring country or they have safe havens there and their families live there. They receive salary from there and obtain weapons.
[Correspondent] Though there are suspicions about the removal of Tamim Nurestani from the post of governor of Nurestan Province, the main reason behind Mr Nurestani’s dismissal is not clear.
