Fawzia Koofi criticizes the West for ignoring warnings from Ahmed Shah Massoud about Islamic terrorism. She says Afghanistan has democratic traditions like local councils, and that people participated in elections despite security challenges, showing their support for democracy. However, she acknowledges that establishing democracy will take time and support for the Afghan people.

1. "l struggle to understand how
lOQuestions the West ignored Ahmed Shah
Massoud's warnings about
lslamic terrorism," says Koofi
Afghanistan is a traditional Should NATOboops still be
Fawzia Koofi 5*e€ fu*r€*€?e*r= fur*€Fe*c" country. But within that tradi- there?
ere# fuecsfue*d €* w*r*"*€ Eae&€gfue*€c€eaE tion there have always been The presence ofthe troops in
Sfuek *#w e s'€€*s*fuer *€ *erEEe=eeece€ democratic institutions like Afghanistan is a nee4 not an
local councils. If we give peo- option. Withdrawalis also a
ple a voice, they will go for it. need, but it shouldbe carried
How many attempts have been husband, as a father, he didn't Even in the few elections we out to ensure that we go for-
made on your Iife? accomplish his responsibili- had, with all the security chal- ward. Proper withdrawal
Two majorattempts. Onewas a ties very well. Would I accept lenges in areas like Helmand means that Afghan armed
fi ght between my soldiers and him if he hadn tbeen killed and Kandahar, people went to forces are strong, that the
Taliban. The secondwas an at- when I was 4? I'm not sure. the polling stations minutes Afghan government delivers
tempt to assassinate me inmy after the Taliban rocket attacks. good government.
campaign office. But almost !s democracy really possible What they need is mobiliza-
everytwo months I get aletter inAlghanistan? tion and support. How long do you think it will
from our security department take to tet theAfghan forces
warning me of death threats. ready to take over security?
Itwas onlyin zoo8 that
You also get marriage propos- the international commu-
als. Which doyou get more of? nity really started to support
There's a balance between the Afghan forces. We need to
two, but I think people lose make sure that they're being
hope after trying to convince given the required equip-
me to marry and then become ment, the required training.
my opponents. So I need to be It takes time. Washing your
careful about rejecting them. hands and saying that we are
done in Afghanistan is not
As a newborn, you were left goingto help.
outside to die. When you sur-
vived, your mother took you in. Does the Taliban have a place
Did you talk to her about that? in Afghanistan's government?
I always had sympathy for First, there are questions that
her, because as a woman in need to be answered: What
Afghanistan, she didn't want are the issues that we will
to deliver a girl. She knew compromise on? Does the
girls did not receive enough Taliban really want to share
care and love from the father power, or do they want to
and the family. She told me rule the country? I thinkwe
she thought the way to give need to talk to them from a
me another life was for me to position of power. We were
I
die. But I think after that day elected. =
she understood that I have
the determination to face the Do you think Pakistan is aiding
problems of this world. theTaliban?
There is no question that Paki- tr
ln your new book The Fxorcd stan is supporting Taliban. =
I
Daughterryou say your father The question is whether the
civilian leaders are involved. ;
spoke to you only once-to tell
you to go away. lthy did you
admirehim? Are you goingto run for
I admire my father for being a President?
hardworking, passionate, very IfI'm alive in three years. In
tough parliamentarian fi ght- Afghanistan, you never know. =
ing for his people's rights. As a LUSCOMBE
-BELINDA
48 rtrrt February 20,zot2