Afghan ambassador to the United States Ishaq Shahryar spoke to
faculty and students Wednesday about the importance of continued
U.S. support in the democratic reconstruction of Afghanistan.
In his hour-long talk at the UCLA Faculty Center, Shahryar
stressed the importance of a peaceful and secure environment as a
foundation for economic and political prosperity in
Afghanistan.
Shahryar was born in Kabul but immigrated to the United States
in 1956. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara,
earning a bachelor’s in chemistry as well as a master’s
in international relations.
Before accepting current Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s
invitation last year to become ambassador to the United States ,
Shahryar enjoyed a successful career as a scientist and
entrepreneur, doing influential work in the development of solar
energy technology, including improvements in the energy efficiency
of solar cells.
Shahryar expressed gratitude for the role that the United States
has played thus far in establishing security and democracy in
Afghanistan, especially commending the recent unanimous approval by
Congress of the Freedom Support Act, which will provide $3.3
billion in aid to Afghanistan in coming years.
While he acknowledged the need for U.S. involvement in other
parts of the Middle East, he warned that the situation in Iraq
should not overshadow the need for continued aid in
Afghanistan.
“Let us secure the victories we have already won,”
he said.
Though he described U.S. support of the new government in
Afghanistan as “generous,” Shahryar emphasized that
U.S. involvement in Afghanistan should not be considered strictly
altruistic. He said that assistance to Afghanistan will have long
term direct benefits to the United States.
As a country rich in natural resources, including oil, iron,
copper and precious metals, only the inadequacy of infrastructure
and the absence of security deter investors from Afghanistan, he
said.
“Investment does not come to countries that are unstable
and insecure. Corruption repels investment, and poverty leads to
terrorism,” the ambassador said.
Shahryar sees the influx of wealth to Afghanistan as a direct
benefit to American security.
“The return to the United States in terms of security will
be commensurate to an investment,” he said.
Though he expressed optimism for the future of Afghanistan with
the continued help of the United States, he warned that the goal of
a peaceful, secure and democratic nation is still far from a
reality.
He cited problems of public health as some of the main barriers
to the stabilization of Afghan society, specifically referring to a
child mortality rate of 20 percent and a 10 percent instance of
death during childbirth in the country.
Though Shahryar is an outspoken advocate of U.S. involvement in
Afghanistan, he believes that the nature of the United
States’ role in the country is changing. The United States
currently has approximately 8,000 troops stationed in
Afghanistan.
“What we need now is a new kind of army ““ a
benevolent army of American teachers, doctors, engineers, public
health workers and perhaps even a few lawyers,” he said.
Though he asserted that Afghan citizens are grateful for the
assistance of the United States, he also stressed the pride and
resilience of his people.
In his closing remarks, Shahryar expressed his hope that
Afghanistan will become a hub of democracy in the Middle East and
an example for the rest of the region.
He summarized his attitude toward the U.S. support and his faith
in his people’s perseverance with the words of Winston
Churchill, who once said, “Give us the tool, and we’ll
get the job done.”