TRT 26:40
Afghanistan: A Fragile Peace
Produced by Olga Shalygin and Cliff Orloff
With all the attention now on Iraq, the story of what is happening in Afghanistan is getting very little exposure. This documentary, shot in April 2004, illustrates the difficulties facing Afghanistan as it tries to transform itself into a civil and democratic society.
The government program for disarmament of warlords and their soldiers is not completed. These private militias and low level commanders continue to threaten the safety and security of rural Afghans, who are the vast majority of the population. Powerful warlords control most of the cities as well, with funds from the opium poppy harvest contributing to their strength. The opium trade on which the country's economic development is now based is a major threat to the central government. Despite these conditions, Afghans are putting great hope in the upcoming elections.
New Afghan voter registration card |
Women display election poster after registering |
Opium poppies generate big incomes for warlords |
Victim of election violence is tended by family |
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