First Lady Laura Bush Arrives In Afghanistan
EmailABC News’ Jonathan Karl Reports: Bamiyan, Afghanistan — Urging the world to "stand more strongly with Afghanistan," First Lady Laura Bush visited remote Bamiyan province, where the Taliban regime prompted international outrage by destroying two giant Buddhist statues in 2001.
"We have seen a resurgence of Taliban and Al Qaeda killings and kidnappings in Afghanistan," Mrs. Bush told ABC News in an exclusive interview aboard the Air Force jet she flew from Washington to Afghanistan: "I don’t want people to think it means we need to give up. I think it just means we really need to stand more strongly with Afghanistan."
Mrs. Bush has made support for Afghanistan’s women — who endured brutal repression under the Taliban regime — one of her signature issues. This is her third trip here, the second traveling alone, without the President. Previously, no First Lady had ever stepped foot in Afghanistan.
The First Lady’s trip to Bamiyan Province is rich in symbolism. Dirt poor and remote, Bamiyan became a symbol of the Taliban’s backwardness and senseless brutality when two enormous Buddhist statues were blown up in March 2001 by Taliban militiamen. They were destroyed under an edict to remove the "gods of the infidels." The statues had stood for more than 1500 years and were considered among the world’s greatest ancient cultural treasures.
"It’s a destruction of historical magnitude," Mrs. Bush said. "I see it as a symbol of what the Taliban did and what Al Qaeda does. [It was] a way of destroying the past, a way of destroying what people before you thought or what they believed or what they liked and I think it really is representatives of a sort of destruction of civil life, cultural life, civil society that they represented."
Today Bamiyan is a different kind of symbol: Governor Habiba Sarabi is the first woman governor in Afghanistan’s history. Bamiyan remains one of Afghanistan’s poorest provinces – underdeveloped even by Afghanistan’s standards, but there has been progress her. Under the Taliban in 2001, there were few schools here and virtually no female students. Now government officials say 38,000 girls attending Bamiyan’s schools, 45 percent of the total.
Mrs. Bush is in Afghanistan at a time when President Hamid Karzai is facing criticism for not taking strong enough action against drug lords, war lords and government corruption. Former NATO commander General James Jones (ret), for example, expressed a widely held view when he recently told the New York Times, "The Karzai government, which is benefiting so much from the sacrifice, in both treasure and lives, by so many countries, needs to show more willingness to meet the expectations of the international community."
For her part, Mrs. Bush defended Karzai as "very popular" in Afghanistan.
"I think its undermining, frankly, to blame him for a lot of things that may or may not be his fault. He inherited, just by becoming president, a country that had been totally devastated, " Mrs. Bush said. "It’s very, very difficult when you when you have Al Qaeda and the Taliban all on your border and making incursions."
Due to security concerns, Mrs. Bush’s trip was shrouded with secrecy. President Karzai wasn’t even told of her plans until about 24 hours before her arrival, and the small group of reporters traveling with her were sworn to secrecy until she landed.
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Some people will go to the most extreme places to get away from George Bush.
Posted by: joeforsure | June 8, 2008, 6:58 am 6:58 am
lol @ joeforsure. that was funny.
I do not know much about laura bush, but her daughter may NOT be voting republican this year. That tells me that the Bush family (despite GW’s ineptness) raised their daughter to think for herself.
Obama ’08!
Posted by: Hope For Change | June 8, 2008, 7:04 am 7:04 am
Obama has been the leader of the Senate Foreign Affairs and has never stepped foot outside this country since the Democrats made him the Leader of this position.
Is this what to expect from Obama to run around the country selling books with Oprah if elected.
Posted by: dumbo | June 8, 2008, 7:13 am 7:13 am
Maybe Laura Bush has a mission – to find Osbama Bin Laden, since the husband could not find him! He is in that country since the beginning as per reports. People do not listen to the George due to the constant lies. Laura Bush is the next choice for publicity.
Posted by: Mim | June 8, 2008, 7:52 am 7:52 am
Nothing like wasting jet fuel!!! What in the world is she supposed to do there? Answer: Waste more of our tax dollars!!!!! What nerve for W to waste so much money, but of course it is not his money. JERK
Posted by: NAMVET | June 8, 2008, 8:20 am 8:20 am
Exactly, a waste of fuel.
Posted by: ken | June 8, 2008, 9:39 am 9:39 am
Thank God this blog is NOT about the Clintons.
Posted by: Best | June 8, 2008, 9:51 am 9:51 am
“We have seen a resurgence of Taliban and Al Qaeda killings and kidnappings in Afghanistan,” Mrs. Bush told ABC News….
we? WE?! you got a little soldier in your pocket Laura? WE?! “WE” have been shooting our mouths off about this phony war your husband made. “WE” (i.e., you) have been living in luxury while the rest of our sons and daughters have been dieing and living a h&ll like life in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan. WE (i.e., YOU) have created a tremendous interest in AQ by others, perhaps direct or indirect relatives and friends of the hundreds of thousands WE have killed and the millions whose lives WE have recked havoc upon by destroying the only life they knew…WE? YOU SISTER…. YOU and that CHIMP you married.
Posted by: RW | June 8, 2008, 10:08 am 10:08 am
Will you democrats get over yourself and just give this lady some credit. As a first lady she has been amazing. She does more for charity then most of America put together and because she has no arrogance to her she gets down to the level of the people she’s speaking to. do you think Michelle Obama will give up trying to run the white house to do a quarter of the work that this first lady has done – NO.
Keep up the good work you have been doing Mrs Bush.
Posted by: Louise | June 8, 2008, 10:57 am 10:57 am
Laura needs to tell the Taliban to stop it.
Posted by: Sally | June 8, 2008, 11:24 am 11:24 am
wagain,
I have not degraded anyone. It’s common knowledge that Bush didn’t know the price of gas was going up to $4 by summer. It is common knowledge that Bush failed to take action prior to, during and after Katrina. If you don’t like to hear the truth, fine. But I did not degrade Bush. He did it to himself.
Obama ’08!
Posted by: Hope For Change | June 8, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm
Now laura has mre combat expeience than her husband.
Posted by: The lord of war | June 8, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
truconserv: “You probably haven’t heard that the Pentagon released a report in March showing the EXTENSIVE ties of Saddam’s regime to al Queda.”
We haven’t heard of that, because it simply isn’t true. Please provide a link to some objective evidence. I am always up for a good debate, but you Bush supporter hold-outs bend the truth until it means what YOU want it to mean. Half of your post is half-truths and outright lies!
Posted by: Troy Street | June 8, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm
Screw Afghanistan and be done with it!
What in the name of Hell are we doing
there that takes this many years?
or is this another 100 year war
for McBush to Finish.. at the cost of
American life and to what end.
there is nothing there ..
oh you say well they will come back
to the USA again and strike Us.
That line is now just old and tired..
Anybody really think we have them tied
down so they can not come from either
Afghanistan or Iraq to the USA if
they want to? this has been a waste of
time money and life..
Posted by: Robert Green | June 8, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
As a Navy Chief, I got a lot of respect for Laura Bush as a First Lady and as a mother. I am also sure she will not misspeak about a sniper fire nor she will use her great uncle to promote her patriotism.
Posted by: al4mcattack | June 8, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm
Some of you people are seriously crazy. Laura was doing a great thing out there. Thousands of people came to see her; men, women, and childern. She came with a message supporting education for the war torn country. Over the years it will provide adults w/ educations they wouldn’t of got otherwise. the more education the less terrorists in the country.
Some of you just want us out of there. I say go there for yourself and then say that. I had that courage but I don’t say what you do. Get educated
Posted by: laura | June 8, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
Laura Bush is a true hero to Afghani women!!
where are other “liberal” women organization praising her trip and her efforts??? The silence from women’s group is just unimaginable.
Where is Obama on women’s issue in Afghanistan??? or Iran or in Africa?? Where women gets stoned on regular basis…or in Iran where they the highest # of women political prisoners..the country that Obama has no problem meeting with the regime and legitimize their existence!
Posted by: frieda | June 8, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
So, who should McCain choose as his vice president? Well, Laura Bush, of course!
His campaign really needs a woman with backbone, not afraid to face the Afghan leaders. And, just think, he could then claim he chose a woman!
Posted by: Albert | June 8, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
I am a vet and every male in my
family, including my sons are
vets so we do have some
patriotism.
Laura Bush is one classy and good
lady. But at a time when the
price of gas is so dear, I very
much fail to see how much good
her trip did. Remember, not only
did she use AF 1 but other planes
protected her. The question how
much lasting good the trip did?
BTW, I remember LBJ going
through the WH turning off lights
to conserve energy during a
energy crisis. He stated that
he wanted to set an example.
I really wish the WH would try
to do the same when it comes
to the usage of fuel.
Posted by: Beto | June 8, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
I look at Laura Bush and then I think about Michele as first lady – I believe……. I believe that I’m going for another glass of vino – God please help keep the unthinkable from happening.
Posted by: Jimbo | June 8, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
Jimbo – Michelle will be the best first lady ever. Laura Bush is the unthinkable – and it already happened!
Posted by: Karl Hungus | June 8, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm
I can see it
8 years from now Laura Bush will run for the White House and will talk how they landed in Afghanistan under Sniper Fire :)
Posted by: TEH | June 8, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
Why are the taxpayers funding Laura’s latest exotic shopping expedition?
Posted by: ReaganWasRight! | June 8, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
To Karl.
Too many years in college? Get in the real word. Ever employ people for a profit? I didn’t think so…. No idea how our world works!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 8, 2008, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm
Troy Street.!
Ever hear of Abdu Musabul Zarqawi. He was the commander of the forces against the US in Afghanistan. Just before he got that job he was training terrorists for al Queda….. in Iraq – THAT WAS BEFORE OUR INVASION – CHECK YOUR FACTS!! Guess where he went after being wounded and chased out of Afganistan…. BACK TO IRAQ!!!!! You guys have spent too many years in college and too many hours watching the evening (Democrat( news!!!!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 8, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Absolutely absurd. No need to go there Laura. Waste of time and money.
Obama 08!
Posted by: traci | June 8, 2008, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm
Laura is a classy wonderful lady.Her support of oppressed females in Afghanistan is wonderful .
Posted by: Dennis D | June 9, 2008, 9:24 am 9:24 am
Come ON people! I’ve been to Afghanistan! She probably did some good there…so leave it alone.
I mean, if you want to compare usage of jet fuel, we can always look at others who use it a LOT more than her. I could SPECIFICALLY give names of Senators, Representatives, and other government officials who waste a LOT more fuel than she does…so if that’s your ONLY beef, you got nothing.
Afghanistan needs all the help it can get!
Posted by: chiefpayne | June 9, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm
Bravo to Mrs. Bush! I’m not surprised that all of the Obama supporters who didn’t vote for a woman for the Democratic nomimation don’t care about the women in Afghanistan.
Posted by: annareid | June 9, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm
ANDERS SCOOPER…NO such LUCK..We are stuck with her until 20 January..Along with the NUT CASE..
Posted by: Saber Jet | June 9, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
Troy Street, Yes the report was released by the Pentagon during the week of March 10th – 14th of this year.This was provided by the U.S.Joint forces command containing over 2,000 pages of supporting documents. It was co-authored by Lt. Col.Kevin Woods and James Lacey. It is a 94 page summary. Also, there are I think about over 600,000 documents that have yet to be translated. I also recommend the Harmony documents that contains one letter written on Jan. 18, 1993 from Saddam that said, “to hunt the Americans that are in Arab lands, especially in Somalia, by using Arab elements or Asian(Muslims) or friends.” The study noted that Saddam’s Iraq was “a long standing suporter of international terrorism” and that the particular documents provided ‘detailed evidence of that support’ (I may remind you that on 6/27/93 Clinton launched a missle attack against Iraq.) It also details that Saddam provided “training Arab fighters (non-Iraqi) in Iraqi training camps more than a decade prior” to 2003. There is also a letter dated Jan. 11, 1995 that Saddam personally authorized his General Director of Intell to establish ties with Bin Laden in Sudan. The Duefler and Kay report extensively on WMD’s and the Senate Intell report also discusses this in 2006. Amazing this stuff didn’t get reported by the mainstream media. What a shocker?! I rely on intell that is released to give debate and do not tell lies just because I support Bush. One can criticize the way the war was handled but you can’t say Saddam didn’t have WMD’s. Simply isn’t true.
Posted by: trueconserv | June 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
40 years ago the Democrats would have run Obama out of town for his ideas of “change”. But then, 40 years ago the Democrats were still anti-communist.
Posted by: pwhited | June 9, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
You people are so lame. She is over there doing something good but you couldn’t give two sh1ts about anyone that needs help unless you can score some political points from it. What a sick bunch of pathetic fools.You should be ashamed of yourselves for bashing someone who is trying to help the poor.
Posted by: Stan | June 10, 2008, 2:25 am 2:25 am
Kudos to Laura Bush for being a graceful strong wife, without feeling the need to be a screeching harpy like Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama
Posted by: Matthew Rand | June 12, 2008, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm