July 31, 2001

9:23 AM

Taliban seeks "friendship" with the U.S.Despite their myriad human rights violations and long-standing involvement in a brutal and bloody civil war, the Afghani Taliban government wants to open diplomatic relations with the U.S. Is there really anything to gain by having friendly relations with a nation under UN sanction which treats their own with brutality and has threatened and defied us at every turn?
posted by Dreama (15 comments total)

Who are you talking about, the US or the Taliban? You need to specify which nation that treats its own with brutality is which.
posted by Ezrael at 9:27 AM on July 31, 2001

But they're such great table tennis players! How could we not be friends?
posted by starvingartist at 9:30 AM on July 31, 2001

I believe that Dreama was referring to the outright brutality of the Taliban, as opposed to the largely imaginary brutality of the US :)
posted by UncleFes at 9:30 AM on July 31, 2001

and defied us at every turn

Ahhh, the arrogance of a country that feels all must bow to its wishes. Physical abuse of citizens is one thing, but restrictions on the Internet, cosmetics, etc. is a cultural issue. As backward as you think they are, plenty of other countries consider us backward.
posted by fleener at 9:41 AM on July 31, 2001

We do have a previous longstanding relationship with the Taliban: we were a primary source for weapons for the Mujahadin during their war with the Soviets. I think at least up until the Gulf War the Afghani considered the US their friends. I'm not sure how that will balance out; most of the Taliban were Muj fighters during the war, but many also supported the Iraqis during Desert Storm and in general have provided a haven for anti-American terrorists, including bin Laden. And they certainly don't like America's fairly obvious anti-Islamic bias.

I think a good play would be to open diplomatic relations; once we get inside, then we can begin influencing them toward more moderate behavior. But if we treat them cavalierly, their anti-US sentiment will only get worse.
posted by UncleFes at 9:42 AM on July 31, 2001

Most of the countries that America gives aid to violates human rights.

In fact if you research al the top countires we give aid to... they are all human rights violators.

And the US giving aid to countries which violate human rights is illegal under US law.

"In the Western Hemisphere, the leading recipient of military aid though the early 1990s has been Colombia, which also has the worst human rights record" - Chomsky

So, giving aid to human-rights-violating countries is not only illegal, its also nothing new to the US.
posted by Satapher at 10:41 AM on July 31, 2001

Everybody's a human rights violator!!. Kind of dilutes it's effectiveness, doesn't it?
posted by fooljay at 11:47 AM on July 31, 2001

I think a good play would be to open diplomatic relations; once we get inside, then we can begin influencing them toward more moderate behavior.

<sarcasm>That's true. After all, we've been remarkably successful with China, Colombia and a smattering of nations across the African sub-continent.</sarcasm>

Most of the countries that America gives aid to violates human rights.

This isn't about aid, this is about having an open diplomatic channel. It's the Afghanis, btw, who are describing this as a desire for "friendly relations."

Meanwhile, they harbour a terrorist who is wanted for the deaths of hundreds of Americans and offer no hope of extradition any time soon, instead wanting to "talk out a solution."

So I ask again -- considering that fully half of their citizenry is denied basic human rights, including access to education, basic medical care or employment, considering that this government is illegally importing weapons in order to wage a war against its own citizens, considering that they are harbouring a defiant fugitive from our justice system, what on earth can the US gain by opening diplomatic ties with this regime -- and would it lend them a completely undeserving air of legitimacy?
posted by Dreama at 12:30 PM on July 31, 2001

Of course the citizens of the US should be friends with the Taliban. They've already got our 40 million for this year and I think they should start the friendship negotiations with a couple of our friendlier organizations, NOW and the ACLU.
If they do well there we could perhaps invite them to be baptized in one of our very open and friendly Southern Baptist churches! :)
posted by nofundy at 12:34 PM on July 31, 2001

That's true. After all, we've been remarkably successful with China, Colombia and a smattering of nations across the African sub-continent.

Hey, I was just saying what I thought we *should* do :)

I make no claims as to previous successes. Politicians are, by and large, fuckups. They'd almost certainly fail, but shouldn't we at least advocate trying?
posted by UncleFes at 12:54 PM on July 31, 2001

Let's hope the State Department appoints a fair few women on the consular staff.
posted by holgate at 12:56 PM on July 31, 2001

I don't see why they would want to open diplomatic relations. After all, the Taliban doesn't impose their beliefs on people of other religions (specifically not on Hindus), and the same can't be said for the U.S.A.
posted by Ptrin at 3:19 PM on July 31, 2001

Yes, I think the Americans should open up to the outside world. It'll do the regime there a lot of good and hopefully moderate their fundamentalist tendencies.
posted by lagado at 7:20 PM on July 31, 2001

You know, I knew when I made the statement that I was opening up the door for more pointless US bashing, and I went and did it anyway. Teaches me to try and be amusing.
posted by Ezrael at 8:33 PM on July 31, 2001

I found that RAWA offers interesting insight on what it is like over there for some 50% (probably less, though) of the population. (short overview here)
posted by Tara at 4:07 AM on August 1, 2001