The right reporter in the right time wit the right people in the right country and the right reports
Excellent

It strikes me as odd that America, a country that was founded on a gamble and risk-taking, hasn't been able to back a winner in 60 years, even when presented with the right choice. Fidel Castro begged the United States for help in the '50s against Batista and was rejected time and again, until forced to go to Russia for aid. Then America was outraged. Same deal in Vietnam with Ho Chi Minh. Then we go completely off track with Cambodia and Pol Pot, the Shah in Iran, Hussein in Iraq and now Afghanistan. It's as if we would rather fight than be friends and frankly, there's more long-term profit in being friends than enemies.

If there is a trend emerging here, it is that power and short-term profit are the only two guiding principles of modern western society, even if it means supporting regimes that are killing your own children who are there to prop them up.

A nation under God indeed!

Hello, Thank you so much for this Video.
I wish you all the best.

Once again I send you many thanks for the wonderful contribution, and may you keep on having guts to speak out the truth; I’m looking forward to watching more products of you related to the war torn Afghanistan.

Someday we will all realize that our race ... the human race all bleed the same colour.

It will take a long time but I know that with your determination and the grass roots movements that is needed to open up the eyes of the people in power, there will be a positive light at the end of the rainbow.

Thank you again.

A really interesting story is the one that hasn't been able to be told, and that is Pakistan. Everywhere you look in the Afghan pie, there is Pakistan's finger, messing it up and making it unpalatable for everyone. Musharref is playing the mouse that is keeping the Islamic fundamentalist elephant from trampling the western lion and we keep falling for it rather than feeding the elephant.

Thanks for your messages, everyone. Please follow closely today for news about President Karzai's Attorney General, his links to Canada, and why changes are underway in Kabul - as featured in our series of film reports on AFGHAN HEROIN, which you'll find elsewhere on this site.

I decided to start at the beginning. I watched Afghan Heroin Part one so far. Excellent work. Helped to answer some of my questions. I know I am preaching to the converted but this should be on MSM (Main Stream Media)Cheers again.

Dear Mr Arthur Kent

Thank you very much for your excellent report about Afghanistan and Commander Massoud.
I think yur job for afghanistan is very very usefull specially for canadian who are note correctly informed about Afghanistan. We need more and more your expertise and experience about Afghanistan
Thank you again
Regards
Raz Mohammad Sarshar

hmmm Would be nice to see mention Masood's role in the massacre of hazaras in kabul, and also when talking of corruption,warlords and fat cats, one does wonder, why is it that no mention of masood's friends and family members, such as, fahim and his private army , atta of mazar,are left out.

Thank you OFUC and Sarshar. And Zargai, I appreciate your contribution, but I was there, too. Massoud lamented loss of life in all communities. But who precipitated the fighting in the civil war? Hekmatyar and Pakistan's ISI were the biggest culprits. No responsible leader would have handed Kabul over to Hekmatyar - though I note that some of President Karzai's ministers appear committed to doing just that now.

You are one of the few reporters (amogg them the regretted Christophe de Ponfilly) who recognizes that the events of September,2001 truly began on September 9th with the death of our dear Amer Sahib Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Again and again, many thanks to you!

Arthur,
Excellent series.
Do you really think there is any chance that the Bush Administration, or the Harper Government, is likely to exert any serious pressure to clean up the Karzai Government? If not, do you think there is any real chance of 'winning' the war in Afghanistan?

Bill, we've got to admit it's a long shot. The Bush administration, along with the UK's Blair government, has lost what little control they had of events in Kabul. And Canada's Harper is reluctant to step out of Bush's shadow. The only good news is the enduring desire of the Afghan population to outdistance themselves from the Taliban, al Qaeda, Pakistan and their other foreign "friends" to rebuild their country. Look beyond the warlords and you find unity among the Afghans - a unified demand for peace. If our governments can't succeed in Afghanistan, all our worst fears about generations of global conflict will be realized.

Dear Kent.
Your the real expert about Afghaistan.god is always with honest people. Afghanistan people
are with you.

Salaam - and thank you, Muslem.

Hello Arthur. It was refreshing, as well as shockingly sad, to here your take on the Afghan government on CBC's 'the hour'. How do we in Canada get the Harper government to take notice/responsibility of the fact that our soldiers are losing their lives for a figure head government that's probably got more to do with an oil pipeline than human rights? You're doing a great job out there.
Jason Eastwood, Golden, B.C.

Frist class journalism. Thanks for the reports from Afghanistan. Thanks a lot.

And, many thanks to Canadian people for their support for our country.

The names Zargai, like Karzai, Ahmadzai, Barokzai are all Pashton names. The Taliban are all Pashtons. Hekmatyaar is another Pashton. Karzai is another Pashton. Yet Mollah Omar, the taliban leader, is one more Pashton. Who would ever believe that these tribal folks will ever accept Massoud, a Tajik, as a hero, as a liberator, as a freedom fighter, as a kind leader who wouldnt even touch the war prisoners that were responsible for the death of his fellow commrades? Such was Masoud and this is the TRIBAL reaction we get.

These Pashton supremacists have traditionally lambasted, bad mouthed and even glued outright accusations at all other leaders who happened to belong to different ethnic groups.

However, truth triumphs over all machinations, accusations and smear campaigns. It has too. It is just the nature of truth. Massoud transcends Afghanistan. His legacy is inseparably linked with truth, modesty and freedom. Masoud is to the world.

Pashtun or not, we all have a hand in making a mess of Afghanistan. I don't think we'll ever get over these rivalries and differences. We blame the whole world but ourselves. I have never heard an Afghan say, we made a mistake and we should fix it, it's always someone else. It's pretty sad, even more if you are an Afghan.

This is an excellent ‘state-of-the-art’ website, the thumbnails with subtitles make for hassle-free navigation. Thank you having the integrity, courage, and the skill to help provide news and factual information; you manage to unravel and explain stories that have been reprehensively spun and twisted beyond the comprehension and empathetic reach of many of us in the West who can’t get the real news from main-stream-media and big network TV.

I don't mean to single out one community against another. But those who don't know much about Afghanistan, it's people or history here are some facts. My Pashtoon brothers have been the only reason and obsticle for progress and democarcy in Afghansitan. They are the only tribal people in Afghanistan while other ethncities got out of it long ago. When they are muslim they are the most extreme such as Mula Omar, Hekmatyar, Hostad Sayaf, Maulawe Mohamad Nebee etc, when they were communist like Tarakey, Hafizullah Amin, Tanai etc were worst than Soviet communists or when they are westernized they are living and behaving in a manner extrem by western norms and lack of moderation. This makes them very intolarent of other ethnicities in Afghansitan. It wasn' the Pashtoos who were fighting the Taliban and as a matter of fact every single one of them supported them while they were in power. But when the non-Pashtoons did the dirty and bloody job of driving Taliban and their Al-Qaeda and Pakistani brothers out of power, they gracefully handed the power back to Pashtoons (like they deserved it) without any resistance. Even though in the name of Pashtoon they massacared thousands of non-Pashtoos and even destroyed their farms and animals their main and only means of survival. But I think it was about time that the civilized, culutred and peace loving, democratic and open-mineded non-Pashtoons took the political power and will develop Afghanistan fast from tribal mentality. One can compare the south areas of Pashtoon domanited Afghaistan with the west, Kabul, and north domanated by non-Pashtoons which are way more educated, developed and open despite centuries of discrimination, neglegence and opperession at the ends of Pashtoons who were in power. Even after the defeat of Taliban the rest of Afghansitan is developing fast while my Pshtoon countrymen are still fighting yet another jihad and in some cases amongest themselves one tribe against another. I often wonder why is that they allow pakistanis, arabs and others to destroy their country,kill innocent people, invade their villages, yet they don't fight that kind of a jihad. But when the entire international community is helping to rebuild the country, educate their childern, build road, schools and hospitals for them, then they decalar jihad against that. What a mentality. At least they should not impose their values on others as if they r not willing to change for better, therefore others are not willing to change for worst either. By the way I applogizise for any misspelling as I am in a hurry right now.

First of all I would like to thank you so much for this brilliant video, which breaks the hurt of those who are denying the truth (like Karzai, Ahmadzai, Barokzai). As every knows who was the only man who fight for Afghanistan and our dignity, who defeated Soviet and who resist against ISI and it's slaves (Hekmatyar), on top of that the jangle people it mean Taliban, the second generation of the slaves of ISI, who resist and defeated them, again one Man as every one who really afghan or human loves him (Ahmad Shah Massoud). The man who never die in our mind and hurt, some Fascist may try to make him look bad, they should know that it is not gone work it is like wasting your time, so come and accept the fact and reality, or you do not have choice.

After visiting Afghanistan only once and without knowing its full history, I fell in love with the country and its people.
I thank my dear friend Muslem Hayat for forwarding this news page.Watching the videos and reading the letters helped to endorse my reasons for returning to Afghanistan later this year.I will give as much help as I can in the re-building of this once wonderful country.
Continue with you good work and hopefully you will do this for another twenty years

Arthur,

Heartful Thanks for your excellent report and your courage to spell the truth about a TRUE LEGEND, OUR HERO, MASSOUD-e-BOZORG, "The Man Who Won the Cold War".

i wish u be f9 i wana say samething about ahmad sha massoud he was the most powerful man in the world hw was really muslim and he had nice bigground and he is the realty of afghansitan bcoz he fight to freedom Afghanistan

I saw this report and I don’t agree with you Mr Kent. You really simplified everything like Massoud was the leader supported by all Afghans and Taliban came from behind and removed him from power. I hoped that you knew the whole history but I felt sorry the way you narrated it. Taliban were the consequences of that Government which had Ahmed Shah Massoud as defence Minister. The lawlessness and corruption of that government brought Taliban in power. If you check the history Taliban captured most of the Afghanistan without any fight including Kabul. You mentioned Massoud left Kabul to avoid bloodshed? Totally wrong. He lost all his support among Afghans. That’s why he had to flee Kabul. You didn't mention the interference of other countries that were supporting warlords, especially India and Russia.
Gulbaddin Hikmatyar was the man of Pakistan and USA together. You kept mentioning Pakistan but didn’t mention US once, we all know this is American led Jihad and Pakistan was used as base for it. You showed Massoud as the sole accepted leader of Afghans. Sir you failed us here again. You didn't even check the ethnic scenario of that country. Afghanistan has tribal society with Pashtun majority and Massoud belonged to Tajik minority. The first thing is: He was not the Prime Minister or President of that government 2nd he or anyone else who doesn’t belong to the Pashtun majority would have never been accepted by Afghans. He didn't have any kind of support among Pashtuns, instead they were enemies. I see you have heard stories from non Pashtuns about his bravery. I am sure he was a brave man but not accepted by majority of Afghans. Most of the Taliban belonged to the Pashtun background that’s the reason they were successful. They were good or bad I am not concerned with that. what I have seen is that they brought three things. 1) Central Government. Where all the decisions were taken on one level and were implemented successfully. 2) peace and security in the Taliban controlled areas. 3) completely eliminated poppy crop just by one order. And at the same time people were growing poppy in the Northern Alliance “Masoud” areas. I don’t want to waste your time here but I would expect to get some real reporting from you. I am sorry if I offended or disrespected you. But as a Canadian we have to speak the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth. God bless you in your efforts.

Thank you Mr. Kent for caring about a cause that many in the west have forgotten about.

I must say that heros are always judged by the sacrifice they make to society ... to my Afghan brotheren, Masood has left his legacy and nobody can take that away form him ... but lets not forget that Afghanistan has had many other HEROS in its rich history belonging to all ethnic stripes yet were heros to all Afghans alike. I think the one thing that would make our fallen heros proud is for us to draw inspiration from their massive sacrifices and contiue with their objectives of bettering this amazingly unique country and people and dig ouselves out of a deep hole that we have been led to. Lets stop this game of my hero/your hero nonsense.
May we all have the currage to speak the truth, live the truth and tolerate the truth much like Mr. Kent.

Mr Kent,
Masood was a first class war criminal and a racist. His holy war ended in 1983 after he struck a deal with the Soviets to keep Salang Pass open. In return Soviets let him be and actually gave him financial support. This has been confirmed by Ex-KGB and Ex-CIA agents alike. By keeping Salang Tunnel open he let the Pushtuns bear the brunt of Soviet army. Only once incident of the Afshar neighbourhood of Kabul is enough to know what Masood really was. Close to 10,000 ethnic Hazara were murdered. Thousands were raped and beaten. This is confirmed by all international human rights' organizations.

He was an opputinist adicted to Whisky. The only reason he is so famous is because of his relation with deBears, to whom he sold the diamonds of Afghanistan and in return they did PR job for him.

We are exteremely grateful for the reporter for his great job.Ahmad Sha Massoud really did a great job for humanity.The world will never forget his legacy and greatness!

Safa

I strongly appreciated the job which the reporter has been performing!Honestly, Ahmad Sha Massoud (Hero of Afghanistan)did an unforgettable job the we will never forget it.

Sharef

Hello every one
just wanna thank Mr Arthur for his wonderfull reports and documentries . especaily the about the hero of afghanistan Ahmad Sha Masood the great man that we`ill never forget.

once agian thanks Mr Arthur i really appreciated your job and ur help to the people of afghanistan.
your champ thanx mate

Hi Arthur,
What is your opinion on the Loose Change Films, and the theory that 9/11 was pinned on Afghanistan by the US government? We really like your work, and are curious to know what you think.
Film:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7866929448192753501&...

Website:
http://loosechange911.com/

Your documentary about Late Ahmad Shah Masoud is one of the best, I have ever seen about Masoud. Masoud certainly was a great person who loved his country and his people, and had never let Pakistani ISI and military to succeed in Afghanistan. Eventhough, unfortunately he is not among us, but he will be remembered as a hero forever in Afghanistan. Thank you Arthur.

Thank you very much for your excellent report about Lion Of Panjshir Ahmad Shah Masoud Admin http://www.kohsaar.com

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SaLaaM Dear Mr Arthur Kent
Thank you very much for your excellent report about Ahmad Shah Massoud Lion of Panjshir and Afghanistan.
Your the real expert about Ahmad Shah Massoud Lion of Panjshir and Afghaistan.

Thank you Mr Arthur Kent

Shapoor PaNjShIrI from Germany

Dear Arther Kent,

I want to thank you for your great and if I may I would like to shed light on some of the views which are anti Massoud.

As you well know that Hekmatyar launched his criminal bombing of Kabul during 1992-1996 period - he was also busy trying to buy the allegience of the vasious groups that were within Kabul with Masoud but whom were not as astute in their understanding of Pakistan's aims. Hekmatyar succeeded several time in buying over various faction to his side - which then meant that the faction still within Kabul would now fight against Massoud - and obviously Massoud had to respond to that. Hekmatyar and his ISI backing not only launched a massive military campaign against Massoud - but also a propaganda one. In the propaganda - the aim was basically to make Massoud into an anti Pashtoon figure - which was not true to anyone whom knew of the people that were around Massoud from day one - but that is what the ISI thought would serve its purposes and so it propmoted that line. That line also was something in line with those groups within Afghanistan that were racist against non Pushtuns and thought it convenient to jump on this bandwagon - and so they did.

So, please do not be phased by some of the comments that are anti Massoud - I am sure you wont be since you knoew hi better than most of the people talking about him here - just remember that if he did not have powerful enemies - how could he have gained the title of Amir Saib honouable leader - or the lion of Panjsher.

Thankyou for taking the time to read my comment

I approve that he was and is the national champion of Afghansitan ... www.myspace.com/cryofunity

Dear Arthur Kent,
You are one of rare western journalists who understand very well the realities of Afghanistan. I love your videos on Massoud and Afghanistan. I love the way you think and I am happy that finally there is a Canadian journalist who knows the truth and can tell the realities of Afghan Politics to the world.

Thanks you!

Arthur

I do not know how many of the readers of your website are POLISH or can read Polish. There is a first rate book on Afghanistan and Ahmed Shah Massoud by WOJCIECH JAGIELSKI entitled (in Polish) "Modlitwa o Deszcz" (=Praying for Rain). Before I ran across your website this was absolutely the best book that I had read on the Afghan tragedy in any language. The publishing house in Poland is W.A.B. I have no idea whether this book is available in English. Jagielski has also written a very powerful work on Czechnya entitled (in Polish) "Wierze z Kamienia" (=Towers of Stone)that goes a long way to explaining this tragedy as well.

My fellow Pashton brothers/sisters in here!

Accepting Ahmad Shah Massod as the Afghyan Hero does not dis-approve or dis-qualify Pashtuns at all. Instead it will complete our Afghanyat, it will make us people with better understanding and this is the only border to pass to to become a Nationa rather then a tribe. You are not asked to accept Massod in order to respect tajiks, No, think about him as an Afghan, think about afghanistan as a country with only one nationality, or think about him as a pashtoon. Then tell us what you think.

We are talking about the issues of a country, of our country, that needs clever, deep and institutional debate instead of putting a load in one side of a discussion to make it look heavy.

It is true that Hekmatyar was a pashtoon, it is true that Mula Omar was a pshtoon, and it is also obviose that they were the most dengerouse treaties, they were crueal terrorists.
BUT IT IS NEVER TRUE TO SAY THAT PASHTOONS ARE TERRORISTS.

I would like to clear a very imprtant misundersatanding to be noted, see these two sentences.

1-All Talibs (95%) were Pashtoons.
2- Not 5% of Pashtoons were Talibs.

Now mixing this two facts will destroy the country, and this is what some people does to eachother/

When you talk about Ahmad Shah Massod, they think you are automatically a Tajik. (true for alot of cases unfortunately, but Natural)

Now, comming to Hekmatyar, think about me:
I can even LOVE Karzai, sometimes i do, but I hate Hekmatyar as much as I can shoot to his forehead.
Now tell me ,who am I? A Pashtoon? a Tajik?
Not, I am simply an Afghan, who does not care about the political figures ethnicity but about thier personalities.

But, please all note that, Afghanistan is moving forward and there will be no ethnicity fights to this ectent, there will be some but limitted to some people.
And my pashtoon brothers shall learn to think bigger and change thier very basic nature of PASHTONITY, for example see the person posted in here, his name is PAKHTONYAR, it means the lover of Pashtoon and he write is with KH instead of sh,
Have you ever seen such a name like, Tajikyar? despite the fact that the suffix YAR is persion.

Or I see lots of poetry, talking about PASHTOONS and the Pashtonity, that in pashtoo they call it "Pashtoonwali" .
while many other ethnics in Afghanistan consider doing such a thing RUDE agaist the idea os NATION.

anyways, I would love to see some Pashtoon brothers and sisters to express thier heart's vbiew about him. They Mr Karzai Talked about him today in the Kabul Studiom.

He is trying to build a united nation, let us help him.

Mirwais Social
Watandar FM Kabul

Walter, great suggestion. I'm going to try to track that book down (though hopefully in English - I'm only 1/8th Polish, and not the linguistic eighth).

Mirwais, absolutely Massoud saw all Afghans as brothers and sisters. He taught me to say in Pashtun (pardon the spelling): "Ze da Pukhtano kher khoa im." Translation: I am a well-wisher of the Pashtun nation.

Today it's clear which members of the Karzai government are like-minded, and wish to bring the country together, while those who resort to ethnic and religious jealousies make themselves painfully obvious. Isn't it time they said goodbye, and left Afghanistan for the people?

THE TREES DEID ALWAYS STANDING UP
LES ARBRES MEURENT TOUJOURS DEBOUT

The death of martyrs is the seed of faith..........

In death as in life, Massoud inspires his people to fight for freedom even as they seek peace, to battle injustice even as they follow goodness and mercy, to struggle against poverty and oppression even as they celebrate the blessings and joy of life.