10/7 and endless warfare: Rory McCarthy writes about life in
Afghanistan one year after the start of the US bombing campaign.
In Bibi Mahru, he meets Orfa. Her husband and children were killed by a Mk
82 500lb bomb which mistook the family mud and stone hut for a Taliban radar
station.
Orfa was given only £190 in compensation - by Taliban officials.
'Mistakes can be made by anyone but the pilot who has bombed this house
should come here and see how many people died. Maybe he could help us.' Figures for how many Afghans have died as a result of the US campaign
vary. According to the US government, fewer than 400 people died. The US
human rights group, Global Exchange, says at least 812 died. Others put the
number of dead at 2,000 or more.
The amount of explosive dropped on Afghanistan equals half the amount dropped
on London during the Blitz.
The $4.5bn reconstruction plan agreed by the international community amounts to $225 for each Afghan. [Guardian].
In New York, at one of over 25 national rallies organised by the Not In Our Name group to remember
the anniversary, actress Susan Sarandon asked:'Do we the people
really want to be a new Rome that imposes its rule by the use of overwhelming
force whenever its interests are threatened?
'Even perceived potential threats? We do not want endless warfare.'
[BBC].
