Obama win hailed by US Afghan aid workers

BBC November 6

By Aunohita Mojumdar in Kabul



There has been a warm welcome among aid workers in the Afghan capital, Kabul, over the election of Barack Obama as US president.

The last seven years of Western-led reconstruction in Afghanistan have been determined by policies emanating from George W Bush's Republican administration - and aid workers in Afghanistan are predominantly Democrats.

In contrast, senior US embassy staffers are often political appointees and the US army has a large proportion of Republican supporters.

Aid workers, including many senior staff working in the US government's aid agency, USAID, have often expressed extreme frustration with the approach of the White House, especially during President's Bush's second term.

'Respect'

The Obama victory saw many in this community express hope that "change", the watchword of the Democratic campaign, would go beyond the polling booth and transform the direction of policies in Afghanistan.

But many aid workers also argue that changes in the White House will not automatically make much difference. They point out that there are not yet enough details of the president-elect's policies.


Even so, many see Barack Obama's triumph an opportunity that will be enhanced greatly by his openness towards dialogue and the respect he is held within the international community.

"The US interest in Afghanistan had fallen apart after Iraq," said Kevin Gash, a development worker, who felt that the country was now a high priority for the new administration.

"We need dialogue between the two governments [Afghanistan and the US] and a long term commitment, though it will take a while to see the difference on the ground."

Mr Gash, who has eight years of experience working in the US Congress, also emphasised the need for the US to negotiate with allies in the region including Pakistan, India and Iran.

He and other aid workers see Mr Obama's willingness to engage in dialogue with governments previously seen as hostile to the US as a major asset.

The election of Mr Obama will, they hope, signal a change within the US.


"We have been able to show a more tolerant and open side to America," he said.

'Strategic significance'

Aid workers argue that Mr Obama's victory will also go a long way towards reducing animosity towards America by securing solidarity from other countries.

Eric Bartz, another aid worker, stressed that while increased attention on Afghanistan is helpful, the way this is done is what really matters. He argues that more consultation with the Afghan government is required, so that the people of the country believe that there is a common agenda for both countries.

Susan Marx, a compatriot, felt Mr Obama had already shown understanding of the complexities of the region. What was needed was someone who could grapple with the strategic significance of Afghanistan, she argued, and not someone who approached it from an ideological standpoint.

"Obama gets it," she said.


Ms Marx recently acquired US citizenship through marriage and was the lynchpin for Democrats Abroad in Afghanistan.

She said that she was surprised by the show of support her events drew.

"The first time we expected 25 people to show up but we got 90 instead."

The same desire to get involved in the polling process seen in the US was also evident among aid workers in Afghanistan, despite the logistical difficulties.

Postal ballots could not be received in Kabul, a city where years of bombing have meant that streets remain unnamed and houses are unnumbered.

Eventually the ballots were downloaded and mailed with the help of the US embassy.

Many aid workers have been in Afghanistan for several years. While they are cautious about the future of Afghanistan, they are uninhibited about the significance they see in Mr Obama's win.

Vitelli said that she felt that America had lost its morale and soul over the last few years, but the results proved "that we can be the change".

There is now a real sense among aid workers that their period of alienation under the Bush administration, especially in the post-9/11 period, is coming to an end.

"I had a hard time identifying with America," said one. "Every time I went back I would be frustrated with its policies and way of life. I tended to escape it by leaving. For once I feel it would be exciting to go back and get involved. There is a chance that things could be a little different."