The Cool Blue Blog

Honor and Bravery

Afghan Officer Saves Governor, Coalition Soldiers

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dave Thompson                
                Task Force Spartan Public Affairs                                        

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan, Nov. 7, 2006 — If there was any doubt as to the resolve and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces and their determination to protect their homeland from terrorist extremists, an Afghan police officer gave his life to make a strong case to the contrary.

In a display of selfless heroism, Afghan National Police Officer Abbarker died protecting the lives of the Andar District Governor, his fellow police officers and Coalition soldiers.

While guarding the Miri District Center in the District of Ghazni, Abbarker noticed that a man had bypassed the security checkpoint and was attempting to run into the District Center. Abbarker immediately suspected foul play and gave chase to stop the intruder. He tackled the man, forcing him away from the government officials and Coalition forces. As he wrestled to restrain the man and move him farther away from the

official party, the intruder detonated a vest packed with explosives, killing himself and the brave Abbarker.            

Abbarker’s actions cost him his life, but in so doing, he saved the lives of many fellow Afghans as well as Coalition soldiers. Abdul Rhaim, the Andar District Governor, said that Abbarker was a brave soldier and that he had great respect for him and was deeply grateful for the unselfish sacrifice that saved his life and so many others.                  

“The honor and bravery of this man amazes me,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steven Gilbert, Commander of Task Force Iron Grays. ”His actions have saved the lives of many fellow Afghans and Coalition forces from the cowardly actions of a suicide bomber and his great sacrifice will not be in vain.”

Anti-Taliban Rap

You can't count me a fan of Rap music. That's just the way it is. But DJ Besho, whose real name is Bezhan Zafarmal, is a rapper in Afghanistan who has a message I can support

"My message is peace, fight against drugs. People must try to learn something for this country ... It's very, very important," Besho said in an interview at Kabul's Tolo TV station where he was editing his new video.

"The right way for the new generation is to go to school, of course."

He's popular enough in Afghanistan to have to worry about piracy.

Born in the northern Afghan town of Kunduz, he moved to Germany after a rocket attack killed his friend while they were going for ice cream.

"I didn't feel good in Germany ... I had everything but my heart was in Afghanistan. Because the people love me here, they know my feeling, they know my hip-hop because I do it in my own language."

"I think I can do something for my country. It is a big chance."

So he's back in the 'Stan promoting soccer and hip hop

He is being sponsored by Tolo TV, the hippest new television station to appear since the Taliban were ousted in 2001. It broadcasts a mixture of pop videos, entertainment and news.

In Kabul at least, Besho is winning legions of enthusiastic if at times bemused fans.

"Kids love this kind of music he's introduced to our country. But in my opinion, it would be more interesting if he wore our own national dress," said 21-year-old student, Farhad.

"His songs express our national unity and we like the kind of music he makes. He is young and talented and it's very interesting to listen to his songs," said another man, Nasratullah.

He had an appointment to meet his most powerful fan, President Hamid Karzai, but he wound up being late.

"It was really not good. I thought maybe he was waiting for me but no," said Besho, who's a big fan of the president.

"He wants to bring peace and wants to see the new generation, what we say," he said. "We don't want youth to talk about bad times, we want to talk about now."

I'll bet the Taliban hate him.

Boss Lady

First Woman Provincial Governor Named in Afghanistan

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON,

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March 4, 2005

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Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai appointed the country’s first woman governor March 3, coincidentally, during the opening days of Women’s History Month.

Karzai named Habiba Sarobi, former minister of women’s affairs in the transitional government, as governor of the central province of Bamiyan, according to news reports.

The historic appointment is considered a major step forward for the Afghan government, which is promoting more women in positions of power and encouraging wider political participation among women.

That represents a sea change for a nation ruled for six years by the Taliban regime, which severely limited women’s rights until being overthrown by Afghan and coalition forces. Under the Taliban, women were banned from participating in politics, business and all advanced education.

Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz, in an interview earlier this year, cited the widespread participation of women in Afghanistan’s national elections last October as a positive sign of things to come in that country. Of an estimated 8.5 million Afghan voters, about 40 percent were women “who came out and voted even though the Taliban was trying to scare them away,” he said.

During a town hall meeting in Kuwait last December, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld counted the Afghan elections, and the “determination of the women who braved violence and cast their ballots” among the “pivotal moments in history” he said were made possible through the help of America’s men and women in uniform.