Sylvia's Journal

I am watching Hillary and Karzai on my TV screen. Our cable for English language channels defective and so I watch the local news, with both leaders speaking in dubbed Dari. Not having any linguistic cues I watch their body language; I see tension and much nervous laughter. I am sure that many people here are watching every move of Karzai, especially his ennemies and those whom he owes a debt. There may indeed be much cause for nervous laughter.

Karzai speaks about fruitful talks between his ministers and their American counterparts; that much I get. I wonder how our (health) minister is faring and whether her message is getting through (and what message for that matter).

We hope that everyone will ask the Afghan delegation ‘what about the women?’ With all the talk about the Taliban integrating into the government (mostly men talking to other men), people don’t seem to realize the panic that this creates here among women.

After Hillary and Obama and Karzai at various events, some live, we watched what we believe is a ‘strategic communication’ piece from and about the Afghan army. Axel notices that the footage has no foreigners in it: Afghans training Afghans. This is the new mantra – no foreigners. We are wondering how Karzai walks this fine line in Washington: we want your money but not your strings, or people.

Today was both my first day at work and my last day. This made it a very long day. The presentation I have to give on Monday in Washington was incomplete and had not been mine until today. The planned rehearsal via video today became a presentation of my own version, also still incomplete, to be fixed tomorrow, after my Dari lessons.