In light of the current withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan, the immediate collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government, and the swift ascendance of the Taliban, we are republishing the remarks given by the Afghanistan delegation at the Asian-African Conference in Bandung, Indonesia in 1955. These remarks capture the essence of what is at stake in Afghanistan: the fundamental right to self-determination for the darker races of humanity, and the protracted struggle for World Peace. Many in the West, misled by a corrupt ruling class and propagandistic media, are prevented from grasping these basic principles. However, Afghanistan’s participation in the Bandung conference compels us to recognize that the Afghan people today, having clearly chosen the Taliban over the American puppet regime, are exercising their sacred right of self-determination – a right which the U.S. and its NATO allies have violated through 20 years of war and earlier campaigns of covert subversion. Bandung also forecasts a possible future for Afghanistan as a player in the epoch-defining rise of Asia, which is positioned to join hands with Africa and peoples around the world in pursuit of common uplift under the banner of peace and cooperation.
I should like, first of all, to express my government’s great pleasure in being able to participate in this assembly, and to pay tribute to all those who have endeavoured to make this Conference a living reality.
Although my country had no part in the preparatory stages of this Conference, we have nevertheless followed the development of the idea with great interest.
One of the fundamental reasons for the interest we always take in international conferences such as this, is our firm belief in the benefits which accrue from international co-operation and understanding.
The basis of this belief rests primarily on the urgent need for close relations between nations and peoples of the world.
To meet this need we depend to a great extent on the establishment of closer co-operation between nations facing identical problems, possessing similar standards of living and sharing a common outlook, as well as a more sincere approach to the problems which confront us.
It is evident that great benefits can be derived from such gatherings, where the exchange of views helps to overcome, to a certain extent, the difficulties with which we are faced. It is my Government’s fervent hope, therefore, that the Asian-African Conference shall succeed in realizing our aspirations.
As this Conference conforms with the Charter and the established principles of the United Nations, we hope that the beneficial results of this Conference shall not be confined only to the nations assembled here but to humanity as a whole.
The understanding we seek in this Conference is in accordance with the spirit, emerged from a new policy in the international life of nations, which we consider the progeny of our time.
The birth of the United Nations has heralded a new era in which the indisputable rights of peoples and nations are not only understood, but the safeguarding of the rights of those, whose legitimate claims are in keeping with the principles of Liberty, Equality and Peace has become the moral obligation of international assemblies.
Afghanistan has always honoured these principles and her policy has never lost sight of the faithful and unfailing observance of her international undertakings and obligations.
My Government believes that the only cure for the ills and dangers which threaten the world today, lies in putting more emphasis on the strengthening and consolidation of existing ties, as well as establishing new ones, and the desire for closer collaboration and fuller international entente. I wish to state that the views of any nation with similar ideals shall win the respect and support of the Afghan People and the Government of Afghanistan.
We are happy to acknowledge that from the beginning it has been made clear by the sponsors of this Conference that the purpose of the Asian-African Conference is in no way to create a new bloc. As far as the countries represented here are concerned, this is clearly understood. To the rest of the world, it can be made clear only by assuring everyone, everywhere, of our unselfish outlook and independent judgement in the cause of International Justice and International Peace.
Highly spoken words can only prolong our anxieties with false hopes. It is high time for us, who need peace and want peace more than anything else, to set an example. We can do this only by showing the peoples of the world that our sincerity cannot be questioned and that our words are even better expressed and understood by our deeds.
The problems facing us here are those of the Asian and African countries, and those of individual countries in these two continents. To us no one is second in importance to another.
The practical solution of the Asian-African problems depends on the elimination of the difficulties which arise from existing differences and the disputes that divide us. We deem it essential to state, and state it frankly, that as long as these differences are not settled amongst us we cannot rightly cherish the hope for the trust which we need in living with each other.
The contribution we have in mind to make to the promotion of world peace and co-operation will remain an unrealized dream if we continue to neglect the essentiality of finding effective ways and peaceful means to enable us to settle our differences. In fact it is the solution of these problems amongst us that we can consider as the first step in the direction of peace in its worldwide sense.
To consider social, economic and cultural problems and relations of the countries represented; to consider problems of special interest to Asian and African peoples; to view the position of Asia and Africa and to think of making contribution to the promotion of the World Peace and co-operation, are questions that can never be answered, and problems that can never be solved, except by being quite frank with one another … a frankness which should express the sincerity of our genuine willingness and desire to assist in the peaceful settlement of World Problems. I say “World Problems” because we cannot ignore the fact that whatever happens anywhere in the world is bound to affect us wherever we may be.
To explain the meaning of this I do not have to give examples as all of us are quite well acquainted with this aspect of the situation.
To summarize our views I can hardly find better words than those which express the purpose of this Conference, namely: “To promote goodwill and co-operation among nations of Asia and Africa; to explore and advance their mutual as well as common interests and to establish and further friendliness and neighbourly relations”.
As far as I can see, this purpose might rightly seem to have already been served to a great extent by the expression, on part of the nations represented here, of the willingness to attend this Conference. But in fact this Conference puts before us new responsibilities and probably more problems which have been waiting to make themselves appear only on occasion of our readiness to cope with them.
In consideration of problems of special interest to the Asian and African peoples the one that should appear first on the list is the so-called colonialism.
The history of the Afghan people since the advent of this evil in Asia is the history of wars, and nothing but wars, against this threatening calamity, the worst of all calamities that Man has ever deemed to bring upon his fellow-men. Against this evil our stand has been firm enough to remain unchanged forever.
There has been much talk recently that the days of colonialism are over; that since certain countries have become independent the position has changed. There is no doubt that many changes have taken place in certain parts of the world, but there are still many millions of people who suffer under the yoke of alien domination in one way or another.
Most of the countries represented here have suffered from alien domination and are well acquainted with the circumstances which either directly or indirectly have affected all of them.
Devoted as we are to the great cause of “Liberty and Equality For All”, we should bear in mind that it would be tragic and ridiculous for countries which have attained their own hard-won freedom and have suffered privations and hardships, to think of dominating others or, in their own turn, to deprive others of their liberty.
Our conception of independence is not different in any respect from our conception of the observance of fundamental human rights, especially the right of peoples and nations to self-determination.
Wherever we have had an opportunity to raise our voice for the right of peoples and nations to independence and self-determination, we have raised it in this sense.
We would like to call the “struggle against colonialism” a “fight for independence and freedom” and only then be sure that we have directed our efforts towards a noble task in a worthy manner. It is only in this way that we can honestly face those who do not see eye to eye with us and can expect the might of rightness to strengthen our position.
The countries participant in this Conference, representing a very considerable group of humanity, must apply their influence collectively to preserve the spirit of the United Nations Charter and act unanimously in condemning weapons of mass destruction.
Since collective peace can only be achieved by collective effort, we need, and we must invite, the co-operation of all and every country in the world. We must attract the attention of powers engaged in the atomic race that in terms of human welfare they better concentrate on the development of nuclear forces for peaceful and constructive purposes only.
If we fail to give a strong impression of our deep concern, one of the most important aims of this Conference will remain unachieved and the threat to World Peace unabated.
There has been much talk about co-existence lately. Our consideration of this idea which has become a prominent topic in international affairs should be as realistic as possible.
As long as the powers do not believe that the policy of imposing or defending a certain ideology, political, social or economic, by means of force and coercion should change in favour of a peaceful and trusting way of life between peoples and nations of the World, any attempt for a practical solution of the existing problems remains a wishful thought.
A practical and peaceful settlement of existing differences depends on the abolition of all barriers, between peoples and nations, that would hinder their desire for closer relationships and better understanding.
I represent a country with many problems, where the burden of the task is lessened to a certain extent by an earnest desire to succeed in reducing, if not actually eliminating, the problems surrounding us. These problems can be observed in all walks of life, and in order to cope with them objectively and in a practical manner, the country has for a long time endeavored to prepare itself and at the same time take certain necessary measures.
While we are ready to face these problems, we realise too well the importance and value of international collaboration. It is therefore with all sincerity that we wish to extend our full co-operation and in return invite the co-operation of our friends with a view to help one another where and when we can do so.
Afghanistan belongs to a relatively underdeveloped part of the world. Our main concern is the economic development of the country. Thus the basic problems to be faced are economic in nature, on the solution of which depends the promotion of the country in other walks of life.
As regards the opening of a new era of co-operation and mutual assistance among the countries of Asia and Africa, Afghanistan feels this urgent need and considers it a pressing necessity. We, however, wish to point out the fact that no preliminary studies are available on that subject.
The age of colonialism in Asia and Africa has left its mark in the economic and industrial development of the regions. The policy of the Occupying Powers has been, as a general rule, based upon exploitation of raw materials from their dependencies to expand their industry, centralized in the mother-country, and to assure a market for their finished products in the colonies; to find work and livelihood for the people at home and to make enormous commercial gains from the sale of their products in the colonies.
By centralizing their industries in their home countries, the Imperial Powers have not only assured their own economic supremacy but have also preserved a material superiority in arms, which, rendering the power to rule in their hands, guaranteed the continuity of their domination in Asia and Africa.
As a consequence the countries of Asia and Africa remained in different stages of under-development and, generally speaking, their economic policies tend to depend on trading with the highly industrialized countries to obtain modern implements of agriculture, at present the economic mainstay of most of them, and to import machinery for the establishment of industries in their countries.
We cannot help reminding ourselves of the fact that in the prevailing atmosphere of colonialism, even countries which in their fight for their political independence succeeded to preserve or to win back their freedom from alien domination have suffered from lasting economic difficulties. Afghanistan as a land-locked country is an example of such an almost permanent economic privation.
And thus a condition has been imposed that countries which are more or less producers of raw materials are confronted with obstacles in the way of promoting commercial relations and trade between themselves.
The consideration of these problems, we hold, is a task which should be undertaken — and it can be undertaken only by those who sincerely believe in peace and freedom for all, and seek an effective solution of social and economic problems.
It might rightly seem that such studies would require more time than the Conference can spare here and now, but it is clear that if a Commission of Experts is set up to carry on this task, although their findings will not be available during this Conference, their studies would provide a tangible basis for the development of the idea of economic cooperation among the Asian-African countries.
In consideration of the economic problems of the under-developed countries, among steps to be taken in this direction particular attention should be paid to the necessity of closer cooperation among the Asian-African States, members of the United Nations, in the economic field as planned and undertaken by the United Nations Organisation.
Consideration of clear cultural relations between the countries of Asia and Africa is a natural desire, which I wish to express at this stage on behalf of the Afghan Delegation.
The practical steps which should be taken in this field, I hope, shall certainly be met with agreement of all the countries represented here, There have already existed such ties between the Asian-African countries, but a keen interest to study the possibilities of furthering the existing cultural relations by this gathering will lead to the fulfilment of one of the most important purposes of the Asian-African Conference.
Admirable worth has already been achieved by the United Nations in this field, particularly by the United Nations Social, Economic and Cultural organisation. We hope that the efforts of the Asian-African countries and their closer cooperation in this direction will prove more fruitful.
In conclusion may I reiterate once again my own hope and that of my Government for a better understanding and a closer cooperation between the countries represented here. We shall do all that we can reasonably do to make this Conference a success with tangible results for the well-being and progress of the peoples of Asia and Africa. I take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Sponsoring Governments for the realization of this Conference, and to the Government of Indonesia for their hospitality to convene this Conference in their beautiful land.
Source: Asia-Africa Speaks from Bandung (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Indonesia)
Avant-Garde: A Journal of Peace, Democracy, and Science 
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