Afghans' aid packages stolen for trade -- WAR/TERRORISM NEWS ARCHIVE

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Subject: Afghans' aid packages stolen for trade

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Date Posted: 15:36:25 12/03/01 Mon

Afghans' aid packages stolen for trade
Last Updated: Sun Nov 11 19:26:38 2001
http://cbc.ca/cgi-bin/view?/news/2001/11/11/aid_afghan011111

SAKSAKOL, AFGHANISTAN - Afghans scrambling to pick up aid packages dropped from U.S. planes say Northern Alliance supporters are stealing from them, and selling the goods for a profit.

Although fighting has intensified in the region, people are still venturing out to find supplies.

CBC reporter Don Murray talked to people who roamed the desert plain for at least four hours to find the location of a U.S. airdrop, which was several kilometres from their villages.

Some found only pieces of cardboard, or a few small sacks of wheat. One lucky boy found a box with 10 days of rations.

But Northern Alliance military men with cars and guns got there first, and took most of the riches, the villagers said.

"When we came they pushed us and threatened us," said one woman. "If the Americans really want to help the poor people here they shouldn't drop everything from the sky. They must give it to us directly."

Even with U.S. planes bombing northern Afghanistan, the illegal trafficking of goods continues, past collapsing Taliban frontlines.

The goods are slipped through the frontlines with the help of hefty bribes to the military on both sides. The supplies end up in towns that have been economically blockaded by the Taliban for months.

Written by CBC News Online staff

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