September 20132013 NewsletterNewsletter

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Bamiyan Wall Paintings

Inside caves in Bami- yan caves wall paint- ings done in oil from around 7 th centuries can be seen. The paintings depict Buddhas in red robes sitting cross-legged . National Football Team wins South Asian Football Federation These treasures are Championship, H.E. President Karzai, H.E. Minister Rassoul among the world’s oldest surviving oil offer congratulations paintings. H. E. President was joined title with an impressive 2-0 win over the by a number of senior government offi- two-time defending champions, India. cials, prominently including H.E. Dr. Zal- mai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The championship came after qualifying and parliament members at Interna- games. In the opening match, Afghani- Inside this issue: tional Airport to welcome home the na- stan came from behind to defeat Sir tional football team after a historic victory Lanka 3-1. In the second game, Af- in the South Asian Football Federation’s ghanistan was victorious over Bhutan’s News 1-4 Championship (SAFF). H.E. the President national team with a score of 3-0. While received and congratulated every member unable to overcome the Maldives in the Ambassador’s 2 of the team on their arrival and wished first round, the Afghan team’s strong message them continued success. performance in the other games allowed for qualification into the semi-finals, Recipe 5 for the first time won the where Afghanistan defeated the host South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) (Continued on page 2)

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lenges remain in the current goal of a 2020 achievement, H.E. noted that certain goals had been met as early as 2010, and that others, such as the un- der 5 mortality rate, “are well on track towards their targets.” H.E. also cited other improvements such as that “the GDP per capita has quadrupled from US$174 in 2002 to US$624.”

H.E. the Minister concluded his re- marks inspirationally. “Our responsi- bility, as human beings, is to perse- vere in our quest to improve the lives of our people. I am convinced that, with commitment, unity and focus, we will timely achieve the Millen- nium Development Goals while we nation, Nepal 1-0, to advance to the H.E. Minister Rassoul shares of are moving towards Sustainable De- finals. progress on MDGs velopment Goals post 2015.”

After winning the SAFF, the Na- H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister tional Football Team rose 7 places to of Foreign Affairs, addressed in Ambassador Fatimie visits Fu- 132nd in the FIFA world rankings New York on September 25th in- kuoka, attends award ceremony and 2 places to 19th in Asia. ternational delegates, speaking on Afghanistan’s progress in achiev- Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin ing the Millennium Development Fatimie made an official visit to Fu- Goals. While stating that chal- (Continued on page 3)

Message from the Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie

Dear friends,

This past month has been an extremely significant one in Afghanistan’s history. In this month, we remember the lives and contributions of key figures who were martyred, losing themselves in the cause to bring better lives to our people and as an extension to the people of the world. This month marks the anniversaries of the losses of H.E. Former President Burhanuddin, Commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, and other heroes. Our national martyr week remembers them.

This month therefore pays adequate attention to our past, but this year it has also been a month that re- flects our future. This is embodied in the PEACE program scholarship program graduates, Afghan offi- cials sponsored for higher education at Japanese universities. Several graduated this month and we send them with encouragement back to Af- ghanistan to work towards even more progress. In terms of Afghan- Japanese relations, I also realized on my visit to Fukuoka that our relations with the area are also on the verge of even greater developments. I owe great thanks to Hon. Mayor Soichiro Takashima, Hon. Vice-Governor Etsuko Ebii, and to all of you, our dear readers.

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Newsletter, September 2013 kuoka prefecture on September 11 th and in refuge in . Follow- Education spreading further and 12 th . Ambassador Dr. Fatimie ing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. firstly was extended an extremely Fatimie and Their Imperial High- On the occasion of International warm welcome from Hon. Vice- nesses both attended the ceremony Literacy Day, a new community- Governor Etsuko Ebii (pictured be- to award the Fukuoka Prize. Am- based project to further improve low) at Her office, with the Afghan bassador Dr. Fatimie was given the women’s and girl’s literacy was flag flying outside. He was then re- opportunity to deliver a toast in launched, with the support of ceived very cordially by Hon. Mayor honor of all recipients after. USAID. Some 840 women will Soichiro Takashima (pictured bot- receive literacy classes. tom) of Fukuoka city. To both, the Ambassador expressed deepest grati- Health of Citizens Continues to 40 community libraries being set tude, on behalf of the people and be Prioritized up by Afghanistan Reads, a two- Government of the Islamic Republic year project that aims to improve of Afghanistan, for the enlightened the educational status of women and impact-generating support that H.E. President Hamid Karzai was and girls in Mazar-I-Sharif, Japan, and within this Fukuoka, has congratulated by Dr. Wenger, Di- Badakhshan, Kapisa, Bamiyan and provided to socio-economic areas and rector of Eradication Program Ghazni, Panjsheer and Kabul prov- to the peace process. of Bill & Melinda Gates Founda- inces. More than 20,000 people are tion, on the remarkable decrease in expected to use the libraries. polio cases. President Karzai reas- sured that Afghanistan would go A new 8-classroom building for for anti-polio operations across the Sayad Rajab girls’ high school in country and would instruct all gov- Maimana, Faryab province, built ernors to provide cooperation, with with the cooperation of Norway, the support from the foundation. was inaugurated on September 7th. The school is equipped with such th On September 7 , a 30-bed hospital facilities as a library. Currently 700 was opened in the Nadershahkot students attend lessons at the district of Khost province. The hos- school. pital is ready to serve a number of On the following day, the Ambassa- ailments, thus further easing the Another new 8-classroom building dor had the great pleasure of attend- access to care for local residents. was inaugurated for Shaikhan mid- ing a gathering with Their Imperial Meanwhile, a gastroenterological dle school in Asadabad, Kunar Highnesses Prince and Princess Aki- diagnostic center equipped with province early this month. The shino. The gathering was held in modern facilities including ultra- building will serve 400 students. commemoration of the awarding of sound and endoscope machines was the Fukuoka Prize. This year, the top inaugurated in Wazir Akbar Khan A teacher training center began award of the Fukuoka Prize was Hospital in Kabul on September operation this month in the Chal rd awarded to Dr. Tetsu Nakamura (seen 3 . Public Health Minister H.E. Dr. district of Takhar province. The in the top photo to the side) of Pesha- Suraya Dalil said the center, which center serves 80 teachers. war-kai. Dr. Nakamura has been ac- was supported by Slovakian gov- tive in assisting vulnerable Afghan ernment, would provide free treat- Sardar-e-Kabuli Girls High School populations both within Afghanistan ment for patients. was officially handed over to H.E. the Minister of Education, provid- Kabul’s first ever international ing 6,000 girls with a bright, clean, health exhibition was opened ear- and safe learning environment. The lier this month at the Sitara Hotel. opening ceremony, attended by The aim of the 3-day exhibition H.E. the Minister of Education and was to improve health sector con- USAID officials, celebrated the nections and related economic ties completion of the USAID- with regional nations. 50 regional supported project. companies put their medical prod- ucts on display. The new multi-story building in- cludes 53 classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices and a li- brary. Other improvements brought

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power, water and sanitation to the ported to a number of nations, most Deputy trade and commerce min- school. The construction began in notably India, Pakistan, and Tajiki- ister H. E. Muzamil Shinwari af- 2009, with the first students report- stan. With plans to set up cold storage firmed that the government will ing for classes in August 2012 upon facilities, the ability to send grapes make sure that only top quality completion of the main school domestically and internationally will products will be exported to re- building. continue to increase. gional and global markets with the trade mark of the country. Wheat production has more than dou- The quality of national products Better Access to Electricity for bled in Baghdis compared to last have a good reputation in regional more people year. This year, 96,000 metric tons markets and from now on these were harvested, compared to 38,000 products will be exported with a The Afghanistan Ministry of Energy tons last year. standard trade logo. and Water (MoEW) on Sunday signed a contract to transfer 20KW Saffron increased in popularity over electricity from Mazar-e-Sharif to the past year, with cultivation taking Safi Airways Increases Capac- Marmul and Khulm districts in place in 26 provinces from 20 last ity to Meet Growing Demand northern Balkh province within 15 year. Herat in particular is reported to months with an Indian company, be having great success with the Afghan private airline Safi Air- Gammon India. The contract will product. “More than 4,000 kg of Saf- ways is expanding its capacity. In soon be operational with investment fron was exported to foreign coun- order to serve increasing transit support from the German govern- tries last year, with each kilogram demand to and from Afghanistan, ment. Over 7,000 families of Mar- selling for between $5,000-$6,000,” the company is renting two Air- mul and Khulm are expected to according to Tolo News. bus A-319s. These planes will benefit from the project. service to Dubai. Positive growth in the agricultural Meanwhile, provision of energy for sector is likely to continue. Helmand Afghanistan’s air service is in- nomads was started on September 7 province, which enjoys 40% of the creasing rapidly. Currently the with the distribution of 82 solar pan- nation’s water resources, has started a nation has 40 airports, of which els in Charasyab district of Kabul large 3-month agricultural project. four are international. province. The wide ranging project includes such facets as distributing saffron and other seeds, fertilizer, livestock Bronze medals attained at Increased Yields, Trade in equipment and housing facilities. 550 Taekwondo event in Poland Agricultural Goods gardening plots will also be portioned out to reintegrated militants. Fruit and vegetable exports in the first quarter of the year increased by more than 10% compared to the New export logo unveiled same period in 2012, according to the Export Promotion Agency of Afghanistan (EPAA). The increase is both as a result of better yields and growing popularity of Afghan products around the world. A Taekwondo tournament was held in Warsaw, Poland from Au- Kabul, the top exporting province, gust 31st to September 2nd. Ath- sent abroad such items as apricots, letes from 36 nations competed. grapes, and apples. Northern and From the 5-person Afghan team, central provinces, which also do two stars, Ahmad Nawid Zahir well, export such items as melons, A formal trade and exports standards and Fraidoon, earned bronze pistachios, and pomegranates. logo (Afghanistan Amazingly Real), medals. in a bid to introduce national pro- Kunduz province saw a 70% in- duced goods and products to global crease in grape production in the market, and prevent forgery in re- past year, from 1,400 kilograms to gional and international markets. 2,170 kilograms. Grapes are ex-

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Newsletter, September 2013

Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo Contact Us 2-2-1 Azabudai, If you have any comments, questions or Minato ward, Tokyo, 106-0041 suggestions regarding this newsletter or the Embassy, please send an e-mail to Tel: 03-5574-7611 / Fax: 03-5574-0195 the embassy’s Public Affairs Officer, Jason Pratt: Website www.afghanembassyjp.org [email protected]

Dining With the Diplomats Afghan Recipe of the Month

Kabuli Pulao

Kabuli Pulao is a simply delicious dish made from Afghani Rice, meat, raisins and carrots. It is a healthy and can be served any seasons of the year.

Ingredients (5 Servings) • Lamb or Beef – 2½ lbs, large pieces • Beef/Lamb broth – 1 cup • Basmati rice – 2½ cups • Onion – 1 large, diced • Garam Masala (spice blend) – 1 tsp • Saffron – ½ tsp • Cumin powder – ½ tbsp • Salt – 1 tsp • Brown sugar – 1 tsp, optional • Carrots – 2, julienned (sliced) thin vertical slices • Yellow raisins – 1 cup • Almonds – ½ cup, blanched • Pistachios – ½ cup, blanched • Cooking oil – ½ cup • Water – 2 cups

Preparation (45 minutes)

Heat half of the oil in a heavy large skillet and fry onions until golden brown. Add meat pieces to the fried onion and cook until light brown on both sides. Add salt, garam masala and saffron and fry the meat until the oil separates and rises to the top. Add water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered until meat is tender. In a separate pan, sauté carrots and raisins in a small quantity of oil, add sugar and fry until softened. Next fry the almonds and pistachios to a golden brown and set aside. When meat is cooked, remove it from the remaining water/stock with a slotted spoon and set aside. Add rice and salt to the stock, add broth and cook until the liquid comes to a boil. Lower the heat and cook covered until rice is done and dry (about 15-20 minutes). When ready to serve, transfer the rice to an oven-safe serving plate, top with meat in the center surrounded by car- rots on all sides, sprinkle with raisins and nuts and heat in the the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes.

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