Foreign Affairs
Related: About this forumChina interest in Afghanistan could be 'positive', says Blinken
Source: BBC
29 July 2021
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said China's possible involvement in Afghanistan could be "a positive thing".
He said this was if China was looking towards a "peaceful resolution of the conflict" and a "truly representative and inclusive" government.
His comments came after Taliban representatives visited China.
China said it saw the Taliban playing an important role in the peace process and rebuilding of Afghanistan.
"No one has an interest in a military takeover of the country by the Taliban, the restoration of an Islamic emirate," said Mr Blinken, who was asked about the talks while on a visit to India.
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Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58007517
littlemissmartypants
(22,418 posts)All China wants to do is exploit Afghanistan''s mineral wealth, for starters.
The Chinese government has already got its foot in the door at Mes Aynak, location of an ancient copper mine And just happens to be the location of an expansive religious compound dating back to 3300 BC to 1200 BC possibly earlier full of literally GOLD Buddhas and other religious artifacts of precious metals.
Afghanistan's mineral wealth is unmatched the world over. The Chinese would be completely unconcerned about the water supply and preservation of the environment while callously mining whatever they want.
If environmentally responsible contracts were proposed the economically depressed society there would likely be under compensated for all of the valuable resources just because they are naive, easily exploited, ruled by corrupt persons and desperate for some, any kind of economic development.
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Rare Earth: Afghanistan Sits on $1 Trillion in Minerals
Afghanistan may be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world, valued at nearly $1 trillion, scientists say.
https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/rare-earth-afghanistan-sits-1-trillion-minerals-n196861
THE DEBATE | OPINION
Afghanistans Mineral Resources Are a Lost Opportunity and a Threat
Without a coherent strategy, Afghanistans vast mineral resources represent both a lost opportunity and a threat to national security.
By Ahmad Shah Katawazai
February 01, 2020
Afghanistans Mineral Resources Are a Lost Opportunity and a Threat
Credit: Freestock.ca
We are at risk of the curse of plenty, [the] curse of resources.
President Ashraf Ghani
Torn by four decades of war and desperate poverty, Afghanistan is believed to be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world. The value of these resources has been roughly estimated between $1-3 trillion.
Afghanistan has vast reserves of gold, platinum, silver, copper, iron, chromite, lithium, uranium, and aluminium. The countrys high-quality emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise, and lapis lazuli have long charmed the gemstone market. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), through its extensive scientific research of minerals, concluded that Afghanistan may hold 60 million metric tons of copper, 2.2 billion tons of iron ore, 1.4 million tons of rare earth elements (REEs) such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and veins of aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury, and lithium. According to Pentagon officials, their initial analysis at one location in Ghazni province showed the potential for lithium deposits as large as those of Bolivia, which has the worlds largest known lithium reserves. The USGS estimates the Khanneshin deposits in Helmand province will yield 1.1.-1.4 million metric tons of REEs. Some reports estimate Afghanistan REE resources are among the largest on earth.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/afghanistans-mineral-resources-are-a-lost-opportunity-and-a-threat/
Mes Aynak Wikipedia
Mes Aynak (Pashto/Persian: مس عينک, meaning "little source of copper" ) also called Mis Ainak or Mis-e-Ainak, is a site 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Kabul, Afghanistan, located in a barren region of Logar Province. Mes Aynak contains Afghanistan's largest copper deposit, as well as the remains of an ancient settlement with over 400 Buddha statues, stupas and a 40 ha (100 acres) monastery complex. A Zoroastrian fire temple was also discovered. Archaeologists are only beginning to find remnants of an older 5,000-year-old Bronze Age site beneath the Buddhist level, including an ancient copper smelter.
The site of Mes Aynak possesses a vast complex of Buddhist monasteries, homes, and market areas. The site contains artifacts recovered from the Bronze Age, and some of the artifacts recovered have dated back over 3000 years. The site's orientation on the Silk Road has yielded a mixture of elements from China and India. The wealth of Mes Aynak's residents has been well represented in the site's far-reaching size and well-guarded perimeter.
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Archaeologists believe that Mes Aynak is a major historical heritage site. It has been called "one of the most important points along the Silk Road" by French archaeologist, Philippe Marquis.[15] There are thought to be 19 separate archaeological sites in the valley including two small forts, a citadel, four fortified monasteries, several Buddhist stupas and a Zoroastrian fire temple, as well as ancient copper workings, smelting workshops, a mint, and miners habitations.[3] In addition to the Buddhist monasteries and other structures from the Buddhist era that have already been identified, Mes Aynak also holds the remains of prior civilizations likely going back as far as the 3rd century BC. Historians are particularly excited by the prospect of learning more about the early science of metallurgy and mining by exploring this site. It is known to contain coins, glass, and the tools for making these, going back thousands of years.
Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kabulpublicdiplomacy/albums/72157627983387200/page1/
Saving Mes Aynak
Some here may remember the campaign for the making of this important documentary about the site. Many members of DU were instrumental in supporting the film's production.
Photos
http://www.savingmesaynak.com/photos
Film's website
http://www.savingmesaynak.com/
❤ pants