Kucinich: Afghan Mineral Discovery Demands a Thoughtful Way Forward

Following reports that
nearly $1 trillion in natural resources have been found in Afghanistan,
Congressman Dennis Kucinich released the following statement:

"We have just learned that there are nearly $1
trillion of untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan. This is a massive
find that must be managed by the Afghan people.

"Even before the discovery of these minerals, we
knew that we were propping up a corrupt government in Afghanistan.
According to officials, it is likely that Afghanistan's former Minister
of Mines took a $30 million bribe to give China the rights to develop a
copper mine.

"This discovery demands a more thoughtful and
comprehensive way forward in Afghanistan. In the coming weeks, Congress
is expected to be asked to allocate another $33 billion for the war.
Congress must take a stand and say no to additional funding. Congress
must end this disastrous war and acknowledge that weapons and force will
not ensure that these valuable resources do not fall into the hands of
international mining companies at the expense of the Afghan people,
among the most impoverished people in the world.

"Afghanistan has been presented with an
opportunity to boost its economy and usher in a new era of transparency
and stability. It is incumbent upon the American government to provide
Afghanistan with the necessary resources and support to develop a
central government that reflects the interests and will of the Afghan
people. We ought to nurture democracy and peace; our presence there now
only sows discontent and violence," said Kucinich.

Kucinich has led the opposition to the wars in
Iraq and Afghanistan. Kucinich was the first to charge that the U.S.
invaded Iraq in order to secure valuable oil contracts for American
based multinationals. It was widely reported in 2008 in the New York Times and elsewhere that
American advisors and the State Department played a key role in writing
international oil contracts in Iraq.