Schwartz encouraged
after recent trip

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz saw some encouraging signs during a recent trip to the volatile nations of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Schwartz (D-13th dist.) is a member of the House Democracy Assistance Commission, a bipartisan congressional task force that works to promote and support the development of democratic governments around the world.
The congresswoman joined Reps. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, and Wayne Gilchrest, a Maryland Republican who was defeated in a February primary, on a weeklong trip that also took them to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The trio spent two days apiece in the border nations of Afghanistan and Pakistan during the May 23-30 trip and came home convinced that the United States can have good relationships with both countries.
"They want to be our allies," Schwartz said in a telephone conference call with reporters.
Schwartz looks forward to House Democracy Assistance Commission trips because members of Congress get to meet with leaders of other nations.
In the past, she’s been to East Timor, Indonesia, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.
"These trips are important," she said.
The commission reaches out to parliaments in emerging democracies, offering peer-to-peer guidance.
In general, the congressional delegations advise parliaments that they should hold equal power to presidents to ensure oversight. They give tips on staffing, committees and how to access information.
In Afghanistan, they met with American troops and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Robert W. Cone, commander of the combined security transition effort. They visited the ancient city of Kabul, the nation’s capital and largest city, population about 3 million.
After speaking to members of parliament, the delegation believes Afghanistan leaders are grateful for the U.S. financial backing and are committed to taking over the security of the country and fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The United States led an invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 that toppled the Taliban government. Today, the international community is working to reconstruct Afghanistan and rid the nation of its drug problem.
The Afghanistan police forces are receiving training, and the military seems to be faring better than its counterpart in Iraq, in Schwartz’s opinion.
"Afghanistan has a long history of fighting," she said.
In Pakistan, the delegation met with Asif Ali Zardari, widower of Benazir Bhutto, a former prime minister who was assassinated last December as she sought to regain power.
The group also spent time with President Pervez Musharraf, who was elected last fall to a five-year term.
His opponents have challenged the validity of the election, and he jailed Supreme Court justices before they could issue a ruling.
President George W. Bush supports Musharraf, but Schwartz said it would probably be best to find a dignified way for him to leave office.
"He’s clearly not going to do it on his own," she said.
In Armenia, the delegation spoke to opposition leaders, along with several wives of the more than 100 political prisoners jailed in protests of the election of President Serzh Sargsyan. Eight people were killed as police broke up the March 1 demonstration.
In Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev — whose 2003 election and subsequent reign have drawn fierce protests — declared himself a pro-Western leader who favors free, fair, internationally monitored elections.
"The right words were said," said Schwartz, adding that she would like to see Aliyev follow up with the right actions. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com