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H. E. President Hamid Karzai was joined by a number of senior government offi-cials, prominently including H.E. Dr. Zal-mai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and parliament members at Kabul Interna-tional Airport to welcome home the na-tional football team after a historic victory in the South Asian Football Federation’s Championship (SAFF). H.E. the President received and congratulated every member of the team on their arrival and wished them continued success. Afghanistan for the first time won the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF)

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title with an impressive 2-0 win over the two-time defending champions, India. The championship came after qualifying games. In the opening match, Afghani-stan came from behind to defeat Sir Lanka 3-1. In the second game, Af-ghanistan was victorious over Bhutan’s national team with a score of 3-0. While unable to overcome the Maldives in the first round, the Afghan team’s strong performance in the other games allowed for qualification into the semi-finals, where Afghanistan defeated the host

(Continued on page 2)

National Football Team wins South Asian Football Federation

Championship, H.E. President Karzai, H.E. Minister Rassoul

offer congratulations

Bamiyan Wall

Paintings

Inside caves in Bami-yan caves wall paint-ings done in oil from around 7th centuries can be seen. The paintings depict Buddhas in red robes

sitting cross-legged. These treasures are among the world’s oldest surviving oil paintings.

NewsletterNewsletter SeptemberSeptember 20132013

News 1-4

Ambassador’s message

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Recipe 5

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Afghan News, November 1010

H.E. Minister Rassoul shares of

progress on MDGs

H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, addressed in New York on September 25th in-ternational delegates, speaking on Afghanistan’s progress in achiev-ing the Millennium Development Goals. While stating that chal-

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 are moving towards Sustainable De-velopment Goals post 2015.”

Ambassador Fatimie visits Fu-

kuoka, attends award ceremony

Ambassador Dr. Sayed M. Amin Fatimie made an official visit to Fu-

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nation, Nepal 1-0, to advance to the finals. After winning the SAFF, the Na-tional Football Team rose 7 places to 132nd in the FIFA world rankings and 2 places to 19th in Asia.

Newsletter, September 2013Newsletter, September 2013

Message from the AmbassadorMessage 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 2013Newsletter, September 2013

Education spreading further

On the occasion of International Literacy Day, a new community-based project to further improve women’s and girl’s literacy was launched, with the support of USAID. Some 840 women will receive literacy classes. 40 community libraries being set up by Afghanistan Reads, a two-year project that aims to improve the educational status of women and girls in Mazar-I-Sharif, Badakhshan, Kapisa, Bamiyan and Ghazni, Panjsheer and Kabul prov-inces. More than 20,000 people are expected to use the libraries. A new 8-classroom building for Sayad Rajab girls’ high school in Maimana, Faryab province, built with the cooperation of Norway, was inaugurated on September 7th. The school is equipped with such facilities as a library. Currently 700 students attend lessons at the school. Another new 8-classroom building was inaugurated for Shaikhan mid-dle school in Asadabad, Kunar province early this month. The building will serve 400 students. A teacher training center began operation this month in the Chal district of Takhar province. The center serves 80 teachers. Sardar-e-Kabuli Girls High School was officially handed over to H.E. the Minister of Education, provid-ing 6,000 girls with a bright, clean, and safe learning environment. The opening ceremony, attended by H.E. the Minister of Education and USAID officials, celebrated the completion of the USAID-supported project. The new multi-story building in-cludes 53 classrooms, laboratories, administrative offices and a li-brary. Other improvements brought

kuoka prefecture on September 11th and 12th. Ambassador Dr. Fatimie firstly was extended an extremely warm welcome from Hon. Vice-Governor Etsuko Ebii (pictured be-low) at Her office, with the Afghan flag flying outside. He was then re-ceived very cordially by Hon. Mayor Soichiro Takashima (pictured bot-tom) of Fukuoka city. To both, the Ambassador expressed deepest grati-tude, on behalf of the people and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, for the enlightened and impact-generating support that Japan, and within this Fukuoka, has provided to socio-economic areas and to the peace process.

On the following day, the Ambassa-dor had the great pleasure of attend-ing a gathering with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Aki-shino. The gathering was held in commemoration of the awarding of the Fukuoka Prize. This year, the top award of the Fukuoka Prize was awarded to Dr. Tetsu Nakamura (seen in the top photo to the side) of Pesha-war-kai. Dr. Nakamura has been ac-tive in assisting vulnerable Afghan populations both within Afghanistan

and in refuge in Pakistan. Follow-ing the gathering, Ambassador Dr. Fatimie and Their Imperial High-nesses both attended the ceremony to award the Fukuoka Prize. Am-bassador Dr. Fatimie was given the opportunity to deliver a toast in honor of all recipients after.

Health of Citizens Continues to

be Prioritized

H.E. President Hamid Karzai was congratulated by Dr. Wenger, Di-rector of Polio Eradication Program of Bill & Melinda Gates Founda-tion, on the remarkable decrease in polio cases. President Karzai reas-sured that Afghanistan would go for anti-polio operations across the country and would instruct all gov-ernors to provide cooperation, with

the support from the foundation.

On September 7th, a 30-bed hospital was opened in the Nadershahkot district of Khost province. The hos-pital is ready to serve a number of ailments, thus further easing the access to care for local residents. Meanwhile, a gastroenterological diagnostic center equipped with modern facilities including ultra-sound and endoscope machines was inaugurated in Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital in Kabul on September 3rd. Public Health Minister H.E. Dr. Suraya Dalil said the center, which was supported by Slovakian gov-ernment, would provide free treat-

ment for patients.

Kabul’s first ever international health exhibition was opened ear-lier this month at the Sitara Hotel. The aim of the 3-day exhibition was to improve health sector con-nections and related economic ties with regional nations. 50 regional companies put their medical prod-

ucts on display.

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Newsletter, September 2013Newsletter, September 2013

power, water and sanitation to the school. The construction began in 2009, with the first students report-ing for classes in August 2012 upon completion of the main school building.

Better Access to Electricity for

more people

The Afghanistan Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) on Sunday signed a contract to transfer 20KW electricity from Mazar-e-Sharif to Marmul and Khulm districts in northern Balkh province within 15 months with an Indian company, Gammon India. The contract will soon be operational with investment support from the German govern-ment. Over 7,000 families of Mar-mul and Khulm are expected to benefit from the project. Meanwhile, provision of energy for nomads was started on September 7 with the distribution of 82 solar pan-els in Charasyab district of Kabul province.

Increased Yields, Trade in

Agricultural Goods

Fruit and vegetable exports in the first quarter of the year increased by more than 10% compared to the 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. Kabul, the top exporting province, sent abroad such items as apricots, grapes, and apples. Northern and central provinces, which also do well, export such items as melons, pistachios, and pomegranates. Kunduz province saw a 70% in-crease in grape production in the past year, from 1,400 kilograms to 2,170 kilograms. Grapes are ex-

ported to a number of nations, most notably India, Pakistan, and Tajiki-stan. With plans to set up cold storage facilities, the ability to send grapes domestically and internationally will continue to increase. Wheat production has more than dou-bled in Baghdis compared to last year. This year, 96,000 metric tons were harvested, compared to 38,000 tons last year. Saffron increased in popularity over the past year, with cultivation taking place in 26 provinces from 20 last year. Herat in particular is reported to be having great success with the product. “More than 4,000 kg of Saf-fron was exported to foreign coun-tries last year, with each kilogram selling for between $5,000-$6,000,” according to Tolo News. Positive growth in the agricultural sector is likely to continue. Helmand province, which enjoys 40% of the nation’s water resources, has started a large 3-month agricultural project. The wide ranging project includes such facets as distributing saffron and other seeds, fertilizer, livestock equipment and housing facilities. 550 gardening plots will also be portioned out to reintegrated militants.

New export logo unveiled

A formal trade and exports standards logo (Afghanistan Amazingly Real), in a bid to introduce national pro-duced goods and products to global market, and prevent forgery in re-gional and international markets.

Deputy trade and commerce min-ister H. E. Muzamil Shinwari af-firmed that the government will make sure that only top quality products will be exported to re-gional and global markets with the trade mark of the country. The quality of national products have a good reputation in regional markets and from now on these products will be exported with a standard trade logo.

Safi Airways Increases Capac-

ity to Meet Growing Demand

Afghan private airline Safi Air-ways is expanding its capacity. In order to serve increasing transit demand to and from Afghanistan, the company is renting two Air-bus A-319s. These planes will service to Dubai. Afghanistan’s air service is in-creasing rapidly. Currently the nation has 40 airports, of which four are international.

Bronze medals attained at

Taekwondo event in Poland

A Taekwondo tournament was held in Warsaw, Poland from Au-gust 31st to September 2nd. Ath-letes from 36 nations competed. From the 5-person Afghan team, two stars, Ahmad Nawid Zahir and Fraidoon, earned bronze medals.

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Newsletter, September 2013Newsletter, September 2013

Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo 2-2-1 Azabudai, Minato ward, Tokyo, 106-0041

Tel: 03-5574-7611 / Fax: 03-5574-0195

Website

www.afghanembassyjp.org

Contact Us

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions regarding this newsletter or the Embassy, please send an e-mail to the embassy’s Public Affairs Officer, Jason Pratt:

pratt@afghanembassyjp.org

Dining With the DiplomatsDining 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.