Friday saw more demonstrations. In some provinces they were peaceful while others not. Demonstrators were shouting for the release of prisoners from Guatanamo Bay and for no US perminant bases in Afghanistan. The US plans to spend $83 on two bases.

As for the Taliban behind the demos Jalalabad which saw the worst is not strong Taliban area and Badakshan in the north was never taken by the Taliban. Taliban might have had some involvement in some areas but I think it more likely to be related to drugs than anything. Both these areas have had poppy eradication recently.

It was/is probably a mixture but the reported desecration of the Khoran was a major reason. It is not viewed as just a religious book but the embodiment of Islam so any insult to it created great emotion.

Today was relatively peaceful. The next week will tell. Thing may calm down or it could move towards civil war. At the moment the elections are only 50% likely to happen. This is not the official line but what some election experts are saying.

One thing is sure and that is that there will be more violence this year.

OTHER MATTERS:

Poppy cultivation is likely to be less in 2005 as there is no longer a drought and the poppy requires little water.

Afghanistan has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.

Local press carried story of a policewoman in Kandahar. She has to wear a burka and faces death threats. Last week she shot and killed three assins. She estimates 1 in 4 women in Afghanistan suffer domestic violence.