Ex-Afghan FM Warn of Letting Down Kabul

"Although, the world has not disengaged Afghanistan as far as its security and economic needs are concerned, however it is reality that its focus has been partly shifted to some other areas", Abdullah told IslamOnline.net in an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the US-Islamic World Forum, which closed Monday, February19 .

"The world must not repeat this mistake," he said, referring to world ignorance of Afghanistan following the 1989 Russian withdrawal.

The Bush administration invaded Afghanistan following the9 / 11terrorist attacks to topple the ruling Taliban movement.

But five years after the US-led overthrow of Taliban, Afghan officials and right activists believe the West has failed in putting the country on the "path of progress" as promised.

The country is still so destitute and undeveloped that most inhabitants have no central heating, electricity or running water.

According to the international policy think tank Senlis, more than70 % of the population is chronically malnourished, while less than a quarter has access to safe drinking water.

Threat

Abdullah said the dwindling international interest is risking to turn Afghanistan into a hotbed of international terrorism.

"Taliban and Al-Qaeda are still a potential threat to the world. Though, Afghanistan is no more the Al-Qaeda’s global headquarters, but it has not accepted defeat yet, and is trying to re-capture our country," he added.

Taliban fighters have stepped up attacks against foreign forces in Afghanistan, mostly in the south, where they have captured a small town.

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