Message to Senator Richard Durbin on U.S. theft of Afghan assets

Sen. Durbin, you did not respond to my demand for you to work to stop the theft by Biden of $7 billion in Afghan treasure which is worsening the Aghan humanitarian crisis. You just offered happy talk of how concerned you are and how involved you are in providing more assistance. Afghans are suffering and dying every day from US refusal to release these funds, most likely to punish the Taliban rulers for defeating the American invaders who subjugated Afghanistan for 20 years, killing hundreds of thousands.  

I beg you to use your considerable influence to stop this grotesque theft of desperately need Afghan treasure. It is clear from your comment "Holding the Taliban accountable for their actions does not mean we must make the people of Afghanistan suffer greater hardship", that you support the theft and ignore the continuing US made humanitarian crisis there.

Please respond to my demand to work for the release this treasure to the Taliban and the Afghan people. US policy is simply killing Afghans from afar. 

Walt Zlotow

President, West Suburban Peace Coalition

Glen Ellyn    

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February 24, 2022 Mr. Walt Zlotow 340 Greenfield Avenue Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-5337 Dear Mr. Zlotow:           Thank you for contacting me about the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.  I appreciate hearing from you.            After a severe drought and decades of conflict, Afghanistan is amidst an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.  More than half of the country's population will require humanitarian assistance to survive the winter, and more than one million children will face acute hunger.  In the months since the Taliban seized power, conditions have deteriorated drastically.  Doctors and nurses have not been paid. Less than 20 percent of the  2,300 health clinics are functional.  The United Nations requested $4.4 billion for humanitarian aid within Afghanistan, the largest request in history for a single country.            Holding the Taliban accountable for their actions does not mean we must make the people of Afghanistan suffer greater hardship.  I was pleased when the Biden Administration announced that aid groups would be exempt from the sanctions meant to hinder the Taliban, as well as the pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars in direct humanitarian aid.  The administration also has worked with international allies and institutions to ensure direct aid can flow into Afghanistan easier and has helped organize additional international funds for relief.            In recent weeks, I have spoken with administration officials, urging them to continue to assist the humanitarian effort underway in Afghanistan.  On January 20, 2022, I led several of my colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting that he include additional direct humanitarian funding in any supplemental appropriations request sent to Congress.            I will continue to speak with administration officials and monitor the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.  Should additional direct humanitarian funding measures be considered in the Senate, I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.           Thank you again for contacting me.  Please feel free to keep in touch.
	Sincerely,       Richard J. Durbin       United States Senator
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