By Frozan Rahmani Jun 14, 2010 - 19:08
KABUL (PAN): The result of a US survey which discovered that Afghanistan holds nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits was "good news" for the Afghan people, the presidential spokesman said on Monday.
The United States Geological Survey's results showed that previously unknown reserves of lithium, gold, iron, copper and cobalt could transform Afghanistan into one of the world's most important mining hubs.
The primary survey does not include all minerals in the country, suggesting Afghanistan has more natural wealth, President Hamid Karzai's chief spokesman, Waheed Omar, told a press conference in Kabul.
"If we, the Afghan government, and people make efforts to utilise the mineral reserves in an appropriate way, it will be a U-turn in the economy of our country," Omar said.
The survey was conducted over the past four years based on a contract with the Afghan government.
Omar was also asked about the recent report of a British research centre which detailed the close ties between Pakistan's spy agency and the Taliban. Omar said the 29-page report included some "very hard realties". He added that the accuracy and inaccuracy of the report would be made clear in the future.
He said the insurgency had been growing in Afghanistan over the past five years which meant it must be getting funding and support from somewhere.
Omar also revealed that Karzai would leave soon for Japan.
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