Painting of a woman with pale, fluffy hair wearing a dress with a large brooch

Marie-Thérèse of France

Narrative of the Journey to Varennes of Louis XVI and His Family,

 1791

During the whole of the twentieth of June, my father and mother seemed very busy and much agitated, but I did not know the reason. After dinner, they sent my brother and me into another room, and shut themselves up alone with my aunt. I have since learned that it was then that they communicated to my aunt their intention to escape. The following day, at half past ten, when we were all ready, my mother conducted us to the carriage in the middle of the court, which was exposing herself to great risk. Madame de Tourzel, my brother, and I got into the carriage; M. de Fersen was the coachman. To deceive anyone that might follow us, we drove about several streets. At last we returned to the Little Carousel, which is close to the Tuilleries. My brother was fast asleep in the bottom of the carriage, under the petticoats of Madame de Tourzel. There we remained waiting a full hour, ignorant of what was going on. When we got into the village, we heard alarming shouts of Stop! Stop! The postillions were seized, and in a moment the carriage was surrounded by a great crowd, some with arms and some with lights. They asked who we were. We answered, “Madame de Korff and her family.” They thrust their lights into the carriage, close to my father’s face, and insisted upon our alighting. We answered that we would not, that we were common travelers and had a right to get on. They repeated their orders to alight on pain of being put to death, and at that moment, all their guns were leveled at the carriage. We then alighted, and in crossing the street, six mounted dragoons passed us, but unfortunately they had no officer with them. If there had been, six resolute men would have intimidated them all, and might have saved the king.

Painting of a woman with pale, fluffy hair wearing a dress with a large brooch

Ashraf Ghani

A Facebook post,

 2021

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Dear countrymen!

Today I came across a hard choice: if I should stand to face the armed Taliban who wanted to enter the palace or leave the dear country that I dedicated my life to protecting and caring for the past twenty years. If I had stayed, countless of my countrymen would be martyred and Kabul would face destruction and turn into ruins that could result in a human catastrophe for its six million residents. The Taliban have made it a point to remove me. They are here to attack all Kabul and the people of Kabul. In order to avoid the flood of bloodshed, I thought it was best to get out.

The Taliban have won the judgment of their swords and guns, and now they are responsible for the honor, property, and self-preservation of their countrymen. They didn’t win the legitimacy of hearts. Never in history has dry force given legitimacy to anyone and never will. They are now facing a new historical test: either they will protect the name and honor of Afghanistan or they will prioritize other places and networks. Many people and many strata are in fear and have no faith in the future. In order to win legitimacy and the hearts of the people, it is necessary for the Taliban to give assurance to all the people, tribes, different strata, sisters and women of Afghanistan, and to make clear plans and share them with the public. I will always continue to serve my nation through offering ideas and programs. Lots more news for the future.

Long live Afghanistan!

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