Archives26 June 1999 Excerpts from an interview by Omar Samad with Dr. Zalmai Khalilzad, former U.S. State and Defense Departments official, and currently with the Rand Corp. about ongoing Afghan peace initiativesNews Release Azadi Afghan Radio June 26, 1999 Omar Samad: As you are aware, about 16 Afghan personalities, members of a consultative body and the Loya Jirga's working group, gathered in Rome (at the invitation of the former Afghan King) on Friday, and subsequently started their work Saturday. Since you have been in some ways involved in this process, can you tell us what can one expect from this gathering? Dr. Zalmai Khalilzad: This group's role is to give pragmatic proposals for the implementation of the former King's general plan which calls for the convening of an emergency Loya Jirga and the establishment of a transitional government for the purpose of ending the war in Afghanistan and uniting its people. This group will have to find solutions and answers to several questions, among them: how to find ways to attract and mobilize popular support inside and outside the country; how to deal with the warring factions and find ways to gain their support for this initiative; how to deal with the regional countries and other powers, especially the United States. Also, given the continued warlike situation and foreign interference, how can an emergency Jirga be convened, and on what basis will its members be selected? There are also some issues pertaining to the former Kingās own administrative setup and information strategy capabilities that need to be looked into Q: So you think that this working group's task is basically of a consultative nature and not a decision-making one? A: As far as I know, the group's role is to present its ideas and proposals on a host of issues to the former King. Subsequently, the former monarch can decide on them and take future steps. Their role is very limited will last only a few days and will then end. Q: What do you think about this consultative group's composition? As is common among Afghans, so far, the reactions, as voiced from political and media outlets, has been somewhat severe and critical on the issue of member selection. What criteria do you think was used to select these individuals? Was it mainly based on standards of expertise or involved more personal and tactical motivations? A: As you know, we people are also not immune from certain weaknesses. One of those current weaknesses is divisiveness. Even if God had selected these individuals, some people would have been critical. The former King made the decisions based on certain principles: that both genders must be represented; that various ethnic groups be represented; that a variety of opinions be presented and that these people could build bridges to the people of Afghanistan. This could also be considered as a first step toward national reconciliation and a message to the world that the former Afghan King is willing to accept differing views and opinions. Well, it's conceivable that personal and other matters were also involved in the decision-making process on the part of the King and his entourage. But it's too early to draw conclusions about this group. We have to wait and see whether they will succeed in accomplishing their real task we have to evaluate them based on their work and not whether each one is acceptable to each and every Afghan. I am sure there are very few people who are acceptable to all. Q: As this process demands, the next step involves the gathering of about 35-40 people who will form a Loya Jirga formation committee and make important decisions on various issues, such as contacting the internal factions, the international community, the selection of the delegates, and even the date and venue for the Jirga. From your own assessment, what are the positions and views of the current warring factions, and to what extent do they accept this process? A: As you said, this group must give consultations about future steps and one of the more important questions is what types of contacts and by whom should be established with the warring factions. So far, it seems that the groups in the North (the anti-Taliban alliance) are more optimistic about this process. This is not very surprising since they are in a slightly weaker military position currently, and they have said for the past few years that they prefer a peaceful settlement based on an end to fighting and the establishment of a new government. The big question on the Taliban side is what position will they finally take on this. Thus far, on one hand they have made negative remarks, and on the other hand some positive things have been said in this regard. They have asked for a delegation to be sent out on behalf of the former King to Kandahar to discuss this proposal with them. It is certain that delegations will be sent to meet and talk to both sides inside the country and future steps will be based on this. At that point I am sure that representatives form the warring factions and other influential and non-affiliated people will be invited as part of the group of 35-40 to work on the formation and details of an emergency Loya Jirga... I imagine issues pertaining to a cease-fire and a transitional administration will also be discussed in that gathering. The important question facing this process currently is what contingencies to take into account in case one of the two warring sides, for example the Taliban, reject this process ways and means have to be devised to confront this possibility. Q: Do you think that the international community will from now on render further support to this process or will they continue to maintain a wait-and-see attitude? A: as far as the great powers, such as the US, European nations, China, Japan and others are concerned, most are optimistic about this process, but so far they have not decided on a policy of support and assistance, and are waiting to see what will happen. The United Nations and specially Mr. (Lakhdar) Brahimiās mission is also waiting to see what will come about, even though he recently had some positive remarks at a conference in Stockholm a few days ago As for Afghanistan's neighbors, who have a big role to play, it is not quite clear yet what action will be taken in regard to the former King's initiative. They may also be waiting to see what comes of the Rome meetings and what will the Afghan people's reaction be. Pakistan's role is of particular importance. In the same manner that the Taliban's position on this issue is not yet clear internally, by the same token Pakistan's position is of importance externally, and it is not inconceivable that they will finally oppose this movement. But it's still early to draw such a conclusion. Certainly a delegation will also be sent to the region, and Pakistan will be one of the countries involved in the deliberations in order to reach an understanding. Q: The Afghan and Pakistani media have recently also made comments about your own role in this process. This may be a good occasion for you to clarify your own role in all of this and tell us whether you are involved in an official capacity or not? A: No, I currently do not hold an official position within the US government, even though I did back in the 1980's In the past few years though I have been willing to work with all groups and people who want to work for peace and the establishment of a popularly supported government in Afghanistan, one that would ready the country for the 21st century. A few weeks ago the former King invited me to come talk and give my opinion about his proposal, which I did... I promised that I would cooperate with anyone who works toward this end. I have been asked to return to Rome again next week and talk about this (consultative) group's efforts. I have accepted to go and continue the debate, but I do not have a particular role on behalf of the US government or some other group, including the King's own circle. I also do not have any wishes to hold a position in Afghanistan's future government. I am willing to cooperate with anyone based on the principle that a popular government be established in the country, where all the people, men and women, have a role, and consider themselves as part of the system. Since the former King has taken a step, which may lead to such a government, I agreed to cooperate. But this issue has many obstacles and problems on its path, and requires the cooperation of all Afghans to succeed. Not only because of the fact that I was born in Afghanistan, but also because of my responsibilities in the 1980s, I feel that I should not spare any efforts in order to help bring peace to Afghanistan. Q: The reason I asked the previous question had, to a certain extent, to do with comments made this week in an interview by Mullah Amir Khan Motaqi, The Taliban information minister, who, while respectfully denying any role for the former King, accused "foreign elements and hands" of being behind the Rome initiative. Do you think that is the case? A: There is no doubt that there are different interests involved in Afghanistan. It is not only a civil war, but a regional and foreign one also. The more this movement (the Loya Jirga initiative) gains strength, the more different foreign countries will take a stance and will try to effect it. The important issue is that Afghans have to make decisions based upon their own interest, without being blind to the fact that foreign countries will try to impact the process in conjunction with their own interests. It's a reality that has to be faced but Afghans have to base their decisions and steps on the interests of the people of Afghanistan. Copyright by Azadi Afghan Radio/Global Infolinx inc. |