Organizing Committee of the Emergency Loya Jirgah

Click here for images of the event, courtesy Azadi Afghan Radio

Thursday, November 25, 1999 - Source:Azadi Afghan Radio -- For two decades Afghanistan has been in a state of violent upheaval.Ê This tragedy began with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and has continued after the withdrawal of the invading forces.Ê As a result of this foreign occupation, and the ensuing proxy wars and internal conflict, hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been killed, massive human rights violations and immense physical destruction has taken place, and millions of people have been displaced.Ê The conflict in Afghanistan has also continued to pose a threat to regional and international peace and stability.

Responding to this dire situation, the former King of Afghanistan, Mohammad Zahir Shah, has launched the first of a series of steps in order to convene the Emergency Loya Jirgah, the traditional Afghan Grand Assembly.ÊThe objectives of the Emergency Loya Jirgah are as follows:Ê To end the Afghan conflict; to appoint a head of state; and to establish a transitional government in accordance with the situation in the country and the wishes of the Afghan people.Ê This interim government will bring about peace and stability in Afghanistan and insure international legitimacy.

To move forward in implementing His Majesty's initiative, a group of Afghans representing diverse factions, sectors and ethnic groups were chosen as members of the Organizing Committee of the Emergency Loya Jirgah.Ê With assistance from the Italian Government, the group met in Rome from November 22-25, 1999, to develop plans for the implementation of the former King's vision.ÊThe meeting opened with statements by His Majesty and the Italian Deputy Foreign Minister, Senator Valentino Martelli.ÊThe Secretary-General of the United Nations sent an observer to the meeting.Ê Representatives from France, Germany, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States were also present.

The opening session called for an immediate end to the war and foreign interference.Ê The group called for an active United Nations role to bring about such a change.Ê It also agreed that the Emergency Loya Jirgah (comprised of both men and women) is the most effective mechanism for resolving the Afghan conflict and that it should be held in Afghanistan.Ê Within the next six months, the following steps for the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirgah have been agreed upon:

• To ensure international support for the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirgah; delegations should be sent to the United Nations, neighboring countries, the United States, member states of the European Union, the Organization of the Islamic Conference and other international bodies and governments to explain the outcome of the meeting, and to seek their cooperation with and participation in the Emergency Loya Jirgah.

• To seek the cooperation of the main warring parties (i.e the Taliban and the United Front) for the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirgah in Afghanistan; delegations should be sent to discuss the organization modalities and to invite their participation and cooperation.

• To mobilize support among those Afghans, both inside and outside Afghanistan, not directly involved in the war; the opening of offices should be considered in Pakistan and Iran, in cooperation with the respective governments.ÊSimilarly, supportive networks should be established in Afghanistan and around the world.ÊÊ

• To implement the decisions of the Organizing Committee; an executive council will be established, and the Rome Office will be strengthened.

The group expressed its appreciation to the government of Italy for facilitating the convening of the meeting and to the United Nations and the countries that sent observers.

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