In the Name of God, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Afghanistan Voice

A Monthly Publication of the APDA---Annual Subscription $10.00---New Jersey
Year One - Number Two-------------Single Copy $1.00------November 1997

Editorial:

The October issue of Afghanistan Voice was received with such enthusiasm and praise from many quarters that exceeded all our expectations.

We thank our readers for their warm and enthusiastic support. We see this support as an indication of an urgency felt by Afghans living all over the world that they all should get together and fight the forces of reaction both within and out-side of the country with the proper resolve that the problem requires. This urgency has been especially recognized in the face of dangerous opportunism and meddling of Pakistan and others trying to bypass the will of the Afghan people.

These outside forces could not engage in such outrageous behavior were it not for the willing participation of some factions whose ethnic, linguistic, or sectarian prejudices allowed them to sacrifice the higher good of the country for their immediate gains.

Here in America some very promising steps have been taken. The Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has shown a serious commitment to confront the complex Afghan issue and has Afghanistan as the first item on the agenda to be discussed with Pakistani authorities. Later, President Clinton himself will be traveling to Pakistan and is keenly following the Afghan developments especially as it pertains to the human rights issues and the civil rights of women.

These are very good developments. However, we need to warn against too much optimism and complacency. The Taliban militia get sophisticated public relations instructions from their sponsors. They are exploiting the Pashtun emotions to make them an accomplice in the repressive measures that the Taliban are adopting, especially in the Herat region. Stories we hear from that region tell of a systematic ethnic cleansing policy pursued by the Taliban. Another area of concern is the Central Hazarajat region which has about a million people facing possible starvation, and now exodus of thousands of people from the region, because of a four-month old economic blockade imposed on it by the Taliban.

According to Tim Johnson's report of November 8^th the potential emergency has been discussed with the Taliban. The answer from Wakhil Ahmad Motawakhil as was related in the report is a reminder to us of the methods used by the Soviet communists who would starve young kids and then feed them only if they repudiated their faith that God was their nourisher. (The full Reuter story appeared on the web newswires, November 11^th 1997).

While we have been recommending understanding and dialogue among all factions, it should be made clear that no respectable Afghan from whatever ethnic background can tolerate ethnic cleansing of some of their compatriots with whom they have a shared history and heritage.

Indeed, coming to terms with the Taliban Medieval mentality or supporting those Afghan leaders who might not with forthright candor oppose these policies of the Taliban will be very difficult.

Furthermore, the Taliban policies are so deeply Pakistani-motivated and bent on Afghan destruction through ethnic conflict that no patriotic Afghan can live with them under any circumstance. It is very important that Afghans of all backgrounds, especially those outside of the country, pay close attention to the unfolding of events and involve themselves directly with the future that is being chiseled out for their country. The more the number of the enlightened, educated, progressive, and committed Afghans to their religious and cultural values, the less should be the influence of the reactionary, rigid, and oppressive groups and individuals who want to take Afghanistan back to the dark ages or want it to submit to the status of slavery under the militia of a foreign power.

And do thou be patient
For thy patience is but
From God; nor grieve over them:
And distress not thyself
Because of their plots.
(The Holy Qur'an XVI, 127)

APDA Letter to Her Excellency
Madeleine Albright, Secretary of State

October 27, 1997
Excellency Madeleine Albright
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street
Washington, D.C. 20520

On the occasion of your upcoming trip to Pakistan and your talks with Pakistani authorities, the Association of Peace and Democracy for Afghanistan wants to bring the following to your attention:

• Realizing that the United States has begun a series of talks with the responsible Pakistani authorities, the APDA strongly believes that the logistic support Pakistan has given and is giving to the Taliban Militia has seriously deteriorated an already devastated situation in Afghanistan. As we have stated in our publication, Afghanistan Voice, the Afghan-Pakistan relations have been decayed to almost the point of no return. Only sustained Pakistani reversal of her self-inflicted, ambitious policies and reliance on military adventures in Afghanistan may bring about trust and build confidence on the Afghan side. Pakistan should have realized by now that military adventurism will not bring a solution to the complex diversity of ethnic, linguistic, and sectarian dimensions of the Afghan problem. If Pakistan is sincere in her contribution to peace, stability and furtherance of trade goals in the area, she must stop her direct and indirect interferences in Afghanistan and support the United Nations peace initiative. Only a broad-based government fostered through Afghan initiations and democratic, neutral countries will help solve the Afghan problem. The old formula of Islamic Conference and similar institutions who cater to the fanatic points of view of those who have a misguided interpretation of Islam, will not be effective solving the problem.
• The APDA views the importance finally given to the South Asian problem by President Clinton and his administration as the start to plans that would lead to equitable solutions to the complex problems of the region. President Clinton's and your own visit to the area show that only this kind of high level diplomacy will help solve the chaotic and complex issues in the region. We have high hopes that the United States will not forget the plight of the victimized and heroic people of Afghan istan, particularly Afghan women who are forced to live under the Taliban's reign of terror.  
• The Taliban form of government, touted as Islamic, is in reality un Islamic and has been denounced by the Islamic scholars and the Islamic world.
• The Taliban's brand of Islam is viewed by the Islamic scholars and the Islamic world as fanatic and a travesty of the Islamic values.
• The view that if the Taliban take over the entire Afghanistan, they would bring peace and security is a false notion. Since the Taliban have come to power, they have targeted the minority groups in Afghanistan. They have tortured, harassed, im prisoned, and murdered thousands of people belonging to the minority groups and the Shia sect of Islam. The recent report by Tim Johnson, confirming the atrocities by the Taliban during their short time control of the North, is the reminder of the intolerance and bigotry of these fanatic agents of Pakistan.
• Pakistan is very eager to gain hegemony over Afghanistan for geo political, development, Central Asian gas and oil resources and many mistrust and suspicions of Pakistan's intentions toward Afghanistan has reached its highest level. This is one of the most important reasons among others why the Northern Alliance rejected the most recent proposal of the Taliban for talks in Islamabad. We believe that the only way Pakistan is able to regain the confidence and trust of the Afghan people is to stop her interference in and ambitious military adventures in Afghanistan. Pakistan must respect the Afghan people's free exercise of their rights to determine their future under an internationally supervised mechanism.  

You are well aware of the tragic happenings and misery of the helpless Afghan civilians who are caught in the claws of civil war in Afghanistan. We hope that you may find a remedy to Afghanistan's problem and wish you much success on your difficult mission.

Sincerely,

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

It is with great pleasure that we report Secretary of State Albright’s courageous stand for human rights and her categorical statement made in Pakistan that her government is not going to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

  The Secretary of State called the Taliban treatment of women and children despicable. This clear message may put pressure on Pakistan to genuinely seek the Afghanistan solution through the United Nation’s mechanisms which demand a broad-based government of the Afghans’ choosing. How this stand will play out in real political actions, time will tell.

  We know that Pakistan and Iran are trying to put together a government of various Jehadi groups and warlords, divide the posts of government among them, give some of the Taliban some role, and call it broadbased.

  Little attention is being paid to the fact that the severity of the problem is such that these patches will not work. They will not solve any of the human rights violations that the Afghans have been subjected to.

Secretary Albright reiterated the "Six plus Two" plan which would include all Afghan neighbors and the U.S. and Russia to discuss the Afghan problem. Most Afghan intellectuals have been recommending an international conference on Afghanistan and this seems to be along that line.

What is really necessary for the International community to work out is some method whereby the Afghan people's representatives find a chance under international supervision to determine their future using Afghan traditional processes without any duress of any kind. The armed groups with manipulating hands of interfering neighbors will not bring about the peace and tranquility that the Afghans long for.

Declaration of the APDA About the Gathering in Istanbul of the Reconciliation & National Unity Council

The following Declaration was made by the APDA on the occasion of the Reconciliation & National Unity Council Gathering in Istanbul :

November 2, 1997

APDA Declaration Announced on the Occasion of the Meeting in Istanbul

The second inter-Afghan gathering of Reconciliation & National Unity Council of Afghanistan was recently held in Istanbul, Turkey. The participants discussed the various national and international dimensions of the Afghanistan problem and worked on finding ways towards the goal of holding the Loya Jirga (Afghan Grand Council).

The Association for Peace and Democracy for Afghanistan (APDA) as the sole political body, an organization that from its inception has engaged in useful and sustaining efforts including personal contacts with all the relevant sides to the conflict and with personalities inside and outside of Afghanistan, has prepared plans for the return of peace in the country and has brought them to the attention of responsible officials of the United Nations. This organization based on the principles within its constitution praises every effort that would facilitate understanding and dialogue between and among the various Afghan factions.

The Istanbul gathering, at this grave juncture of our national life, has been a useful step towards peace and reconciliation. We only hope that the gathering will be successful in the future to include more of the intellectuals and effective elements from different ethnic groups and from different areas of the country in a balanced way should be invited to get involved in the work of Recon-ciliation & National Unity Council. Furthermore, the participation of women in the future gatherings is a must, something that should be taken seriously.

Wishing success to all those treading the path of peace and democracy.

Letter to Honorable Caroline Maloney

ASSOCIATION for PEACE and DEMOCRACY for AFGHANISTAN
5603 Sheldon Drive
Alexandria, VA 22312
(703)790-6977

The Honorable Caroline Maloney
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.

The Association for Peace and Democracy for Afghanistan (APDA) would like to take this opportunity and extend its appreciation for your interest in the on going crisis in Afghanistan and commend you on your courageous stand in defense of human rights and democracy in our country of birth.

We hope that under your leadership in the Congress, the representatives of the American intellectual people will remember the sacrifices of the people of Afghanistan for the preservation of freedom and liberty in the 1980s, which accelerated the demise of the Soviet Union. We also hope that the U.S. Congress will take into account the aspirations of our people for freedom, independence and human rights, with honor and dignity.

The Afghan war, with its internal and external factors, has gone through various stages in the past 20 years, but today, it is mostly a forgotten war. The victims are mostly women and children, the disabled and destitute. The perpetrators are powerful foreign interest-driven circles and even countries with harmful strategic and inhuman designs. This tragedy has gone on for too long and, in the United States, leaders like yourself need to come forth and tell the truth in defense of our oppressed people.

The APDA, nationwide Afghan-American organization, based in Virginia, with strong chapters in California, New York, Georgia and several other States, and representations in Germany, France, Canada, Pakistan, India, Australia and Kuwait, has for the past two years been active in promoting a real and just interAfghan peace process. In our quest for a fair and durable peace in Afghanistan, our delegations have traveled to Afghanistan, Pakistan, some European countries and across the US to help promote a constructive peace dialogue based on Afghan realities.

Representing a large cross section of Afghan Americans, some of whom live in your State and district, the APDA has clear and specific ideas and suggestions to share with you.

Prior to the up-coming trips by the American Secretary of State and later by the President to South Asia, we would like to meet with you and exchange views and ideas important to American policy makers.

A four member APDA delegation will be in Washington on Nov. 5 and 6 to meet with interested parties and would very much appreciate an opportunity to discuss the Afghan crisis with you. I can be reached at 706-675-3911 or 703-790-6977.

Sincerely,

Dr. Erfan Fetrat
External Affairs Director

An Overview of the Washington Meeting Based on Dr. Fetrat's Notes

On November 5, 1997, a delegation of the APDA attended several meetings which indicated a serious resolve on the part of responsible US authorities to find a solution to the Afghanistan problem.

The Heritage Foundation lunch, attended by former Congressman Don Ritter, Afghanistan Foundation President, his Vice-President, Mr. Phillip Smith and a number of the Afghan-istan Foundation members, brought Afghans of several active organizations from several States together.

Former Afghan Senator Azizullah Wasefi, Mr. Hamid Karzai, and General Payenda, the attendees of the recent Afghanistan Reconciliation and National Unity Council meeting in Istanbul, were also present.

Dr. and Mrs Hamid Hadi, Dr. Sherief Fayez, Dr. Fetrat from APDA, Mr. Omar Samad, and several others had serious conversations with the other attendees about the future course of policies and developments relevant to Afghanistan.

The group heard from Congressman Ritter about the new resolve of the American government to be an active player in finding a solution to the Afghanistan problem. The Afghanistan Foundation, according to Congress-man Ritter, having received funds from the National Endowment for Democracy, was henceforward to start its work with seriousness and resolve. Foundation Vice-President, Mr. Smith, told the group that now the State Department knows what policy to follow.

Later in the State Department, the group was given assurances of effective steps being taken to solve the Afghanistan problem.

Mr. Karzai presented a report of the first Reconciliation meeting in Frankfurt, and its second meeting in Istanbul, and entertained questions on the subject.

WAFA member, Dr. Ziba Shorish asked why Afghan women were not among the participants. Logistic problems and difficulty of getting the Taliban permission were among some of the reasons.

Another APDA member, Dr. Fayez, inquired about the reasons for the preponderance of the Kandaharis , and no Herati representation. Again the sensitivity of dealing with the Taliban was cited. Assurances were given, however, that these errors will not be repeated in the third meeting which is to take place in two months.

According to Dr. Fetrat, the group was told that multilateral efforts are under way to put pressure on all groups, the Taliban, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and others to find a solution to the problem.

To a question from Mr. Omar Samad regarding reactions of Pakistan and Iran, Congressman Ritter said that Iran was not that actively involved, but Pakistan was the focus of the State Department and hence, the Secretary of State's and the President's trips to the region.

To the question, asked by Prof.. Hamid Hadi, of why the American neglect, something which led to the current crisis, the answers from Congressman Ritter indicated that there is a change in world conditions and, therefore, a new resolve under new conditions.

The APDA members talks with officials of the Afghanistan Desk at the State Department showed them that the activities of the APDA are recognized with keen interest and admiration, especially in light of Mr. Inderfurth's observation that the Afghans themselves ought to take the initiative of finding a solution to Afghanistan's problems.

****

Urgent, Urgent, Urgent

The latest unconfirmed report from Mashad, Iran, quotes Khodadad Erfani saying ,"Based on understandings reached among various Afghan political factions, a broad-based national government would be formed in Afghanistan. Erfani in his talks at a press conference added that the national government of Afghanistan will be formed within a month under the presidentship of Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Saying that various government posts have been distributed among all jihadi groups and even the Taliban., the Afghan official pointed out that" the new provincial [provisional] government will rule only for nine months until a permanent government was elected by the people..