KARZAI: AFGHANISTAN NEEDS FOREIGN STABILIZATION FORCE "FOR AS LONG AS NECESSARY"
A Q&A with Hamid Karzai, head of Afghanistan's interim government: 2/7/02

Since assuming the leadership of Afghanistan's interim government, Hamid Karzai has scrambled to keep the country's reconstruction aspirations on track. Given a dire shortage of funds and a devastated infrastructure, the interim government has been hard pressed to provide basic services. Karzai has also had to contend with warlords who are reluctant to cede authority to a centralized administration.

The interim government is now preparing the ground for the convocation of a Loya Jirga, or grand tribal council, which will pave the way for the formation of a permanent government in Afghanistan. The Loya Jirga process began February 7, when an organizing commission held its first session. The Loya Jirga is scheduled to convene in June.

Karzai has spent a considerable amount of time seeking international assistance for Afghan stabilization. On February 8, he is scheduled to travel to Pakistan for talks with Pakistani leader Pervez Musharraf. Karzai is expected to focus on securing Pakistani support for reconstruction and security initiatives. Prior to the start of the campaign against terrorism, Pakistan had been closely aligned the radical Islamic Taliban movement.

In late January, Karzai visited Washington for talks with US President George W. Bush and congressional leaders. He also attended the World Economic Forum, an annual gathering of prominent economic and political leaders, held in early February in New York.

In the United States, Karzai talked about boosting the size of an international stabilization force in Afghanistan, an issue that has emerged as one of his top priorities. At the New York economic gathering, Afghan interim government officials have endorsed a fourfold increase in the force, to 20,000 soldiers. But details on this increase and its logistics are far from clear. Karzai ended up returning to Afghanistan with pledges of about $350 million in American aid and promises of American training and logistical support, but no commitment to expand the stabilization force.

While in the United States, Karzai spoke to EurasiaNet contributor Camelia Entekhabi-Fard about the challenges facing Afghanistan as it strives to recover from 22 years of internecine violence. The text of his comments follow:

EurasiaNet: How many years do you think foreign peacekeeping forces will have to stay in Afghanistan?
Karzai: I can't say in years or months. We need them as long as it is necessary. If peace is achieved in 5 months, then that is how long we are going to need them for. If peace, a peace that is durable and lasting, returns in a few years then that's how long we are going to need them. … It all depends on how the situation evolves from here.

EurasiaNet: Specifically, what factors have to be in place before you could say their mission is completed?
Karzai: Obviously there are very many factors involved here. Among these I could mention the security situation on the ground, the decisions made by the Loya Jirga after its convening, and the establishment of a functioning police force. When these are all achieved and the scourge of terrorism is rooted out once and for all, only then their mission would be completed.

EurasiaNet: What about the issue of military bases? Has that been discussed?
Karzai: The United States is assisting us in the fight against terrorism. It has pledged to continue assisting us at least till the opening of the Loya Jirga. We have recently held talks with it and discussed issues such as what you mentioned in generality. But right now it is at the level of exchange of opinion only.

EurasiaNet: What is your personal position on this [military bases]?
Karzai: I can not talk about something that is at the level of exchange of opinions.

EurasiaNet: There are some reports about your neighbors perhaps looking for spheres of influence in Afghanistan. For example, some say that Iran, through Ismail Khan [a veteran military commander who controls Western Herat Province], is influencing the situation in Western Afghanistan. Do you see any credence to these reports?
Karzai: The fact is we have very good relations with our neighbors. We would like to continue having good relations, particularly with Iran and Pakistan. We hope other countries would respect our independence.

EurasiaNet: What about Ismail Khan?
Karzai: Ismail Khan is an Afghan, he is a supporter of us. He is a mujahed [Islamic warrior] and a good man.

EurasiaNet: So the issue of Iran meddling is not pertinent?
Karzai: I have already answered you. Please don't repeat the question.

EurasiaNet: When is the Reconstruction Program going to get under way?
Karzai: It is going to start very soon. Right now we are at the planning stage, studying where to start...

EurasiaNet: What are some of the areas you plan to concentrate on?
Karzai: Many people know the issues we have under consideration. It starts with things like health care, building roads and schools, a telecommunication system, a banking system and the like. Our principal problem was lack of funds, which thankfully has been solved.

EurasiaNet: There is an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 foreign elements, chiefly from al Qaeda who may have slipped away. Do you know where they may be at present?
Karzai: Right now we are in hot pursuit of these people. Some are hiding out in mountains and some in caves. They have made a big transition, from being in power to being mere fugitives. We will pursue them wherever they may be Afghanistan.

EurasiaNet: You know there is a controversy on the treatment of al Qaeda prisoners held at the Guantanamo base in Cuba. There are a few Afghan citizens among these. What is your position on that?
Karzai: These people were all terrorists and they do not deserve a POW status in our opinion.

EurasiaNet: Those that believe these prisoners qualify for POW status point to cases like Nazi POW's who had committed atrocities and were held by the allies, but whose status did not stop them from being punished for their crimes.
Karzai: You said Nazi POW after the war. There was a war in Europe. There was no war in Afghanistan except the war they had waged against our people. They are common criminals. As such, after they are fully investigated and found guilty, they must be punished.

EurasiaNet: On the issue of women, what concrete steps is your administration taking to help the situation of Afghan women in general?
Karzai: We think their education has the highest priority for us. Women in Afghanistan will enjoy rights like women in other countries like Iran, like other places. They must be able to choose their own profession for example.

EurasiaNet: What about the veil?
Karzai: We are a Muslim country.

EurasiaNet: Does it mean the veil is obligatory?
Karzai: We are a Muslim Country.

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Posted February 7, 2002 © Eurasianet
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