INFLUENTIAL AFGHAN LEADER HOPEFUL ON LOYA JIRGA PROSPECTS
A Q&A with Burhanuddin Rabbani
Conducted by Camelia Entekhabi-Fard: 4/15/02

Afghans have started the process of selecting delegates to the Loya Jirga, or grand tribal council, which, under the guidelines established by the Bonn Peace Conference last December, will begin the task of creating a new constitutional framework for Afghanistan. One of the key figures at the Bonn process was Burhanuddin Rabbani, the long-time leader of the Northern Alliance who headed the Mujaheddin government that was ousted from Kabul by the Taliban in 1996. Rabbani's influence has waned since Hamid Karzai's interim government was installed in late December. Rabbani spoke to EurasiaNet contributor Camelia Entekhabi-Fard about the upcoming Loya Jirga and about Afghanistan's future. The text of his comments follows:

EurasiaNet: Can you tell us why your role was not highlighted in the Bonn conference?
Rabbani: At the Bonn Conference, the UN people and I suggested after the victory in Afghanistan we need to have a temporary government. So, naturally I couldn't be the head of a temporary government. When the people engaged Karzai for his position and his cabinet was put together, I was involved and I agreed to a power-transfer, the same way I agreed to a temporary government. When power transferred, I couldn't be the head again. … But I announced I'm ready to help and work with Karzai and still I continue. I knew Karzai. His father was my friend. We faced a most sensitive and critical fact. The Taliban comes from the south, [based in] Khandahar, and the Northern Alliance fought against them. The danger was in animosity between north and south. It was very dangerous. I wanted to show the people it was not a problem, that no problem between the north and the south existed, that we were all Afghans, not Tajiks, or Uzbeks, or Hazaras, or Pashtuns. We engaged with Karzai to show our [party] was for alliance and unity between all parts of the country.

EurasiaNet: Is it possible that may be return to the political picture with the Loya Jirga, and that you may be the head of the next government?
Rabbani: We have to endeavor at the Loya Jirga to have a healthy election with the determination of our people. … If there be no intervention from outside in the domestic affairs of Afghanistan, I think we will have a good Loya Jirga - one that would stop the threat of terrorism.

EurasiaNet: Do you have any comments about the composition of the Loya Jirga's election commission? Do you like its present form?
Rabbani: I know some of them. I don't have any personal problem with any of them. But if they consulted with me , I would introduce a few other ones. But the group is making good progress. I like the work they are doing.

EurasiaNet: The former king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, is expected to return soon, probably around April 18. What do you think about his position within Afghanistan's future political framework?
Rabbani: I do not support the idea of monarchy for Afghanistan. But I agree about his trip back home. Afghanistan is his homeland. When I was in the north I sent an invitation for him. I wanted Zahir Khan [meaning Mr. Zahir in Dari] to come back home because it is his right. On the other hand, the world has moved towards a republician form of government, and not a monarchy.

EurasiaNet: I would like to know your view about the American military presence in Afghanistan. First, are you in general happy with the job the US forces have done so far?
Rabbani: They have come here to help us fight against terrorism and al Qaeda, and they helped us a lot. They played a positive role in peacekeeping also.

EurasiaNet: Would you be in support of a longer-term commitment by them as well?
Rabbani: I think I am not in a position to talk about it. I think the Loya Jirga could study [this issue] and give the final word.

Editor's Note: Camelia Entekhabi-Fard is a journalist who specializes in Afghan and Iranian affairs. She is currently in Afghanistan reporting for EurasiaNet.

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Posted April 15, 2002 © Eurasianet
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