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Masood: Democracy and the people's vote is only way to go, we oppose extremism, terrorism, and drug trafficking
Continuing Omaid Weekly's coverage of the early April European tour of Ahmad Shah Masood, generalissimo of Afghanistan's national resistance force, the following is a summarized translation from the original Dari-Persian, as compiled by our senior correspondent Wais Nassery, of the transcription from the April 4 press conference, held at 11:30 a.m. in Paris.
(Ahmad Shah Masood) In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. I appreciate and thank all the ladies and gentlemen for coming. I am prepared to answer questions that relate to Afghanistan and the region.
Q: What organization or entity do you represent? ...
A: I have come to France as a representative of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and as a representative of the United National and Islamic Front of Afghanistan.
I represent an independent and free State with [an ancient] and continuing history in Asia. Throughout history, this State has preserved its independence, existing with its own unique culture, its own unique traditions, and its own civilization. And it shall continue to exist as an independent State, with its own unique culture, traditions, and customs.
Q: Are your forces adequate to [continue to] resist the Taliban and prevent their advancement?
A: Alhamdulillah [hallelujah or "Praise be to God"], compared to previous years, our forces are in better condition. And undoubtedly, if it were not for the Pakistani intervention, Pakistan Army soldiers, other foreign elements like Osama [bin Laden] and Pakistani taliban [fighting in Afghanistan], there would be no need for our forces. I am certain that the nation of Afghanistan itself, the people of Qandahar, and ethnic Pashtoons are themselves sufficient to defeat the Taliban.
All things considered, similar to the era of jihad against the Soviet Union, in no way will the Taliban, Osama bin Laden, along with the Pakistanis be victorious in this war in Afghanistan. And sooner or later, there will be a general [nationwide] uprising by the people of Afghanistan, culminating in the decisive and final defeat of the Pakistanis, Osama and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
I should also like to mention that the Taliban are not just in conflict with our military forces. In fact, today the Taliban have been distanced from the people, and these foreign forces along with the Taliban are in conflict with the people of Afghanistan, which is why their military victory is impossible.
Q: …What political agenda does the United Front have? That is, what type of government is desired after the inevitable fall of the Taliban? What differences do you have with the Taliban as regards women's rights…?
A: We believe that the future government should be formed by means of general elections, via the people's ballot, through the vote of both women and men. The only form of government able to ensure social justice and equality between Afghanistan's various ethnic groups is democracy and the people's vote.
Our future government and the Taliban will be incomparably different. We have always opposed and continue to oppose any kind of extremist or radical movements, even if they claim to be Islamic, and we do not believe they are good for Afghanistan, the region, or the world. As I have repeated earlier, we believe in elections with the participation of both women and men.
We fully respect human rights, we support it, we will protect it.
We prescribe against the cultivation and trafficking of illegal narcotics; we believe they are haram [forbidden by Islam], and they are detrimental to all humankind, and destructive to our own country.
As during the jihad, we fully oppose terrorism and terrorist activities. No one had ever witnessed a terrorist attack by the mujahideen, even when the Russians were in Afghanistan. Terrorism is wrong and we are against it.
We not only support women's education, women working, and women's participation in society, but we encourage it. Women can play an instrumental role in rebuilding the country after these many years of war. (Applause)
Q: What do you expect from Europe, and what is your opinion about the West's general position on Afghanistan?
A: We expect Europe to play a critical role in establishing peace in Afghanistan. In my opinion, the sacrifice of the people of Afghanistan against communism makes it obligatory for the world to help and assist the people of Afghanistan to achieve peace in their country.
Our major request is humanitarian assistance to the refugees, including helping to provide education and health care. ><
Coverage of the historic visit to
Europe by Ahmad Shah Masood,
supreme leader of Afghanistan's national resistance force
Omaid Weekly's coverage | Press Conference
International news
agencies' coverage | Photographic
coverage
Omaid Weekly initiates 10th year of publication
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
This issue marks the beginning of Omaid Weekly's tenth year of publication. Throughout the past nine years, we have brought to our readers the latest news on Afghanistan from Omaid Weekly reporters and international news agencies, as well as articles, commentaries and analyses by Afghan intellectuals, technocrats, religious and tribal leaders, and translations from the works of major non-Afghan journalists and analysts about Afghanistan's current affairs, politics, society, culture, traditions, religion and history. Our English page has sought to inform, enlighten and engage the Afghan youth and also non-Afghans whose interests lie in Afghanistan. And last year's initiative, www.omaid.com, has become one of the most visited Afghanistan-related Web sites on the Internet.
From the immense and positive response of our readers -- whether communicated by telephone, fax, email or a letter from even as far away as Kabul -- and from their continued support through their subscription to and purchase of the paper, we are assured that Omaid Weekly's efforts are not in vain. And to sustain the trust that we have established with our readers worldwide, Omaid Weekly has applied the highest standards of journalistic integrity while keeping as its primary goals dedication and devotion to the Afghan people and the cause of a free and united Afghanistan, and service to God and to country.
Omaid means "hope" in Dari-Persian. So again we begin this new year with great omaid in the promise of the Almighty, as written in the Holy Book, in that Afghanistan's struggle for sovereignty and unity will succeed, and that this year will bear the fruits that the sacrifice of the Afghans and the efforts of Afghanistan's patriot sons and daughters have long since sought, and to which cause Omaid Weekly has, God willing, contributed to the best of its capacity:
"Yes! whosoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is a doer of good, he has his reward from his Lord, and there is no fear for him nor shall he grieve." (Holy Quran, 2:112) ><
*From this week's English-language page
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