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Published in issues #522 on 22 April 2002 and #523 on
29 April 2002*
Pursuing of the way of
Ahmad Shah Masood (ra), historic Afghan gathering endorses moderate
Afghanistan
(Issue #522)
Continued from "Large,
historic Afghan body expresses support for Interim Authority,
political movements" published in issue #520, following is
a summarized translation of Omaid Weekly's exclusive report on the
second gathering of the London Consultative Meeting.
By Omaid Weekly staff
Following the recommendations of the first London Consultative
Meeting, which commenced in June 2001 under the banner of
"supporting the national resistance," the second gathering
of the Consultative Meeting took place last month on March 30 and 31
in the British capital. The first day of the CM was initiated with
the recitation of a verse of the Holy Quran. The gathering --
composed of 200 of Afghanistan's leading intellectuals, scholars,
technocrats, politicians, and notable national figures -- was then
addressed by Afghanistan's designate ambassador to Britain, Mr.
Ahmad Wali Masood.
Mr. Masood said that during last year's April visit to Europe by
Ahmad Shah Masood (rahmatullah alaih—God's blessings upon him),
Afghanistan's martyred national leader, the commander of the
country's resistance force spoke of the need for Afghan
intelligentsia in Europe and the United States to unify behind the
fight and resistance of the people of Afghanistan against the Osama
bin Laden-Pakistan-Taliban evil axis. Hence, Afghanistan's
resistance leader supported the idea of the formation of a
consultative body, thus leading to the first CM assembly, last year.
While the recommendations of the initial CM assembly went mostly
unrealized -- due to arising difficulties known to all -- the
gathering was still, in and of itself, historic. However, the
dedicated participants of that assembly worked diligently throughout
this time, and the second round of the CM was organized with a much
larger body of Afghan intelligentsia.
Pointing out the far reaching plans of Ahmad Shah Masood (ra) for
the reconstruction of the country, Afghanistan's ambassador to
Britain called on all Afghan professionals and skilled workers to
cooperate with the Interim Authority to put into action these plans
to rebuild their nation.
The ambassador said the CM must pursue the vision Ahmad Shah
Masood (ra), and by its principles work for the reconstruction of
Afghanistan.
Following the opening speech, the gathering listened to a new
ballad in praise and tribute to Ahmad Shah Masood (ra), sung by Mr.
Wahid Qassemi, one of Afghanistan's most popular artists. The
encomium deeply affected the CM participants and highlighted the
sense of reverence and awe of the Afghan people for their martyred
hero. (This dedication is included in the new Wahid Qassemi CD,
produced by the proprietor of the northern Virginia-based Afghan
Market, Mr. Rafi Habibi, which will soon be available in local
Afghan stores in the United States and Europe.)
Informing the CM of the most recent events in Afghanistan, Mr.
Younus Qanooni then assumed the podium to apprise the gathering of
the achievements of the Interim Authority and highlight the return
of peace and security to Kabul. Mr. Qanooni, Afghanistan's interior
minister, said, "Last year, [Ahmad Shah] Masood the Great [ra]
led the resistance. While he is no longer among us, his vision lives
on, and we must strive to achieve it. Today, Afghanistan begins a
new page in history."
The interior minister added, "Masood the Great [ra] wanted a
new, modern, and civil Afghanistan. Now that our country is no
longer a battleground, Afghanistan has entered a political stage,
and [Afghanistan's success] today is a manifestation of and rooted
in the endeavors of Masood the Great [ra]. In that regard, it is not
possible to picture anything except national unity in Afghanistan,
and no political movement can survive without espousing national
unity.
"Moderate [political] thinking can build the future of
Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, the fighting was never ethnic based,
nor was there a civil war. The fighting was always political with
foreign incitement. Moderation is a must in all matters. The era of
slogans has ended in Afghanistan. All ethnic groups in Afghanistan
are united. Ethnic strife must be and is rejected and condemned, and
it is unacceptable in our nation. We must work moderate, think
moderate. We must draw on moderate religious principles. The sacred
religion of Islam is not an extremist or fanatic ideology, and we
Afghans know Islam to be a moderate religion.
"Political moderation is the most important element. We
reject monopolistic and monolithic politics. Deviation from a
moderate political path has led to failed politics in Afghanistan.
Today, Afghanistan finds itself in a special situation. The Interim
Authority has been able to achieve national unity. There is an
intimate bond and special trust between members of the provisional
government. In the past few months, Afghanistan has taken positive
steps. And that which was miraculously solved was ethnic division, a
problem which Afghans abroad must also solve."
Mr. Qanooni said that although peace has returned to Afghanistan,
the people must strive for its preservation. The interior minister
stressed the importance of the advent of a wholly new political
environment in Afghanistan that promotes the position and role of
women and intellectuals.
Concluding his remarks, Mr. Qanooni said, "Rumors are heard
that there exists discord between members of the [Interim Authority]
cabinet, which is not true. We work with Mr. Karzai with the same
dedication and closeness as we worked with our martyred Commander
[Masood]. The current members of the provisional government hold an
efficacious view of rebuilding Afghanistan; we all denounce and
despise ethnic strife; national unity, territorial integrity, and
the reconstruction of Afghanistan are the desired objects of all
members of the provisional government."
The gathering responded with a warm, heartfelt applause to Mr.
Qanooni's inspiring remarks.
Ms. Nadia Fazel and Mr. Al-haj Amanulmulk Jalala were appointed
assistant chairs to Mr. Qanooni in the CM. Messrs. Said Faizi and
Sakhi Ghairat were appointed as secretaries of the CM.
Concluded in our next issue...
Top
Misunderstandings about the
Loya Jirga
(Issue #522)
By Yama Jaweid Shamreiz
Recently, there has been a great deal of speculation about the
decisions that the upcoming Loya Jirga [eds: Grand National
Assembly] would make affecting the future political institutions
of Afghanistan.
Some have gone as far as predicting the immediate restoration
of the monarchy as an outcome of the Loya Jirga, which will be
held in June. However, I think there are misunderstandings
revolving around the text of the historic Bonn agreement that was
signed by all relevant Afghan parties and sponsored by the United
Nations.
According to the Bonn agreement, which if followed should
provide a stable foundation for the future government and
political environment in Afghanistan, the first Loya Jirga will
only elect a transitional government for a period of eighteen
months. After that period of one year and six months, the
agreement calls for free elections.
This Loya Jirga, which must abide by the text of the Bonn
agreement to insure its legitimacy, will select a committee that
will then present a draft for a new constitution. The draft would
then have to be ratified by a second Loya Jirga.
It is only after ratification by this second Loya Jirga that
the constitution and political nature of the future institutions
of the country are determined.
Therefore, if the Afghan people want a restoration of the
monarchy or a republic, they may choose only after the
transitional government has ended its tenure at the end of 2003.
As such, we should let the people decide and not spread rumor and
possibly damaging speculations, as has been done by so-called
Western analysts and reporters. ><
Top
Government declares Ahmad Shah
Masood Afghanistan's national hero
As nation celebrates Mujahideen victory over
communism
By Omaid Weekly staff
On Sunday, the people of Afghanistan, across the country and
those abroad, celebrated the anniversary of the victory of the
nation and its Mujahideen freedom fighters against communism in
April 1992. While the Soviet Union was driven out of Afghanistan
in 1989, and the world was thus saved of the Red menace and
communism upon its eventual collapse, Afghanistan's communist
regime was overthrown on 28 April 1992 by Afghanistan's mujahideen
led by Ahmad Shah Masood (rahmatullah alaih– God's blessings
upon him) who liberated Kabul in a bloodless march.
While the people of Afghanistan have already bestowed their
martyred leader with the highest of cultural accolades and even
religious honors — as many now visit his burial site for
spiritual blessing — the government of Afghanistan on Sunday
officially declared Ahmad Shah Masood (ra) as "Afghanistan's
national hero."
Omaid Weekly also congratulates the nation of Afghanistan on
the anniversary of its victory over the Soviet Union and
communism, and joins the people of Afghanistan in evoking the
blessings of the Almighty on our shared national hero, and asking
for the continued success of the way of Masood. ><
Top
Afghan gathering outlines
path for Afghanistan's future
National Movement of Afghanistan to be formed inside
country
Concluded from "Large,
historic Afghan body expresses support for Interim Authority,
political movements" published in issue #520, and "Pursuing
of the way of Ahmad Shah Masood (ra), historic Afghan gathering
endorses moderate Afghanistan" published in issue #522,
following is a summarized translation of Omaid Weekly's exclusive
report on the second gathering of the London Consultative Meeting.
By Omaid Weekly staff
Dr. Abdullah, Afghanistan's minister for foreign affairs, spoke
next at the Consultative Meeting. He began his remarks with a
verse from an Afghan poet from the central province of Bamyan,
which ended with:
Masood, your caravan has reached seventh heaven
Command it to proceed even further on
Referring back to the stanza, Dr. Abdullah said, "The
caravan began its journey with the jihad of the [Afghan] people
[against the Soviet Union]; it has now reached its desired
destination. There were two purposes for which our people
sacrificed: freedom and the right of self-determination. And the
government is determined to help the people realize these
goals."
Addressing the foreign policy of Afghanistan, the Minister for
Foreign Affairs said, "In the past, Afghanistan never had a
genuinely independent foreign policy, even though it did emphasize
a non-aligned and positive foreign policy. This void, however, led
neighboring countries to take undue advantage and attempt to take
over our country. Such [foreign imposed] bloodshed continued until
the end of the savage Taliban regime.
"The presence of the Taliban was deemed fruitful by
Pakistan, but after September 9 [the day Ahmad Shah Masood
(rahmatullah alaih—God's blessings upon him) was martyred by al
Qaida] and September 11 [the day of the al Qaida terrorist attacks
in the United States] the world changed its policy vis-ŕ-vis
Afghanistan.
"The independence of Afghanistan [from the Pakistan-Osama
bin Laden-Taliban axis] brought forth a new environment.
Accordingly, Afghanistan's foreign policy is one of goodwill
toward our neighbors and friendly relations with all countries,
with special attention to mutual respect and
non-interference."
Dr. Abdullah mentioned that Kabul is now host to embassies from
more than 30 countries. And most international aid organizations,
including agencies affiliated with the United Nations, now have
offices in the capital. In addition to foreign policy matters, the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs is also exceptionally busy with
attracting foreign assistance.
With regard to Afghanistan's neighbors, Dr. Abdullah said that
at least outwardly regional countries have supported the Bonn
process and the Interim Authority. "We espouse neighborliness
so long as our neighbors return the favor," said Dr.
Abdullah, perhaps pointing out the suffering of Afghanistan at the
hands of its neighbors -- primarily Pakistan and the former Soviet
Union -- during the past two decades. "We are self-aware and
we are conscious of our neighbor's movements," remarked Dr.
Abdullah, "and our neighbors should have learned a valuable
lesson from the [recent and previous] pages of history."
When Dr. Abdullah finished his well-received statement, CM
chair Mr. Mohammad Younus Qanooni, Afghanistan's interior
minister, asked a set of agenda setting questions from the
audience of Afghan intelligentsia:
"What we want to hear from you is, what are your thoughts
on Afghanistan? The only objective we strive for is the rise and
advancement of Afghanistan. What are your views on the Loya Jirga
[Grand National Assembly], reconstruction, and the future? What
should be done to circumvent a return to past troubles?
Knowledgeable [Afghans] are gathered [in the CM] from around the
world; we wish to benefit from your advice and guidance. What
should we do for the future of Afghanistan?"
Responding to Mr. Qanooni's request, a number of CM
participants spoke on the pressing matters mentioned by the
Minister for Interior Affairs. The speakers, both men and women
drawn from Afghanistan's limited population of intellectuals and
technocrats, were: Dr. Ehsan Intezar, Mr. Mohammad Zaher Aziz, Mr.
Shaheed Rahmani, Mr. Qased, Prof. Rassoul Rahin, Mr. Naseer Khalid,
Mr. Esmati, Mr. Al-haj Mohammad Akbar Sherzad, Mr. Abdul Majid
Sekandari, Mr. Latif Pedram, Mr. Mohammad Yousof Roshanfekr, Mr.
Ismail Karimpour, Mr. Nasir Mehrin, Ms. Sima Ghani, Mr. Sultan-salar
Azizpour, Ms. Shahla Popal, Dr. Mansour Shamal, Ms. Nadia Fazel,
Dr. Zalmay Haqqani, Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Dastgeer, Dr. Hashim Zai,
Mr. Daud Azizi, Mr. Mohammad Monajemzada, Mr. Najib Janbaz, Mr.
Amanulmulk Jalala, Mr. Hotak, Mr. Sakhi Ghairat, Mr. Hedayat
Bagramwal, Mr. Rahmatullah Bejanpour, Dr. Karim Gharzi, Dr. Aslam
Khamosh, Mr. Khalilullah Rahimi, Mr. Khwaja Rassoul, Mr. Ghulam
Sakhi Oruzgani, and editor in chief of Omaid Weekly, Mr. Mohammad
Qawi Koshan.
In addition to the social and political topics that dominated
the CM, the gathering was also provided with a spiritual
atmosphere, characteristically Afghan, by a number of well-known
and up and coming Afghan poets and poetesses, such as Mr. Shabgir
Poladian, Mr. Shaheed Rahmani, Ms. Shahla Popal, Ms. Nadia Fazel,
Mr. Qasid, Mr. Bairang Kohdamani, and still others.
Three commissions formed the heart of the CM mission:
cultural-economic, political, and reconstruction. Participants of
these three commissions discussed and debated in detail the best
route for Afghanistan to restore and protect its culture, revive
its economy, renew and form its political system, and proceed with
the monumental task of reconstruction.
The findings and results of these commissions were then
presented to the general assembly. After further deliberation, the
general assembly drafted a resolution [eds: see "Large,
historic Afghan body expresses support for Interim Authority,
political movements" published in Omaid Weekly issue #520]
that among other important points expressed full support of the
Bonn process and the Interim Authority, called for the guarantee
of basic civil and social rights, and highlighted the need for
"political pluralism" and political movements. According
to the resolution, the CM will dispatch a ten-member "contact
group" to Afghanistan to establish links with the people,
organizations, and government. The executive body of the CM was
assigned to facilitate the continued activity of this large,
historic Afghan body and to organize a third gathering.
The second session of the CM ended at 8 p.m. on March 31 in a
climate of patriotism, activism, brotherhood and national unity
among the participants who hailed from all parts and ethnic and
religious groups in Afghanistan.
It was also decided that in summer 2002, the ten member
committee would travel to Afghanistan to begin work on the
formation of the National Movement of Afghanistan. ><
Top
*From this week's English-language page
of the hard-copy edition of
Omaid Weekly. Visit the Subscription page for details on how to
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