Afghans call on US for deal with insurgents

Sayed Karim, Foreign Correspondent

• Last Updated: September 25. 2009 12:34AM UAE / September 24. 2009 8:34PM GMT

GARDEZ, AFGHANISTAN // There will be no peace in Afghanistan until the government strikes deals with senior insurgent leaders, say members of one of the country’s biggest political movements.

Hizb-e-Islami – the Islamic Party – was instrumental in the jihad against Soviet occupation and the civil war that followed.

Its founder, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, is now the head of a militant faction fighting the occupation across the north and east of the country, while many of his allies hold key positions in the government and parliament.

Here in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, the political wing of the party operates freely from a set of offices. Members insist they no longer have links with those who have taken up arms, but they also say the international community needs to realise that talks with the rebels are the only way to stop the escalating conflict.

“They should read history because Afghans do not agree with foreigners and these people are also part of Afghanistan,” said Fazel Rabi Johar, the director of Hizb-e-Islami here.

Mr Hekmatyar was arguably the most notorious of all the Mujahideen leaders in the struggle against Soviet occupation. A Sunni extremist educated at Kabul University, his men gained notoriety for their ruthlessness on the battlefield, often brutally attacking and killing rival members of the resistance.

He went on to play a crucial role in the civil war from 1992 to 1996, sending rockets raining down on the nation’s capital and serving for a time as prime minister.

During the Taliban regime he lived in exile in Iran, but after the US-led invasion he allied himself with al Qa’eda and vowed to fight the Afghan government and foreign troops until the occupation ended.

Many of his old friends and colleagues outwardly chose a different path, although there is a widespread suspicion that the political and militant factions remain in close contact.

The Paktia shura of Hizb-e-Islami contains 30 people. Members refer to Mr Hekmatyar respectfully as “Hekmatyar Sahib”.

“Sometimes the international forces send representatives here, but we tell them we don’t have people for fighting. We are involved in normal political work in the country and this kind of activity is the right of every Afghan,” said Mr Johar.

Rumours of an imminent deal between Mr Hekmatyar and the government have arisen frequently over the years before always coming to nothing. Whenever the rebel leader has issued statements through the media, he has shown no sign of backing down.

Mr Johar claimed “80 per cent of the people are unhappy with this government” and called for a negotiated settlement with Hizb-e-Islami insurgents and other militants.

“Until they make an agreement with the Taliban, who they call ‘the enemy’, I don’t think there will be peace in Afghanistan. The situation will get worse day by day,” he said.

Other party members in Paktia share the same view. Saher Gul was working as a soldier for the communist government when he was arrested on suspicion of being involved in the jihad and tortured. He later hunted down the men responsible and killed them, before fleeing to Pakistan and joining Mr Hekmatyar’s group.

“At that time all the world was with Hizb-e-Islami. America was helping us a lot, Islamic countries were helping us, the United Arab Emirates was helping us, and it was all because of the Russians,” the 56-year-old said.

When the US invaded, Mr Gul fought against the Taliban, but then local informants reported that he was in Hizb-e-Islami. He claims the Americans subsequently bombed his home, killing six of his family and injuring 15.

A traditional nationwide meeting of tribal elders and religious leaders, known as a Loya Jirga, should be convened and heads of the insurgency invited, he said. “They should not arrest them because they have also done jihad and they have lost their own people. The government should ask them to come, give them positions and create the opportunity for them to take part in an election. This is the way to bring peace.”

The commander of US and Nato forces has identified Mr Hekmatyar’s network as one of three main insurgent groups. In an in-depth report into the war recently leaked to the Washington Post, Gen Stanley McChrystal, the commander of US and Nato forces in Afghanistan, wrote that the rebel leader “seeks control of mineral wealth and smuggling routes in the east”. His aim is “to negotiate a major role” in any future Taliban regime”.

Ustad Mohammad Ali lost an eye and is partially paralysed as a result of a suicide attack. Despite this, the Hizb-e-Islami member also said talks with the militants were essential.

“If the government and the world help us, give us an opportunity, accept Hekmatyar Sahib and stop chasing him, then soon there will be peace, law and a good government in Afghanistan,” he said.



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