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Afghani Opposition: Differences Over
Trojan Horse
By Mutiallah Tayeb
DOHA, Qatar, Oct 14 (IslamOnline)- Afghani opposition sources who refused to be named reaffirmed that the Northern Alliance is the party to decide when and how an attack is to be orchestrated, and not the U.S. Secretary of Defense.
In a phone call with IslamOnline, the same sources added they did not want to be engaged in an uncalculated adventure, especially since the Taliban scenario is not clear yet.
They added that they would not accept to play the role of a Trojan horse for the benefit of other parties.
Observers believe that the early days of the U.S.-led attacks against Afghanistan witnessed harmony between leaders of the Afghani opposition and U.S. officials, then that harmony turned into caution, and many contradicting statements were released.
This change made some opposition leaders feel they were not included in any U.S. future agenda as far as their region is concerned, and that Washington wants to use them as ground troops to gain victory over the Taliban and Osama bin Laden, and then the U.S. would later open the door for other parties to assume power.
On Friday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld asked the Afghani Northern Alliance to attack Taliban forces already being hit by U.S.-led air strikes.
However, this was met with clear hesitation among opposition figures.
The partial progress achieved by the opposition troops in Ghour province in the center of the country, and Baghlan in the north, does not constitute any clear signs of those troops intentions to launch major offensives against the Taliban, as those areas are not believed to be important strategic points.
Some observers believe the Afghani opposition is cautious about any comprehensive military cooperation, so as not to emerge as a U.S. agent. but to desires to function independently.
Moreover, there are several currents within the Afghani opposition enjoying close relations with other countries like Iran, Russia and Uzbekistan. Such countries embrace different stances with regards to the U.S. military option, and they have different, if not conflicting interests, in Afghanistan and Central Asia.
Ousted Afghani president Burhan el-Din Rabbani believes the U.S. will not welcome his party, the Islamic Union, nor that of his ally, Abdulrasoul Sayyaf, in any future U.S.-led settlement in Afghanistan. "So, why bother and offer Washington free services?"
Rabbani and Sayyaf are trying to forge a new Afghani coalition that would include some Taliban elements, a direction favored by Pakistan, which fears the U.S. may impose a regime led by Zahir Shah, Afghanistan's former monarch, and foe of Pakistan.
The backbone of the opposition is late leader Ahmed Shah Masoud's Mujahideen Party, now led by General Mohammed Fahim, along with leaders of the Islamic Society (Rabbani's party).
There is concern that Uzbekistan may be planning to impose the Uzbek General Rashid Dostum on the Afghani scene, through its cooperation with Washington.
As for the Shi'ite Muslim Wahdat Party, it is hard to exclude Iranian influence over it, and that same influence also goes for the troops of ousted President Rabbani, whose strong ties also extend to include Moscow, which has declared its assistance to the Afghani opposition only through Fahim - Rabbani's defense minister - following the death of Masoud.
The political wing of Masoud's troops includes a number of Leftists, on top of whom is Abdullah Abdullah, Rabbani's foreign minister.
That wing is more flexible towards the idea of Zaher Shah's return, the Afgham monarch currently in exile in Italy, unlike what the military wing believe.
Meanwhile, other observers believe there are reasons for the Afghani opposition to delay a military move, most important of which is to follow a policy of wait and see policy waiting the results of the U.S.-led air strikes on the Taliban, and how such strikes may weaken the Taliban's military capabilities.
They added that the Afghani opposition is also waiting to receive military and financial aid, as well as trying to change the loyalties of some Taliban leaders, especially in the Northern and Western areas.
The Afghan opposition wants to assure a military victory now, and political domination later.
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