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Ex-King's
Camp Has Mixed Reactions to Kabul's Fall
PARIS, Nov 13 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The camp of Afghanistan's ex-king showed mixed reaction to the unexpected capture of the capital Kabul by Northern Alliance troops early Tuesday following the Taliban's withdrawal overnight.
Abdul Sattar Sirat, a top aide to former monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah, accused the Northern Alliance of breaking a deal with the exiled king by entering Kabul, while Zahir Shah's son, Mirwais Zahir, welcomed the fall of the city as good news.
In telephone interviews with Agence France-Presse (AFP) from Rome, both however urged Alliance leaders to establish law and order and to protect civilian lives and property.
Sirat said the exiled king was concerned about the safety of the residents and that his entourage was surprised by the unexpected fall of the capital, which he said was contrary to an agreement to keep military forces out of Kabul.
"This was something new and beyond our expectations. It was agreed before that Kabul be demilitarized," he said.
"We do not know the reason why [they entered Kabul], but we are concerned about the safety of the people's lives and property," Sirat said. "His Majesty is concerned about the safety of the people."
Sirat is believed to be more influential in outlining Zahir Shah's policies than his son.
Ignoring repeated warnings from Washington and London that they should not enter Kabul until a broad-based government in the country can be established, Alliance forces marched on the Afghan capital Tuesday at dawn, taking everyone - including the ex-king - by surprise.
Zahir Shah, who has lived in Rome since 1963 after being overthrown by his cousin Mohammed Daoud, has been at the center of U.S. efforts to find a replacement government for the Taliban movement.
Many thought his tribal supporters in southern Afghanistan would be the first to overthrow the Taliban and to take the capital once the group started cracking under the sustained U.S. aerial bombardment, which started October 7.
A senior anti-Taliban official, Younis Qanooni, in Kabul told AFP Tuesday that the Alliance has no plans to rule the country and remains committed to a peace process under the ex-king.
"We are just here to keep security and stop criminals from bothering our citizens," Qanooni said.
Sirat, however, complained that the Alliance's move into Kabul went against a previous joint agreement that a security and administrative body be assigned to take charge of affairs in Kabul in the event of a Taliban defeat.
"This military occupation should have been avoided. Things have gone beyond the political process framework," he said.
Mirwais Zahir, 44, Zahir Shah's youngest son, welcomed the fall of Kabul and praised the new pledge by the victorious Northern Alliance to remain committed to the peace process under his father.
"It is a good news. Their commitment is quite praiseworthy. It is good that they seem to be standing by the promises they have made," he told AFP.
"We hope the issue of governing Kabul is solved as soon as possible," he added.
Mirwais called upon Northern Alliance forces not to repeat the past mistakes of 1992-1996 when one-third of the capital was destroyed under its chaotic rule, thousands of citizens killed in factional fighting for power and thousands of women were raped or sexually assaulted by Northern Alliance troops.
"We do not want a repetition of bloodshed, so that all of us can go back home to rebuild our dear land," he said.
He urged Alliance leaders to be "vigilant" and to keep in mind the country's best interests.
Southern tribesmen are also ready to move on Taliban positions in their areas, the ex-prince predicted.
"We receive phone calls every day to tell us of their readiness," Mirwais said.
"We hope all our countrymen stand united in rebuilding the country," he added, warning against renewed tribal and factional bickering.
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