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November 30, 2001
KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- Talks on Afghanistan's political future gained momentum Thursday, with the Northern Alliance dropping its rejection of international security forces and moving closer to a power-sharing agreement to end Afghan suffering.
Both the alliance and the United Nations, which is sponsoring the talks among four Afghan factions, struck a positive note on the third day of bargaining. With the international community seeking an end to two decades of war, the Afghans are under pressure to decide by the weekend on security and an interim authority that would run the country until March, when a national council would convene.
"If we had not turned our back on Afghanistan 10 years ago, we would not be sitting here today," U.N. spokesman Ahmad Fawzi said. "But nevertheless, we are here."
"The Afghan problem has never had so much attention and will never again have such great attention. If we don't seize this opportunity, it will be a very grave mistake."
In a reversal that prompted new optimism, the Northern Alliance dropped its rejection of outside forces but said they could arrive only after an interim authority was in place.
"Our official stand is that once a transitional mechanism is established, and the need for international forces is felt, we are not opposed to the arrival of an international force," Northern Alliance chief delegate Younus Qanooni said.
Such a force is not needed at present because Northern Alliance forces are safeguarding the peace, he said, adding that foreign forces could come only "when it is seriously required." The alliance prefers a force drawn from Islamic nations.
On Wednesday, he said the Northern Alliance rejected an outside force.
Qanooni's turnaround brought the position of the Northern Alliance closer to the three other groups at the conference, representing the former King Mohammed Zaher Shah and two smaller exile groups. All three favor neutral forces to keep peace.
Qanooni said delegates were making progress on drawing up an interim administration.
"We have held more talks and made more progress," Qanooni said. "Today, I am more optimistic than yesterday about the outcome of this meeting."
Early indications have suggested a role for the former king, who has lived in exile in Rome since being ousted in a 1973 coup. He enjoys great respect among most Afghans and is seen as a rallying point for peace.
But there are differences on what role he should play. Abdul Sattar Sirat, the head of the ex-king's delegation, told reporters Thursday that his group wanted the former monarch to be the head of state and lead any interim supreme council.
The Northern Alliance says he can be a unifying force but cannot be head of state. Currently, alliance leader Burhanuddin Rabbani is recognized by the United Nations as Afghanistan's head of state.
"In principle, we have agreed on the formation of these two institutions. What still needs to be agreed is the list of people, its composition and how it should be formed," Sirat said. "We are working on the number of members and also the names of the members."