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Revision as of 20:05, 23 January 2012
National Front of Afghanistan | |
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File:National Front of Afghanistan.jpg | |
Leaders | Ahmad Zia Massoud Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq Abdul Rashid Dostum |
Dates of operation | 2011 - present |
Active regions | Afghanistan |
Ideology | Islamic democracy Moderate Islam |
Opponents | Taliban, Inter-Services Intelligence (Pakistan), Al-Qaeda |
Battles and wars | War in Afghanistan (2001–present) |
The National Front of Afghanistan was established in late 2011 by Ahmad Zia Massoud, Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq and Abdul Rashid Dostum. It is generally regarded as a reformation of the United Front (Northern Alliance) which with U.S. air support removed the Taliban from power in late 2001. The National Front strongly opposes a return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan and retains significant military capabilities. The chairman of the National Front is Ahmad Zia Massoud, the younger brother of the anti-Taliban resistance leader Ahmad Shah Massoud who was assassinated two days before the September 11 attacks in 2001.
Berlin Statement
U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert wrote, "These leaders who fought with embedded Special Forces to initially defeat the Taliban represent over 60-percent of the Afghan people, yet are being entirely disregarded by the Obama and Karzai Administrations in negotiations."[1]
In January 2012, the National Front came out against a secretive US-Taliban-Pakistan deal. Ahmad Zia Massoud, Abdul Rashid Dostum, the Uzbek leader who leads the Junbish in northern Afghanistan; Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq, the Hazara Shia leader from Mazar-i-Sharif who heads the Hezb-e Wahdat; Amrullah Saleh, former head of Afghan intelligence - held talks with a group of four US congressmen in Berlin and issued a joint statement:
"We call for a national dialogue on a revised Constitution to correct the inherent flaws in the present power structure by decentralizing the political system, making it more compatible with the diverse political, social and cultural nature of Afghanistan. The Afghan people deserve and need a parliamentary form of democracy instead of a personality-centered Presidential system.
We firmly believe that any negotiation with the Taliban can only be acceptable, and therefore effective, if all parties to the conflict are involved in the process. The present form of discussions with the Taliban is flawed, as it excludes anti-Taliban Afghans. It must be recalled that the Taliban extremists and their Al-Qaeda supporters were defeated by Afghans resisting extremism with minimal human embedded support from the United States and International community. The present negotiations with the Taliban fail to take into account the risks, sacrifices and legitimate interests of the Afghans who ended the brutal oppression of all Afghans.
In order to speed the withdrawal of international forces, the participants believe it is essential to strengthen regional and national institutions that are inclusive and represent the concerns of all the communities of Afghanistan. The participants favor a change in the Electoral System from a Single Non Transferable Vote System to a nationally accepted variant of the Proportional Representation system with equal opportunities for both independent candidates, the political parties, or tribal representatives. We also support the election of Governors and empowerment of provincial councils. Such elected Governors and provincial councils should also have authority for such things as creating budgets and generating revenue, overseeing police and healthcare, as well as establishing educational authority, if they so desire."[2]
— National Front Berlin Statement, January 2012
The Asia Times writes: "This is the first time that the leadership of the Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara communities [of Afghanistan] has come to a common line of thinking ... In essence, the Northern Alliance is being resuscitated as a political entity. ... As the Northern Alliance groups see it, Pakistani strategy is to wait out the period between now and 2014 - the date set for the US troop withdrawal - and then regroup the Taliban and make a bid to capture power in Kabul. Their strong show of unity in Berlin suggests that they will not roll over and give way to an exclusive US-Taliban-Pakistan settlement being imposed on their nation."[3]
External links
- Yahya Massoud (brother of Ahmad Zia Massoud) / Djeyhoun Ostowar (Jan 12, 2012): Perspectives and prospects of negotiating with the Taliban
- Asia Times (Jan 12, 2012): There's more to peace than Taliban
- Protest of the National Front Hazara faction in Kabul 2008
See also
References
- ^ "Afghan Northern Alliance Allies Betrayed by Obama Administration; Meet with U.S. Congressmen in Berlin". January 9, 2012.
- ^ "Rep. Rohrabacher Leads Bipartisan Delegation's Afghanistan Strategy Session With National Front Leaders in Berlin". January 9, 2012.
- ^ "There is more to peace than Taliban". Asia Times. January 12, 2012.