Taliban Disunity

The USG Open Source Center translates an article from a Dari-Persian newspaper in Afghanistan that argues the revived Taliban are so factionalized that there would be no point in trying to talk to them.

'Afghan daily says Taleban groups not unified, talks impossible
Cheragh (Light)
Monday, October 1, 2007
Document Type: OSC Translated Text


Afghan daily says Taleban groups not unified, talks impossible

Text of report by independent Afghan newspaper Cheragh on 26 September

The Taleban are divided into the following groups: 1. Afghan Taleban. 2. Foreign Taleban, including Arab, Uzbek, Chechens, Kashmiris and Taleban from Pakistani tribes. The Taleban do not have a unified military structure, they operating like small groups. Ultimately, they are ruled by a 30-member council. Every Taleban commander has autonomy in the region under his command. The Taleban have a loose structure. Moreover, Pakistani officers influence their activities. Each Taleban commander has limited authority in the region under his command. Hence, holding talks with the Taleban is very difficult since they do not have one decisive leader.

The intensification of discord between the government and the National United Front on holding talks with the Taleban has been to the benefit of the Taleban. Hence, the Taleban want to intensify discord between the government administrations in Kabul and benefit from the political and military opportunities at this important stage. The Taleban give a green light for holding talks for the two groups in the government to keep the two sides hopeful.

Taleban will win the game as they won the game they played with the (kidnapped) South Koreans.
Discord and fighting will never with peace and solidarity. The people of Afghanistan badly need peace and everlasting security. Experience shows that fighting and discord can in no way benefit any group, faction, tribe or region. There is no winner in fighting. National solidarity, political stability, central sovereignty, participation in social and political affairs and approaching the people's rights will be put into practice when the social and political forces take action considering their mutual belief and mutual benefits.
Fighting, peace and competition should be defined under a rule to reach their goals. The mechanisms for approaching the targets should be assessed logically. Otherwise, fighting will result in the country's destruction, calamity and no other results.

Now, the abovementioned matters should be considered for holding talks with the Taleban to result in a transparent and consistent outcome. No political or social logic rejects holding talks. But what is very important is that the principles of negotiations should be clear. These principles are not something mental or ceremonial.

But, it should rely on country's condition. Taleban, as a military group, have frequently tried to get in power in the country. Once they approached their target. But they were not able to hold onto power. Hence, it is clear that controlling the country is a high priority for the power of a particular and individual group. Transparent administration will be possible when all the people and the political parties feel their coordination and determination in the political forum.

Getting absolute power has had negative results in human's history.

Perhaps a kind of political and social anarchism will appear. In today's world, the government will achieve success when it pays respect to principles. Disrespecting the principles and relying on military forces will not be successful.

On talks between the Afghan government and Taleban, we could say that if these comments have been stated fairly, we could be hopeful of the talks and it will surely have positive results.

But, if the goals are to deal and get opportunities for running their own targets, it will never have positive results and they will stir up the insecurity. Achieving peace and security in Afghanistan seems to be difficult.

Promises and commitments are postponed very often in this land. Politics and society in Afghanistan are lacking principles. Hence, the people of Afghanistan have not seen prosperity over the past years.
Now, we expect the politicians to awake from their ignorance dreams and we urge the international community to deem it its responsibility with confidence to ensure peace and stability in the country.

Because ensuring peace and stability is one of the main responsibilities of the international community and of the international coalition. There are already negative and positive forecasts on the probable talks of the Taleban with the government, considering all these, we could say that the way is clear for both sides, who claim to be honest, to act very honestly at least once. The examination should be free of cheating and deceiving. Then, we can be hopeful that the situation is paved for peace and stability. If it is against what we said, proposal of talks would be a short-term deal. It will be intangible and unsustainable as if they come to a conclusion. But, if it did not carry positive results, it will be an opportunity for preparations and resumption of fighting.

(Description of Source: Kabul Cheragh (Light) in Dari -- Eight-page independent daily, publishes political, social and cultural articles; critical of the transitional government) '