Organization: The American University - University Computing Center
Date: Monday, 13 Apr 1992 20:27:22 EDT
From: <OMARS@auvm.american.edu>
Newsgroups: soc.culture.afghanistan
Subject: news.bulletin #7

Translated and edited by Omar Samad.
Afghanistan-related news as reported by Ariana Afghan TV (broadcast to 60 U.S.
cities) for the week ending 4/12/92 is as follows:

The Arab readership may find item #5 of this news bulletin of particular
interest.

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Item 1:  According to diplomatic sources in Kabul, Najib is expected to
         step down from power by the end of April, even if a transitional
         governemnt is not in place by then. The report adds that he has shown
         willingness to transfer power to a neutral council representing
         the various ethnic and tribal groups. According to the United
         Nations-sponsored peace plan, this council will act as a precursor
         to the transitional government, which in turn will be responsible to
         organize and prepare for general elections some time in the future.
         The Indian daily Pioneer reports that Najib may be seeking asylum
         in India.

Item 2:  UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali announced in Geneva that
         almost all Afghan sides involved in the peace process have agreed
         to the idea of a 15-man council that would soon take charge of the
         government in Kabul following Najib's departure. Talking to reporters
         on April 10, Boutros-Ghali did not mention anything about Najib's
         fate and said as soon as the council takes charge, hostilities would
         cease and a general amnesty would be declared.

Item 3:  Reacting to the UN chief's announcement, president Bush welcomed
         the news. The State Department called it an important step in the
         direction of peace and called for an end to the state of war and
         the right to self-determination for Afghans. Pakistani prime minister
         Nawaz Sharif also welcomed the new initiative. On the Afghan side,
         the three Mujahedeen parties Jabha-e Nejat Melli (headed by Mujadedi),
         Mahaz Melli wa Islami (headed by Guilani) and Harakat-e Inqilab Islami
         (headed by Mohamadi) voiced their support of the UN plan, but the two
         parties, Hezbi Islami (Khales) and Etehd-e Islami (Sayaf) have shown
         displeasure with the new proposals. Hikmatyar's Hezb-e Islami party
         said it would oppose the selection of any council member who may
         either be a supporter of former king Zahir Shah or any individual
         mho may be considered anti-mujahedeen.

Item 4:  Special UN representative for Afghanistan Benon Sevan said Pakistan
         has agreed to send foodstuff to Afghanistan. A severe shortage of food
         is currently gripping the country, including Kabul, which has been
         the scene of riots in the past few weeks. Pakistan is planning to
         send 12 plane-loads and numerous truck-loads of wheat to Kabul. The
         reaction to this announcement has been mixed among the Mujahedeen.
         Hikmatyar, Sayaf and Khales have condemned this action, whilst others,
         including famed commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, have supported the
         effort.

Item 5:  The United States government has posted an advisory warning for its
         citizens not to travel to Afghanistan in light of internal conflicts
         there. The U.S. shut its embassy in Kabul in 1989.
         Also, the Pakistani government has advised all Arab nationals working
         with the Mujahedeen in Pakistan to leave the country as soon as their
         visas expire. Since 1979, over 10,000 Arab nationals from various
         countries have taken part in the Afghan Jihad on the side of the
         Mujahedeen, and an estimated 500 arabs have died in the process.
         The decision came at the behest of the Saudi government who has
         shown weariness about some of its nationals meddling in Afghan
         affairs. According to the Al-Bonian news agency, the UN has been
         pressuring Arab states to curtail the private monetary donations
         given to certain Afghan parties, specially the ones headed by
         Hikmatyar, Sayaf and Rabani, all known for their "fundementalist"
         bent. It is reported that several foreign nationals were lately
         killed inside Afghanistan. Many Afghans have shown displeasure
         with the heavyhanded approach of some foreign nationals who have
         used monetary resources to spread the Wahabi sect of Islam in
         Afghanistan and have at times used their supporters to harass
         other Afghans, specially women, and use violence against them.
         The recent killings were in reprisal for the violence and
         interference by these Arab nationals.

Item 6:  Rebellious militias and their Mujahedeen allies in the
         Northern provinces of Afghanistan have set up their own autonomous
         administration in the city of Mazar-i Sharif, defying governmental
         (Najib) forces who lost control of the region two weeks ago.
         The new administration which is composed of ethnic Uzbeks and
         Tadjiks and are opposed to the traditionally dominant Pashtoon
         (Pathan) rule is headed by a former Najib ally Rashid Dostam and
         Sayed Manssoor Naderi. In an interview with Reuters, Dostam
         accused Najib of betrayal. Dostam and his new allies have also
         demanded for representation in the council that has recently been
         proposed by the UN to replace the current Kabul regime.

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Newsgroups: soc.culture.arabic