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| Afghanistan |
| Iran dumps Hek's family |
| 2003-02-23 |
| Iran has quietly ordered the family of Gulbaddin Hekmatyar, the renegade Afghan warlord, to leave the country in an effort to sever its ties to an individual linked to global terrorism, as it seeks a role in a postwar Iraq, a senior Pakistani official said. The official, citing intelligence information, said that one of Mr Hekmatyar's "Mrs Hekmatyar, the Islamic Republic of course regards you as an honored guest..." On Wednesday, the Bush administration froze all US assets held by Mr Hekmatyar. "Because of his terrorist activity, the United States is designating Hekmatyar as a specially designated global terrorist under the authority of executive order 13224," said Richard Boucher, the State Department spokesman. "... but if you can't pay your rent, we're afraid you're gonna have to get the hell out." Pakistani officials also said Iran was keen to see Iraq's Shia Muslim community emerge as a significant participant in a new post-war order. Tehran hopes a significant Shia presence in a new regime would make it more friendly towards Iran - the world's largest Shia Muslim country. "Iran probably believes its interests are best served by cutting itself off from Hekmatyar, who is certain to remain wanted by the Americans," added the Pakistani official. It's a strange situation where somebody makes the Iranians look reasonable. Luckily, Hek also makes them look subtle. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |