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2002-06-11 Afghanistan

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2002-06-11 08:27 am|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 I've been of the opinion for quite some time that Zahir Shah, for all his manifest virtue, is simply too old, at 87, to resume the active role of head of state. Indeed, I'm even dubious about the "Father of the Nation" idea floated by Karzai, as mentioned above, being that it'd place all the burdens upon the old gentleman without the title to go with it. Nobody asked me, of course, and I doubt the loya jirga would pay any attention to me at all, but if, hypothetically speaking, they were in fact interested in restoring the monarchy after all, I'd counsel them to seek out Zahir Shah's heirs - he has several sons, and I'd imagine, grandsons as well - and judge their fitness to be king or head of state or Father of the Nation or what have you.

Mind you, I've heard plenty of worse ideas in my time than establishing a constitutional monarchy in Afghanistan. I just don't think, based solely on his very advanced age, that Zahir Shah is the man to do it, I'm sorry to say.

Posted by Joe 2002-06-11 15:40:49|| 2002-06-11 15:40:49|| Front Page Top

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