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| Afghanistan |
| Hizb-e-Islami issues a new communique |
| 2003-01-11 |
| RFE/RL Qutbuddin Hilal, a member of the Hizb-e Islami speaking on behalf of the party's council, issued a communique in Peshawar on 9 January outlining the party's policies in six points, Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported. Hilal refuted recent reports of a rift within the party and denied any political or structural connections between Hizb-e Islami and the Taliban or Al-Qaeda. Hilal also condemned terrorism and said his side seeks understanding with President Hamid Karzai's administration and has initiated contacts with it. Among Hizb-e Islami's policies outlined by Hilal called for the "immediate formation of a national army in accordance with the wishes of the Afghans so there is no excuse for the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan." They're already doing that, Hilal. Where you been? Hilal's statement differed from the calls for a jihad against U.S. forces in Afghanistan by Hizb-e Islami's leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Hilal has been trying to soften his approach toward Karzai's administration, but Hekmatyar has been doing the opposite. Which is why they fired Hek, and then Hek fired them. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |