EDITORIAL : THE DAILY OUTLOOK, AFGANISTAN

                

 

Post-Osama Setting and Possible Regional Architecture

Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture, trying to reconcile with the enemy that has resurged and endured over the last ten years against Afghan and international forces that have been operating on the ground to help the country stand on its feet in terms of stability and development. The terrorists and extremists that have continued the battle to challenge the democratic system of Afghanistan and the presence of international community have not registered and shown any willingness to come to terms with the values that have flourished over the last one decade in the country, which include human rights, citizenry's rights, construct of new social roles for women and integrity of Afghan people as a nation.

The regional countries, such as Pakistan and India, have put their weight behind the Afghan-led peace process, which has not produced any tangible results as yet. But the death of Osama Bin Laden on May 1, which brought relief to the much of the world, may entail the development of new regional architecture.
Afghanistan can play with post-Osama setting through a rational and active diplomacy bringing a wide range of players together to advocate for its case for a regional peace.

Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, paid a two-day visit to Afghanistan on Thursday and Friday to discuss bilateral issues aiming at further cementing the relations between the two countries. With announcement and pledge of additional $500 million aid, India's share of contribution to Afghanistan will be $2 billion since 2002, making it one of the largest donor countries for Afghanistan. India has also assisted Afghanistan in capacity building and provided scholarship for Afghan youths. As one of the largest democracies, its political philosophy can inspire peace in the region.

In his talks with President Hamid Karzai as well as in his address to the joint session of Afghan parliament, India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh supported the ongoing efforts by Afghan government to make peace with the Taliban insurgents. He, however, laid stress that "Terrorism and extremism are alien ideas to our people. They bring only death and destruction in their wake. They provide no answers to the problems of poverty, illiteracy, hunger and disease. We cannot and must not allow the flames of extremism and terrorism to be fanned once again."

The Taliban continue to remain linked with Al-Qaeda and after the killing of Bin Laden, the world's top terrorist, the militants stated that his "martyrdom will blow new spirit into the Jihad against occupiers." In fact, the Taliban remains a bunch of extremists that cannot break with wider network of terrorists and thus must be approached with an iron fist.

A Crucial Period in Strategic Relations

Pakistan was hit by a wave of terrorist bombings Friday. The assault killed and wounded dozens of Pakistani military trainees at a military compound. The Pakistani Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack and said it was the beginning of a series of avenging operations to be held in Pakistan following the death of Al Qaeda Mastermind, Osama Bin Laden, in the Pakistani Abbottabad.

The violence comes as Pakistani government is hardly grappling with the consequences caused by Osama murder in its foreign relations. The US-Pakistani strategic partnership is, analysts say, on the verge of a crucial change. Pakistani presidents' recent trip to Moscow is, by some experts, interpreted as a possible U-turn in US-Pakistan fragile relations.

US congressmen have asked Obama administration to rethink the country's relations with Pakistan. US officials believe that certain elements inside Pakistani government have been providing supports to the terrorist mastermind while hiding in Pakistan for years. His administration has asked its Pakistani ally to launch investigations against the supporting network for Osama inside the government. However, Pakistan has denied claims saying that the country's army intelligence body, the ISI, has had ties with the world's most wanted notorious fugitive. Instead, they have warned against further drone strikes having been launched by United States intelligence agency across Afghan-Pakistani border.

No need to say, the war on terror is far from over unless militancy is uprooted in the region, especially in the terrorism hotbed, Pakistan's tribal belt. For getting the job done, the international community needs to get Pakistan's role in the process reinforced. The US administration has reiterated that, despite tense relations with Pakistan, the US will not risk any damage in bilateral ties with it.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a blunt announcement saying that Pakistan still held substantial significance to get the process moving. In spite of edgy relations between the two allies, both need to considerately carry on cooperation to bring an end to the scourge of terrorism, with the other world and regional actors continuing contributions.

The Vicious Cycle

Taliban prisoners' escape from the central jail in Kandahar raised serious questions and criticism against president Karzai administration and his placating policies towards militants. Some of the escapees then launched a two-day operation against Kandahar provincial governor office and the NDS directorate. The blowing news came amid government's long-running appeasement policies encouraging Taliban to join the peace process.

President Karzai has done his best to encourage Taliban to lay down arms and join the peace process. However, the policy has proved counterproductive. Taliban have got enough chance to use Afghan villages and the tribal connection networks to recruit more mercenaries and expand their area of operation.

The government peace initiative included releasing some of high ranking Taliban prisoners. Peace commissions and councils established so far have insisted on providing more privileges to the militants to win their hearts and minds. Both the Peace Consolidation Commission and High Peace Council (HPC) have been trying to release all Taliban prisoners. The HPC spokesman said few days ago that the council was trying to free all Taliban prisoners even those jailed in other countries, especially Pakistan. Likewise, Afghan Second vice president on Tuesday May 10, 2011backed the Council mandate and called upon international partners to provide it with more financial resources. Mohammad Karim Khalili asserted that the national reconciliation process didn't entail sacrificing democratic achievements and constitutionalized values. However, the current political trends are in opposition to him.

As the overgenerous peace initiative implied government exhaustion in fight against Al Qaeda-backed Taliban, they were defied to carry on military attacks. They termed the peace process as phony and counterfeit. The government is, nonetheless, struggling to soothe them. So far, dozens of Taliban commanders have been freed by president order, reconciliation commissions and tribal elders' recommendations. Reports confirmed that some of them have returned back to the battlefield as soon as they've left prisons. This has actually led to a vicious cycle in which dozens of military men are killed to capture a terrorist and a single decree or unrealistic consultation help him safely return to the battlefield.

Early this week, Hajji Mohammad Mohaqiq, A member of Afghan High Peace Council and the prominent Law maker strongly protested against the release of insurgent prisoners by High Peace Council and the national peace and reconciliation commission. He said releasing insurgent prisoners without the proper judicial process from jails could hugely contribute to deterioration of security situation in the country. The recent military trends back his ideas and clearly indicate that, if pursued further, the unrealistic appeasement policies, initiated by government and backed by some exhausted international partners, will ensure collapse of the government, loss of democratic achievements and maybe return of Taliban.