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Afghan Assassination Triggers Factional Fighting
A bit more on Ismail's kid getting bumped off...
In Afghanistan, the assassination of a cabinet minister has triggered factional fighting in the western portion of the country, killing as many as 100 people. Afghan officials say Civil Aviation Minister Mirwais Sadiq was traveling in the provincial capital, Herat, with his bodyguards when unknown gunmen attacked their car with a rocket. The assault killed the minister, who was the son of the powerful provincial governor Ismail Khan. Two of the bodyguards were also killed.
| Okay. We knew that, except for the rocket part. Ouch. |
Itâs not clear who carried out the attack, but a spokesman for Governor Khan has blamed fighters loyal to a local commander, Zahir Naybzada. The incident has sparked deadly clashes in city, where rival factions are reportedly using machine guns, rockets and tanks.
| Zada's already 'fessed up he dunnit and he's glad... |
Commander Naybzada denied killing the minister in an ambush.
| "No, no! Not an ambush, anyway!" |
He is reported as saying that Mr. Sadiq was killed after breaking into his residence.
| "Hmmm... Naybzada doesn't seem to be home so I can fire him. Maybe I'll just steal his silverwear instead... Ow!" |
From the way it is phrased it sounds like Naybzada found Sadiq in his front yard and blew him away (with a rocket).
| Naybzada! In the parlour! With a rocket launcher! |
In Kabul, on official statement said President Hamid Karzai was "deeply shocked" by the killing of the minister.
| "Dead, y'say? That's never happened before, has it? I'm soooooo shocked!" |
It says the president has ordered an investigation and appropriate action to be taken against those responsible.
"Mahmoud! Get to the bottom of this!"
"Of course, your excellency!" |
The government also has ordered newly U.S.-trained Afghan National Army soldiers deployed from the capital to try to end the deadly fighting in Herat. Civil Aviation Minister Said was the third cabinet member to be killed since President Karzaiâs government came to power to replace the Islamic Taleban in late 2001. Mr. Sadiqâs predecessor, Abdul Rahman was bumped off assassinated in early 2002 at Kabulâs main airport. A few months later, Vice President Haji Abdul Qadir was shot dead outside his office.
Assassination seems to be a culturally appropriate means of expressing your political views in Afghanistan. Sort of like voting is in other places.
| I'd think twice if Hamid invited me to be aviation minister. They don't have that many planes, anyway. |
Posted by: phil_b 2004-03-21 |
