| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| Sayyaf Talks Taliban, Women and BSA |
| 2013-11-10 |
| [Tolo News] In an exclusive interview with TOLOnews, Presidential candidate Abdul Rab Rasool Sayyaf ...Afghan Salafist warlord, owned by Saudi Arabia. He was the guy who invited al-Qaeda to come into Afghanistan and make themselves at home... spoke about his thoughts on fighting the Taliban, women's education in Afghanistan and the Kabul-Washington Bilateral Security Pact (BSA). Sayyaf, who has traditionally been one of the most outspoken critiques of the Taliban, told TOLOnews that the exact cause for continued conflict between the Taliban and Afghan government is unclear to him. He said that making sense of what lies at the heart of their antagonistic relationship would be a critical first step toward any possible reconciliation. "I really don't understand what is the issue between us and the Taliban, over what issue we are fighting," he said. "If the reason is clarified, then someone can base talks on that." Sayyaf was a jihadi leader during the Russian revolution and holds a Masters degree in religious studies from the revered Al Azhar University in Egypt. He fought against the Taliban as part of the Northern Alliance until the regime fell in 2001. Although he has made a name for himself condemning the Taliban for misinterpreting and even corrupting the teaching of Islam, he said in the interview that the source of conflict between with the bad boy group was a mystery to him. Sayyaf said that the restoration of longstanding peace and security in Afghanistan was one of his fundamental goals. Sayyaf, a respected Afghan religious scholar, also spoke about women's education, a subject he has often been thought to hold more conservative views on. "I think there are misconceptions in the public about my perspective on women's education," he said. "I support honorable education opportunities for women, because women's honor and dignity are very important." The role of women in Afghan society is frequently highlighted as one of the major points of progress in the past 12 years. Many young Afghans, in particular, are anxious to see what the results of the spring elections will mean for the future of women's issues. Sayyaf also spoke about the pending security pact between the U.S. and Afghanistan. Like most, he said he appreciated the importance of the agreement, but said no decision should be made without full respect for Afghan illusory sovereignty and national interests. "All aspects should be considered and a wise decision should be taken to bring the country out of crisis, but only in line with our national illusory sovereignty," Sayyaf said. U.S. officials have pushed for Kabul to sign the agreement as soon as possible, but President Hamid Maybe I'll join the TalibanKarzai ... A former Baltimore restaurateur, now 12th and current President of Afghanistan, displacing the legitimate president Rabbani in December 2004. He was installed as the dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001 in a vain attempt to put a Pashtunface on the successor state to the Taliban. After the 2004 presidential election, he was declared president regardless of what the actual vote count was. He won a second, even more dubious, five-year-term after the 2009 presidential election. His grip on reality has been slipping steadily since around 2007, probably from heavy drug use... ultimately decided to leave it up to a Loya Jirga set to convene in Kabul this week. Sayyaf noted that there are some reservations that neighboring countries have about the BSA, but said Afghanistan's interests should first and foremost be taken into account in finalizing the agreement. Sayyaf is one of the 10 Presidential candidates who made the Independent Election Commission's (IEC) preliminary list two weeks ago. |
| Posted by:Fred |