Geoffrey MG's Beyond Wallacia

With the imminent return to Kabul of the government of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, attention is already turning to its leadership and their capacity to work with the country' diverse communities, ethnic groups and religious practitioners after 20 years of invasion and civil war.

The State's president is Prof. Burhanuddin Rabbani. To find out more about him, what follows this introduction is a collection of speeches and interviews sourced from the internet.

Born in 1940 to a Tajik family in Faizabad in the northeastern province of Badakhshan, Rabbani studied in Kabul and then in Cairo's Al-Azhar university where he received his masters degree in Islamic Philosophy. In 1971 he took over the leadership of the Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society) party but the dominant communist groups of the day forced him into exile in Pakistan.

After the Soviet invasion in 1979, his party played a central role in the jihad against the Red Army and his forces were the first mujahideen group to enter Kabul in 1992. Rabbani returned to Kabul and in June he took over Afghanistan's presidency. He survived numerous attempts by rival parties to oust him from office by force of arms but then chose to withdraw from the capital in 1996 when Taliban insurgents and their foreign mercenaries threatened the city.

Still recognised by the United nations and some 50 countries, his government persisted in the north of the country and brought a wide variety of militia into its United Front (known internationally as the Northern Alliance).


Speech to World Food Summit on November 19, 1996

Afghanistan today is not only a landlocked and least developed country but also a war-stricken one. It is also very unfortunate that armed conflicts still continue in Afghanistan and cause, among other calamities, shortages in food production.

Afghanistan, by reason of its climate, is the meeting place of three Asian geographic areas: middle eastern, central Asian and south Asian. This is reflected in its agricultural output. Wheat has been produced for thousands of years, as shown by research on pre-history. In some regions of the country there is also rice cultivation.

More than 15 percent of Afghanistan's land area is arable, with more large prospects opening up through the new irrigation projects.

The historical annals and recent history show that Afghanistan has a self-sufficient agricultural economy in normal atmospheric precipitation years. However, irremedial drought and famine may occur with catastrophic consequences as happened in 1946 and 1971. This cyclical phenomenon has necessitated emergency international assistance - greater than in previous years in order to remedy the extremely harsh effects of large scale food shortages.

The foreign military invasion which started in 1971, has had serious effects on Afghan agriculture, especially because of destruction and upheavals resulting in disruptions to human life, traditional irrigation works and all other agricultural activities. From among the 1.7 million who were killed, many were people active in agricultural fields.

We agree with all the international studies and research, indicating that the equal participation of women and men is conducive to achieving sustainable food security for all. We agree with the objectives and actions proposed regarding these matters in the Plan of Action of the Summit.

To achieve food security in Afghanistan, we certainly need as a first stage, to solve conflicts peacefully and create a stable political environment and justice through respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

One of the major difficulties in revitalizing animal husbandry and agriculture in Afghanistan, is the unfortunate existence of anti-personnel landmines. At least 10 million anti-personnel landmines endanger the lives of the population and especially the farmers in Afghanistan.

The gravity of the problem of landmines in our country is well-reflected in the report of his Excellency, the United Nations Secretary-General to the 47th Regular Session of the United Nations, indicating that 45 000 landmines have been discovered in an area of 25 km2.This unfortunate problem is one of the legacies of the 18-year imposed war on the Afghan people.

There is also the problem of poppy production used to produce opium and heroine which has taken an alarming turn in the last three years in the southern regions of the country which were invaded and ruled by the Taliban militias.

As our delegation in the United Nations stated at the Security Council on 16 October 1996, the reports of UNDCP make it clear that 95 percent of the fields under poppy cultivation are situated in the area which was invaded and is under the occupation of the Taliban.

Yet another legacy of the invasion are the thousands of displaced persons, among whom children, women and the elderly are the first to suffer under such circumstances. It is a matter of particular anguish, however, that still another problem is the severe food shortages.

We therefore ask the international community to help the Afghans in their endeavours to bring peace and administrative unity in their country through the cooperation of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan.



From Muslim World News of November 25, 1996

Afghan head of state Burhanuddin Rabbani has appealed to the United Nations to put an end to the "blatant and direct interference" in his country by Pakistan.

In an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt, published in the Monday edition, Rabbani said the Pakistanis were openly admitting to supporting the Taleban militia in Kabul.

"I welcome any initiative to end the war," Rabbani said, adding that as a precondition the Taleban militia had to withdraw from Kabul to enable a demilitirisation of the capital.

Rabbani said the European Union could exert its influence on Pakistan through economic pressure.

"It must apply pressure on Pakistan and convince the United States that it is wrong to support the Taliban", he was quoted as saying.



From RFE/RL Newsline of May 12, 1997

Burhanuddin Rabbani arrived in Dushanbe to meet with his Iranian and Tajik counterparts, ITAR-TASS and Interfax reported. Rafsanjani and Rakhmonov said they continue to recognize Rabbani and his government as the legitimate leadership in Afghanistan, despite the fact that the Taliban movement now control two-thirds of that country.

The three presidents reaffirmed their view that peace in Afghanistan must be achieved through political means. All three will attend the meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization that begins in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, tomorrow.



From Rediff On The Net of September 3, 1998

Afghanistan President Burhanuddin Rabbani asked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to help dislodge the Taliban regime from Kabul, pointing out that it was aiding terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rabbani, who called on Vajpayee in Durban, South Africa, on the sidelines of the Non-Aligned Movement summit, told him that the war-torn country was being used as a base for launching terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the world.

The Indian prime minister assured full diplomatic, moral and political support to Rabbani, who heads the opposition alliance against the Taliban.

Rabbani also won a small victory when NAM refused to recognise the Taliban regime and allowed him to represent Afghanistan at the summit.

Rabbani also circulated at the NAM meeting a detailed report on Pakistan's interference in the internal affairs of the country. He accused the Pakistan military of being directly involved in the operations against the alliance forces in Mazar-e-Sharif.



Speech to United Nations Millennium Summit on September 8, 2000

The Secretary-General, under the title of "freedom from fear" explains in detail, the nature of present deadly conflicts in the world. In this rubric, more attention is paid to the intrastate conflict.

Concurring with the Secretary-General's argument, the Islamic State of Afghanistan wishes to emphasize that in most of conflicts termed "internal", external politico-economic and strategic interests and interventions play a primordial role in sustaining that conflict.

In this regard, my country has been a victim of foreign aggression twice in two decades. Albeit ample evidence in both cases, of direct involvement of foreign troops and military personnel, the UN has not been able to either condemn the aggressor or take necessary measures to stop aggression.

We strongly believe that in the 21st Century, nation-states will not disappear. Thus, States need to be strengthened and act together within common institutions based on shared rules and values.

Enduring two decades of ceaseless suffering, it is our earnest wish that the Afghan nation shall enjoy peace and security at the beginning of the 21st Century.

We desire the creation of a broad-based government in Afghanistan under the auspices of the United Nations, so that our nation can start the task of reconstruction and development of the country, in an environment removed from conspiracy and foreign interference, which have turned our land into a terrorist training camp, a center for drug smugglers and a base for spilling instability.



Speech to Afghanistan Day of Independence on August 16, 2000

Afflicted fellow citizens, The enduring Mujahid nation of Afghanistan, Peace be unto you! I wish to congratulate you on the auspicious day of restoration of Independence of our homeland.

This year like past ones, we celebrate once again August 19 (28 Assad in Afghan Calendar) at a juncture when a grand part of our country's territory is being trampled under the murky and corrupted feet of the army of ignorance and bigotry, of satanic troops who in an aim to cast aside Afghanistan's Independence at the behest of foreigners, continue their wickedness and blood-spilling, marching ahead of our enemies to kill and loot their fellow country folk.

From the day of its founding, albeit encountering conspiracies and constant intrigues, the Islamic State of Afghanistan has always been desirous of restoration of peace and reconciliation in the country, having repeatedly declared its policy, based on the acceptance of the principle of negotiations and understanding, and by proving it through its adoption of practical strides.

However, direct foreign interference, which arises from their evil intent and impure desires regarding the State of Afghanistan, accounts for the obstacles, and unfortunately the war still continues.

As everyone is aware, with continued statements by the military ruler of Pakistan, these interferences have taken an overt tone, whereby the presence of Pakistani nationals and equipment in the frontlines has made its denial impossible.

However, the international community, which statedly has no resolve in solving the Afghan crisis, refrains from any practical step, hence, providing the war-mongers the opportunity to continue their aggression.

Despite the fact that we have chosen the path of a peaceful settlement, we shall stand against the invasion and will resolutely defend inch upon inch of our homeland, advising the Armed Forces of the Islamic State of Afghanistan of perseverance, patience and piety.



Report from Radio Netherlands of October 18, 2000

Eric Beauchemin recently met the president of - what is officially known as - the Islamic State of Afghanistan and asked him about the ongoing war and the recent advances made by the Taliban.

Rabbani: "The fighting that has erupted in our country is not a civil war. As the UN Secretary General has pointed out, this is not a national crisis. It's an intervention by outside countries. The Taliban are operating with support from other countries, such as Pakistan. Outsiders are supporting and inflaming the fighting in Afghanistan."

Nonetheless, these people are threatening your government as they advance further and further. Where does your government go from here?

Rabbani: "If they capture more territory, they will create a lot of problems and difficulties. But the Islamic State of Afghanisation has faced many problems and difficulties. Let me repeat that this is not a civil war but a regional crisis. The Afghan people will not surrender to aggressors. We never have. We have asked the international community not to be indifferent to the Afghan crisis. But up until now, they have not ordered the countries involved to stop meddling in Afghanistan's internal affairs."

More and more, it seems like this conflict is becoming an ethnic war between the Pashtuns and the other ethnic groups.

Rabbani: "It's not true. This is not a tribal war between the Pashtuns and non-Pashtuns. There are many foreigners - Pakistanis, Arabs as well as the servants of other neighbouring countries - who are based in Afghanistan. They are waging war against us."

Does your government have a different vision for the future of Afghanistan than the Taliban?

Rabbani: "We believe the war in Afghanistan should come to an end. Outside military forces should be forced to leave. And then we need to pave the way to convene a grand assembly to enable Afghans to decide about their future."

So you don't have a different vision than the Taliban?"

Rabbani: "There are many differences between the policies of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the Taliban. The Taliban are threatening Afghanistan's independence. They are trying to eliminate the freedom of other ethnic groups. And they prevent girls from going to school, whereas we allow females to get an education."

Professor, you've insisted a lot on the international character of this war. You say that the Taliban are receiving assistance, primarily from Pakistan. But you too are receiving outside aid.

Rabbani: "It's accepted internationally that when war breaks out, the legitimate government ? and that's us, the Islamic State of Afghanistan - has the right to defend its independence, national sovereignty and territorial integrity. The opposition is jeopardising our national sovereignty. So we have the right to ask neighbouring countries for assistance. But so far, we've been receiving mainly humanitarian assistance from our neighbours."

But these countries must also be providing military assistance because you're not manufacturing the arms yourself.

Rabbani: "We are in a position to ask for military assistance because we are the legitimate government of Afghanistan. But so far we have received no military aid. Because of our lack of supplies, the Taliban have managed to capture a number of provinces.

But there have been reports of large quantities of military supplies coming over the border from Tajikistan.

Rabbani: "This is all propaganda. People are confusing military aid and humanitarian assistance."



Report from The Tribune of May 2, 2001

The Afghan opposition alliance said today it would accept a United Nations appeal for a ceasefire to prevent a humanitarian disaster if the ruling Taliban also agreed.

The chief of the UN refugee agency, Mr Ruud Lubbers, had carried his appeal for a ceasefire lasting six months to a year to Mr Burhanuddin Rabbani, head of the anti-Taliban alliance fighting for its existence in north-eastern Afghanistan.

"We believe that - not only for six months - that the war should be over forever," Mr Rabbani told reporters after the men met in the alliance?s current capital Faizabad.

"Yes, we are in agreement but we want that the Taliban should also agree," said Mr Rabbani.

Mr Rabbani said he agreed with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr Lubbers, that peace was necessary for the welfare of the Afghan people, suffering the twin calamities of two decades of war and the worst drought in 30 years.



Report from UNIFSA of May 30, 2001

A European Union delegation visited Faizabad, capital of Badakhshan province of Afghanistan on May 22-23 and held talks with Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and other Government officials.

Addressing the EU concerns in their entirety, President Rabbani respectively highlighted the Government's stance toward those issues and reiterated the resolve of the Islamic State of Afghanistan to ensure human rights, avoid laying land mines, and vigorously combat narcotic drugs in the territories it holds, and shed light on the devastating effects of the concurrent sever drought throughout the country.

President Rabbani also spoke of the continued violations by Pakistan of the UN sanctions on the Taliban mercenaries in its ceaseless flow of arms and ammunition to the Taliban militia.



Report from Frontier Post Pakistan of July 18, 2001

Afghan President and head of the opposition Northern Alliance Professor Rabbani has sought Pakistan's help for the solution of the Afghan conflict and offered peace talks to the ruling Taliban in war-ravaged Afghanistan. This is the third time Rabbani has offered peace talks to Taliban for peace, progress and prosperity of the Afghan people.

He extended the offer while talking to a Quetta-based journalists from Afghanistan's Badakhshan province, reports Radio Tehran.

Rabbani said hundreds of thousands of Afghans were forced to live in foreign countries due to the continuing fighting in Afghanistan.

He called on the world community particularly Pakistan, to come forward for ending fighting and foreign interference in Afghanistan and help the Afghans.

He asked the Pakistan government to use its influence over Taliban for convincing them to hold talks with them because due to its impact on the might of Pakistan, the continuing Afghan fighting may pave the way for insecurity and fundamentalism.



Report from AFP of September 15, 2001

Afghan opposition commander Ahmad Shah Masood died Saturday after a suicide bombing plotted by Pakistan, the Taliban and alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, ousted president Burhanuddin Rabbani said.

In the first official confirmation of the veteran commander's death, Rabbani described him as a "national hero" who had martyred himself for "jihad and resistance".



Report from AFP of October 6, 2001

Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani on Saturday hit out at United States policy in Afghanistan, accusing it of having created the ruling Taliban.

"After the defeat of Soviet troops, the United States completely forgot our country," he said.

"Washington afterwards created the Taliban, at the side of Pakistan, supported and armed them to overcome my Islamic government", Rabbani said in an interview with the Sunday edition of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.

Rabbani, deposed by the Taliban in 1996 and Afghanistan's UN-recognised president, urged the United States to be "involved" in all negotiations on the future of the country.

Rabbani, who lives in northern Afghanistan among the opposition Northern Alliance, said it has at its disposal more than 25,000 armed men, faced with from 30,000 to 50,000 well-armed Taliban, of which, he said, around 2,000 have changed camp over the the last few days.

Rabbani, spoke out in the interview against the return to the throne of the former Afghan monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah, 86, who has been in exile in Rome since 1973.

"Today nobody is in a position to set up a post-war government," he said. He said that without the Northern Alliance "nothing goes."



Report from Reuters of October 6, 2001

The United States can capture Osama bin Laden without going to war, the leader of Afghanistan's anti-Taliban Northern Alliance opposition was quoted as saying.

Burhanuddin Rabbani, president of the country until he was forced from power by the Taliban in 1996, told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper that outside pressure could be enough to ensure bin Laden was brought to justice.

"If the Americans are really only interested in bin Laden, then the problem can be solved through cooperation with Pakistan and by increasing the pressure on the Taliban," Rabbani said, according to a transcript of the interview due to be published on Sunday.

"You don't need a war to catch him," he added.

Washington has demanded the Taliban hand over bin Laden, blamed for the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Rabbani said the Northern Alliance had felt abandoned by Washington in its fight against the Taliban in recent years. He said the Alliance had warned "loud and clear" about the danger posed by the regime.

"Nobody wanted to believe us," he said.

Rabbani said the Northern Alliance should play a crucial role in any formation of a new government for Afghanistan if the Taliban were dislodged. He said he had been in diplomatic contact with the United States, but had not been in contact with President George W. Bush directly.

"We are the ones who have been fighting the Taliban and their foreign backers for years to save our people," he said.

"Without us there would be nothing. Our Islamic government and the United Front, that the West calls the Northern Alliance, are the only power capable of getting rid of the terrorism of the Taliban and to restore peace," he added.

Rabbani was quoted as saying the Alliance had "over 25,000" fighters against an estimated 30,000 to 50,000, plus "thousands of Arabs and Pakistanis," on the Taliban side.

He said Afghanistan's former king, Zahir Shah, deposed in 1973 and living in exile in Rome, could not come back. A ruler would have to be picked by the Afghan people using a traditional meeting of elders, known as a "Loya Jirga."



Report from IranMania.com of October 7, 2001

Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani on Sunday accused Pakistan of "interfering" in Afghanistan's internal affairs amid signs a US-led anti-terrorism coalition may try to replace the ruling Taliban militia.

"Unfortunately, Pakistan has still not learned anything from its history of interfering in this country. Regional countries and Afghanistan's neighbours must allow the Afghan people to determine their fate on their own," Rabbani said in an interview with Iranian state radio.

Rabbani also again spoke out against suggestions the Taliban be replaced with a government led by former Afghan monarch Mohammed Zahir Shah, 86, who has been in exile in Rome since 1973.

"Afghanistan's problem is not a particular person or group. The determination of the fate of the Afghan people is up to the people of this country," Rabbani said.

"The Afghan people are confident in holding a Loya Jirga (session) and are ready for it. Anybody, who is chosen by the people will be accepted by us and the international community," he said.

Together with the anti-Taliban opposition, Zahir Shah recently agreed to form a "Supreme Council for the National Unity of Afghanistan" which would convene an emergency session of the Loya Jirga, an assembly of traditional chiefs, to elect the head of state and members of a transitional administration.

Rabbani invited all Afghan officials to join the council, saying "Afghanistan belongs to all those who represent the people. The council's sole aim is peace which the Afghan people strive for."

Rabbani even went as far as inviting Taliban leaders to join the Northern Alliance, but warned that those who have "dirtied their hands with the blood of others" would find no place in it.

"Taliban heads can join the Northern Alliance. Those Taliban officials who are foreigners and mercinaries and who have dirtied their hands with the blood of others, do not have a place in this council."

"The Afghan people have never had and do not have, under any circumstances, tolerance for terrorists," he said.



Report from Pravda of October 10, 2001

Afghan President Burhanuddin Rabbani entirely supports the US anti-terrorist effort. Rabbani said it to journalists after meeting Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov Wednesday.

According to him, the authorities of the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the Tajik President has been long pointing to the Taliban threat.

However, the international community did not hear representatives of the Afghan legitimate government which resulted in the September 11 terrorist attacks, Rabbani noted.



Report from BBC News of October 22, 2001

Afghanistan's anti-Taleban alliance has predicted victory over the Taleban following a meeting between Russian, Tajik and Northern Alliance leaders in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe.

In remarks broadcast by Tajik radio, deposed Afghan leader Burhanuddin Rabbani said that, after years of struggle against the Taleban, Northern Alliance forces were confident they will now finally see victory.

"We and our friends outside Afghanistan have been carrying out a bitter struggle against terrorism for seven years," he said.

"We are confident that in this just struggle, where the whole world has become our allies, we will finally defeat terrorism."

Mr Rabbani went on to speculate about what could have happened had the Northern Alliance not retained its stronghold in the north of the country.

"You and the world should judge for yourselves... if the Taleban had taken the whole of Afghanistan, what would happen with the situation in the region and in the world?" he said.



Report from CNN of October 26, 2001

The Taliban's opponents will do everything necessary to oust the Taliban and end the Afghan war, Afghanistan's internationally recognized president said Friday.

Speaking on CNN's "Larry King Live," Burhanuddin Rabbani said no sacrifice would be too great to rid Afghanistan of the Taliban.

"Once we took the path of resistance and the cause of our homeland, we took on all the risks involved and we are prepared to make all the sacrifices," Rabbani through an interpreter.

Rabbani, who currently holds his nation's seat in the United Nations, said it was "up to the people of Afghanistan" to determine whether he would lead a post-Taliban state.

Rabbani said he plans to travel soon to the front lines of the Northern Alliance, which is leading the military fight within Afghanistan against the Taliban.



Report from Times of India of November 9, 2001

The political head of the Afghan opposition Burhanuddin Rabbani said on Thursday that his fighters could handle the Taliban on their own and did not need troops sent in from other countries.

Rabbani, who is recognised by most countries as Afghanistan's legitimate president, made the assessment after a meeting with Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer, whose country plans to send 90 special-forces troops to Afghanistan.

"We do not require any troops from friendly states," Rabbani told reporters in the Tajik capital. "The only thing we need is financial, logistical and political help."

But Rabbani did not comment directly on Turkey's plans, and Sezer spokesperson Tacan Ildem said the Afghan side was "very appreciative." Ildem said the Turkish troops' main purpose would be to train anti-Taliban troops and to facilitate the transport of humanitarian aid.