Interview with Gul Agha Sherzai, Governor of Kandahar

The governor of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province, Gul Agha Sherzai, has only recently resumed his post after an absence of almost six years. But like Rashid Dostum in the north, Ismail Khan in the west and Haji Qadir in the east, Sherzai is a survivor. Indeed, following the demise of the Taliban regime, he has re-emerged as one of the most prominent political and military figures in the country. In an interview with IRIN, he said he was satisfied with the security and ongoing poppy eradication efforts in the former Taliban stronghold that once produced more than 50 percent of the country's opium, and maintained that the upcoming Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, in June would succeed in ultimately bringing peace and stability to his war-torn homeland. QUESTION: Can you update us on the humanitarian situation in Kandahar and south of the country? ANSWER: There are no ethnic and sectarian tensions in Kandahar and other southern provinces. Basic human rights of the people are being protected. Even the Hindus in Kandahar have been given representation in the provincial advisory commission. The UN is already doing much relief work. In collaboration with them, we are planning to initiate many projects shortly. The government is rebuilding offices, buildings and other infrastructure. The administrative system is functioning well with professionals resuming their work. In keeping up security, we have raised a military force of 23,000 soldiers, along with 3,300 policemen. We have 5,800 teachers, doctors and other staff serving the people. The anti-poppy drive is under way in the provinces of Helmand [in the couth] and Oruzgan [central Afghanistan]. We have lifted the 23-year-old night curfew in the city, and the international community is free to help our people. Q: While you maintain that there are no ethnic and sectarian tensions in Kandahar, are there any tribal rivalries re-emerging among the Pashtun tribes dominating the area? A: While there are tensions among the tribes in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia over the control of regional governorship, there are no tensions in the south. Some differences emerged over the governorship of the central Ghazni and eastern Paktika provinces, but those were amicably resolved. We also resolved such tensions in the central province of Vardak. Q: How is the overall security situation in Kandahar, and how would you compare it to the rest of the country? A: As I mentioned earlier, we have lifted the night curfew in Kandahar after 23 years. Hamid Karzai, head of the Afghan interim administration, visited Kandahar recently and toured around the city without any guards. Q: With the US-led coalition's mopping-up operation continuing in eastern Afghanistan, are there any remaining Al-Qaeda and Taliban pockets in southern Afghanistan? A: There are a few former Taliban officials and ministers in the remote areas. This week I will convene a meeting of the five governors there to take up the issue. In Kandahar a house-to-house disarmament campaign is under way that will be extended to other areas. Q: A large number of Afghans demand the extension of peacekeepers to areas outside the capital Kabul. Do you agree to this? A: I fully back all such demands because peace is our first priority. Without peace nothing can be done. When Lakhdar Brahimi [the UN special envoy for Afghanistan] visited Kandahar, I raised this issue with him. Q: Kandahar was the spiritual capital of Taliban. What role will the city play in the future? A: If you look at Afghan history, Kandahar had always played a very prominent role in shaping the destiny of the country. Afghanistan's other ethnic groups, such as Hazaras, Tajiks and Uzbeks and Pashtuns, always consulted the people of Kandahar and given them a leadership role in the event of a national crisis. The city produced Mir Wais Nikka and Ahmad Shah Ghazi [founders of Afghanistan in the 18th century]. The backing of the people of Kandahar formed all the Loya Jirgas. Now, myself, Hamid Karzai and other leaders from Kandahar are trying our best to serve the people. Q: There have been reports of a large number of returnees to the cities of Afghanistan. Are you facing any problems? A: We have talked to the UN people and are in the process of repatriating our refugee brothers back to their homes. We have given land and other facilities for camps in Kandahar and Takhta Pul districts. Q: How do you view the upcoming Loya Jirga, and how significant is the return of the former King Muhammad Zahir Shah? A: Ala Hazrat [great lord, Zahir Shah's title] would have never returned to Afghanistan if there were no chances of the success of the upoming emergency Loya Jirga. He is here to look after his children - the people of Afghanistan. I am optimistic that the Loya Jirga will permanently restore peace to Afghanistan and will deliver a more representative government. It will also pave the way for a permanent constitution and army. Q: Do you believe that the warlords and other military factions would accept all the Loya Jirga decisions? A: Loya Jirga is about consensus building. Under the present circumstances, where the international community is backing Afghans, I am sure the Loya Jirga will deliver broadly acceptable results.