Opposition leader calls for European aid

Afghan opposition leader Ahmad Shah Masud, during his first visit to the West, appealed on Wednesday to Europe for “aid of any kind” to help end his country’s rule by the hardline Taliban religious militia, AP reported.

Speaking at a news conference in Paris, Masud said foreign aid had thus far been insignificant. Using a translator, the ousted Afghan defence minister who, with other opposition leaders, controls 5 percent of the country, said his movement was pro-human rights, in contrast with the ruling Taliban. It also favoured allowing women to work, in direct conflict with the Taliban’s imposition of its harsh brand of Islam, which banned women from working and education, and forced them to wear head-to-toe coverings.

Masud also called on European leaders to take action against Pakistan: “We have always said that the route to peace is for the international community to put strong pressure on Pakistan.”

The veteran commander urged the the Bush administration to forge a clearer policy on Afghanistan. “My message to President Bush is the following: If he isn’t interested in peace in Afghanistan, if he doesn’t help the Afghan people to arrive at their objective of peace, the Americans and the rest of the world will have to face the problems.”

Masud was due to travel to Strasbourg, eastern France, on Thursday at the invitation of the president of the European Parliament, Nicole Fontaine, AP reported.