Interview with Pir Gailani, head of the 'Peshawar Group'

This week saw an agreement in Bonn that marks a significant step forward in Afghanistan's political reconstruction. Pir Syed Ahmed Gailani is leader of the Assembly for Peace and National Unity of Afghanistan (APNUA), more commonly known as the 'Peshawar Group' - one of three exile groups represented at the Bonn talks. Gailani told IRIN in an interview on Thursday that despite some bias towards one Afghan faction, the Bonn agreement was a positive step. But he added that the forthcoming Loya Jirga [grand tribal assembly] would help ensure a far broader representation of Afghan views. QUESTION: What is your perspective on the Bonn conference? ANSWER: The Bonn agreement is a good step forward if it allows peace to return to Afghanistan and a good government is formed, which is acceptable to, and will bring benefits for Afghans. However, this is not an easy task. Regrettably, there was not sufficient equity in the Bonn conference. People were treated differently. We don't oppose it, but we have our concerns. Though it tilted towards one faction [the Northern Alliance], it's better than nothing. Hopefully, it will result in something better than the Taliban. We are specifically looking forward to the coming six months when the Loya Jirga [grand tribal assembly] will be held. That should be more representative than Bonn. It should ensure the participation of people's real representatives and should not be dominated by one faction. Q: How satisfied are you with the power sharing formula? A: As I said, Bonn was not equitable. Most of the portfolios have remained with the Rabbani government's representatives, who stayed in power. But after the Loya Jirga, we hope that a better government will be formed that better reflects the people's will. Q: What is your view of the new interim head of the transitional authority, Hamid Karzai? A: He is a good person from a very good family. But one man cannot run the whole government, it needs team work. Now [progress] depends on his cabinet and how much support they give him. It also depends on his ability to keep them together and utilise their collective abilities. Q: What will be the role of the former King, Muhammad Zahir Shah? A: Whatever the people of Afghanistan decide will be acceptable to us. Obviously, the times of monarchies are gone and monarchy cannot be restored. However, if the majority of Afghans demand a role for him as a [unifying] symbol, then I will back that role. Q: Are the Taliban going to have any role in the future Afghan set-up? A: Anything in the name of the Taliban is now over. Those who consider themselves as Taliban are still fighting. If any former Taliban repents his past and joins the people of Afghanistan for peace then obviously he will become part of the masses. Q: How do you view the setting up of a war crimes tribunal in Afghanistan? A: The people and the government should decide such matters. I am afraid that if we start it immediately, then many people [war criminals] will be held accountable. Q: What, in your view, are the immediate priorities for Afghanistan? A: Peace is the first and foremost priority. Education, the second. [Many] people are hungry, they are homeless and don't have access to health care. All this needs to be taken care of. Everything is needed at this stage and in some ways it's very difficult to prioritise. On the political front we need and demand a democratic system so that people are given their rights. Nobody can arbitrarily rule people by force. I demand a fully representative Loya Jirga, proper consultation and properly elected parliament so that legitimate people will rule Afghanistan. Q: What role do you see for Ulema [Muslim religious scholars] and other clergy in Afghanistan? A: I respect Ulema as we are Muslims and respect clergy as is done elsewhere in the world. They are part of the Afghan nation. I demand respect for religion. Q: What should be the priorities in terms of reconstruction? A: More than two decades of war has ravaged Afghanistan to the extent that people are homeless, hungry, they have no employment, health care or access to proper education. So all these things are to be taken care of in terms of reconstruction. Q: Is there going to be a prominent role for women in the future set up? A: God has given women a proper role and Islam has given women the right to equally participate in all spheres of life alongside men. In the prophet Muhammad's time, women participated in all spheres of life including politics. Obviously women will be better off in a new Afghanistan. Q: As an Afghan political leader, what message do you have for the international community? A: They should try to restore peace. They should ensure that the political process started in Bonn moves smoothly. They should work for a Loya Jirga and an elected representative Afghan government, which can meet the people's inspirations. They should help in rebuilding Afghanistan so that it again becomes a responsible member of the United Nations.