Interview with Syed Ishaq Gailani, leader of the Cyprus group

Afghan political groups hope that the establishment of the interim government in Afghanistan under the auspices of the UN-sponsored Bonn agreement will mark the inception of a new era of peaceful politics to follow more than two decades of fighting. The Cyprus peace group is one of the four Afghan political groupings which negotiated and signed the Bonn agreement in December. In an interview with IRIN on Wednesday, 2 January, the leader of the Cyprus peace group and head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan, Syed Ishaq Gailani, said security, merit and transparency had to be ensured in order to re-establish democracy in Afghanistan. QUESTION: What is the Cyprus peace process? ANSWER: The Cyprus peace process was initiated by Afghan exiles in Cyprus in an effort to establish a constitutional governance system in Afghanistan. It was also aimed at relieving the people of Afghanistan from the shattered political conditions. Over a short period of time, Cyprus earned a big name, and the international community realised that the Cyprus process was a large peace movement with highly qualified Afghan exiles from around the world participating in its activities. We have been successful in our work for our homeland and in our participation in the UN-sponsored peace initiatives. We signed the Bonn agreement and did not take any cabinet positions, thus proving our dedication to the cause of peace in Afghanistan. I think this in itself is a success. Q: Why didn't the Cyprus group take any cabinet posts? A: We wanted to prove wrong all the impressions that the Cyprus process was initiated to block other Afghan peace initiatives. We did not participate in the power sharing, because our primary aim is to restore peace. We also want to ensure the holding of a free and fair emergency Loya Jirgah [supreme national tribal council] in Afghanistan. Q: How satisfied are you with the Bonn agreement? A: The Bonn agreement promises a hopeful future for Afghanistan as it will deliver a constitutional political system in the near future. [However,] I am not satisfied with the people chosen for the interim government, because the agreement emphasised handing power over to professionals, which, unfortunately, is not the case. However, we will wait for six months and, hopefully, the emergency Loya Jirgah will deliver broadly acceptable results. Q: Beyond the Bonn agreement, what steps are necessary to re-establish peace and security in Afghanistan? A: I think the collection of weapons is the first step. As long as there are weapons, peace cannot return. Secondly, peace will be strengthened by reconstruction as soon as that process begins and the foundations of government institutions are firmly laid with the help of the international community. It will relieve the future governments of these problems, paving the way for sustainable democratic governments in Afghanistan. Q: What measures would you suggest to establish democracy in Afghanistan? A: The presence of numerous political parties is the basic prerequisite for establishing democracy, so that governments are formed on the basis of popular will. Unfortunately, since the communist coup in 1978 to the fall of Taliban, Afghan governments were formed on the basis of military strength. Now we need governments formed by popular votes, representing the general will under a permanent constitutional arrangement. Q: How important are political parties in Afghanistan? A: Political parties are a basic component of the democracy. If they are not reformed and improved, Afghanistan may fall back to anarchy. Lack of a pluralist political culture resulted in wielding power through the barrel of a gun. Afghan political parties now need to be rehabilitated. Q: In your opinion, what should the priorities of the new interim government be? A: First of all, they should consult people and earn their goodwill by stopping the bombing campaign. People will then help them in tracking down and detaining the terrorists still at large in Afghanistan. If the bombing campaign continues, people will start questioning the new government. The government should adopt a strict merit policy that would restore professionalism. In the past, warring factions have been employing their supporters - violating the merit and rights of the deserving. They should cooperate with the peacekeeping forces so that a general de-weaponisation is completed. It should end warlordism now that some people have assumed governorship out of their own choosing. The central government should extend its writ over the whole country. Q: What kind of constitution does Afghanistan need? A: The 1964 constitution of Afghanistan, which has been restored till the holding of emergency Loya Jirgah [to be held in July]. I think it is a balanced constitution and it can guide and solve the problems of Afghans even today. Q: What kind of foreign policy should Afghanistan adopt? A: Afghanistan was a neutral and nonaligned country. Bi-Tarafi (Dari for nonalignment) is necessary for Afghan foreign policy. It should have good relations with all countries, particularly its neighbours. Q: Do you see any real dangers of ethnic fragmentation in Afghanistan? A: The ethnic problems in Afghanistan were blown out of proportion by external interference. There are no differences between the people inside Afghanistan, but the political and military outfits created by foreigners emphasised such differences. Afghans need to rediscover their national spirit. Historically, they have been able to overcome momentous political crises. Q: Does the former king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, have a role in Afghanistan? A: The former king is one of the most popular figures in Afghanistan. However, we cannot specify a role for him. Every Afghan has a soft spot for him. He will live as a national figure in Afghanistan. Q: What future does democracy have in Afghanistan? A: Afghanistan has its own democratic systems. If it can re-establish those systems, definitely democracy will prevail. The selection of people and systems by Loya Jirgah is an important step forward towards democracy. However, we cannot implement Western democracy in Afghanistan. All Afghans want democracy, but in accordance with their own traditions, religion and history.