How my eldest brother was killed?

A word to remember and a lesson to be learn.

A true story which happened in my family. A true tragedy which broke my family’s heart and the words can not express the “amount” of sadness and deep grief which my family felt and faced! My father said: “the martyrdom of my son broken my backbone” My mother said: “the shading of the tears blinded my eyes”

Background:

It was the 19^th of October with the year 1988, there was a big family which was called Safe’s family (My family). There were eight children members of the family. Four of them were girls and the rest were boys. The boy names are: Sharef Ahmad, Saffuddin, Abdul Ali and Uzbullah. The girls name are Bibi Sawda, Saddiqa, Bibi Jan and Sonam-now all of them are married and have their own children- The family were happy, wealthy and healthy.

The eldest member of the family was a boy; his name was Sharef Ahamad. Sharef was born in 1977 in Panjshir Valley -was 20 years old .He moved to Kabul in 1980 and was living in Shar-e-Kona(Old City).He completed his school in “Bayhaqi School” which is situated in Shar-e-Kona(Old City). Sharef was a good wrestler (Palwan) .He had several matches in Kabul’s stadium, and won many and lost some. He was enthusiastic of sport, and was working part-time in our shop which my father had in Troops Centre (Qawah-e- Markaz).

My father was a businessman and had some shops in Troops Centre (Qawah-e-Markaz). He has been living all his life in Kabul city. He is really a metropolitan person, who likes the city so much. Our life was comfortable, luxurious and cool.

Sharef was busy with his study and his sport activity. It was Babrak Karmal regime(Communist Period) .If any young school boy was failed in the school, he forcefully(compulsorily) would sent to the front line(battlefield) for military servicing (Haskari).Sharef was working very hard in his school to not fail and would not face a bad consequences and would send to the front line (battlefield).

Sharef had too many friends from Shar-e- Kona, from his school and from his business place as well. One of his best friends his name is Farhad from Kabul. Farhad was a very handsome, well educated and polite person .They were going to school, shopping, park, cinema, sport, and parties always together. Basically, they were living two hearts in the same body! They bond to each-other deeply.

Sharef had another best friend his name was Matten. He was a very gentleman and wrestler .He was from Panjshir as well. Matten was working in Troops Centre (Qawah-e-Markaz) with Russian troops. He had a car-part business shop there.

In Karmal regime, the Russia troops occupied everywhere the country, cities, villages and districts. The ordinary people were annoyed from their arrogances and foolishness .They were very powerful regime on the face of the earth in that time! The military, economy, political and education system were in their hands. The regime was a remote control in their hand as well.

Tragedy:

It was a cold winter, the snow was falling down magically, the street was full of the snow, the cars were covered by the beauty of snow, and people were doing their business as usual. My father, me, Saffuddin, Sharef and Matten (Sharef's friend) were all inside in our shop .We were talking about our business and, Sharef was talking with Matten about his school exam’s result .Sharef was saying that “he passed the hard exam”. Sharef was joking with Matten and told him that “My friend! Prepare yourself for the military service (Haskari), because you failed in the exam…” He also mockingly added “Despite you gave your teachers some gift as bribe, they failed you” How funny? Laughing...Huh huh... and they were exchanging some more words between each other.

In this sweet time, the door of our shop was opened calmly.-Our shop was a beautician shop. There were perfume suits, jeans, cloths, watches and something like this- It is called (Banjara Shop) -My father ordered Safuddin to serves the customer. The customer was a Russian Commander.

Russian Commander and killing sense:

The Russian Commander had a high rank in army according to the police investigation later on. He was in his Jeep when his suitcase was stolen by the street gangs. The commander became very angry and drunk Vodka as much as he could. He became totally drunk and out of his control! As I said earlier on the above, the door of our shop was calmly opened and Saffudin politely approached him and asked for the help, if he needs. The reaction of the commander was very strange. “Do you need any help”? Sharef requested him very politely. He did not reply .He was wondering suspiciously and strangely. The commander asked wildly “where was my suitcase”? Matten, Sharef’s friend replied calmly and friendly: What suitcase”? Do you need suitcase to buy”? Matten asked him. “We are not selling suitcase here, in this shop” Matten said: The Russian Commander asked harder and louder-with a heavy and drunk voice- “Where was my suitcase and who did take my suitcase”? Sharef replied him:” What are you talking about? We are not selling suitcases here” The Russian commander angrily pull out a nasty black pistol which is called -in Farsi (Tofang cha Makarov).You can see in his wild and greenish eyes no mercy and was totally drunk! Matten approached himself to tell him some thing, without any pause he-the commander-punched him very harshly in his face. Matten as quickly as he could opened the door of the shop and escaped out of the shop. My father was sitting; than he, immediately stood up and asked Sharef: to pull the Russian criminal out of the shop. My father told him “Sharef get him out of here” Sharef was a sportive and strong boy. When he approached the Russian Commander .The cruel and merciless Russian shot him in the head. Sharef calmly said: Allah! Than collapsed on the floor of our shop…!

We heard a shot and the collapse of our brother and my father jumped and graped the Russian criminal. The Russian commander shot three bullets on the air as well to scare and scatter us and escape from the crime sense! My father was wrestling with him and prevents him to not shot my father or not shot me or my other brother. My father was struggling to open the door and the Russian pointing on him the gun, luckily the door was opened and my father jumped out of the shop. Matten, my father and the Russian criminal got out of the shop. I and Safuddin with Sharef dead body are inside the shop! The condition was extremely sad and out of explanation indeed! The Russian killer following my father and shooting him on the street. Luckily he failed to kill my father. He shoot a painter and shoot a shopkeeper as well, but they did not fortunately hurt .They escaped .He was shooting any one that he seeing on his way. No one was hurt and eventually, he with his cold blood went to his centre (Qawah-e-Markaz) Russia Troops Centre. The centre was –about 200 meters-far from our shop.

The reaction of my family:

When my father brought Sharef’s dead body from our shop. It was painful, mournful and saddens time. No one can ever forget it at all! When we got on the dead body in our car (Volga), we moved it to our home in Shar-e-Kona (Old City).We were crying and screaming on the car. My father was the entire time unconscious .A mechanic his name was Safdar Sha, a friend of my father. He was driving the car and was with us .He sent my brother Safuddin to bring s wheelchair (Chaparcat) from our home to carry the body inside the house.

The mechanic (Safdar Sha) warned Safuddin to not cry when he enters the house. Meanwhile, he told him to ask my family for the wheelchair (Chaparcat) if -my suppose mum asked- what is wrong. And why you want a wheelchair. You must tell her Sharef had an accident with the car and his leg was broken that is it .Finally, Saffuddin went to the home as quickly as he entered the house; he burst in tears and screamed that bring the wheelchair!! Wheelchair!! He shouted several times. Every one of my family-sisters and brothers-came to the ground-floor and they asked fearfully “what was wrong oh my God”?!! Saffudin could not pretend to tell them Sharef leg was broken .He told them with tears and fears “Sharef got martyrdom”Sharef was killed by a Russian”Safuudding screamed and cry out! And he repeated this words several times!

As my beautiful mother heard what Saffuddin said: she became unconscious for a while. When she became OK, the dead body of my brother was already on the ground-floor with his reddish and innocent blood on his handsome face like a “red rose” in a calm garden! Sharef was a complete young and innocent student!!

Miracle:

My mother was pregnant .She got birth on the same night which my dead brother was on the center of the house and hundred of friends and families were crying. Despite, my mother was sick and she did not care what she was feeling pain of child-birth! It was really painful and tragedy in fact! A bad memory neither forgot us and nor will be forgotten! Luckily, my mother give birth a baby-boy and we called him later on Sharef Jan! He is now 20 and living in Afghanistan-Kabul.

All the family spent with Sharef dead body 24 hours, eventually we berried his corps in cemetery which is called Tapa Maranjan (Maranjan Hill).

Farhad madness:

As I told in the begging of the story that, Sharef had tow best friend. Mr.Farhad and Mr.Matten. Farhad was ridding a bicycle and coming from a hill side and he was informed by some his friend that Sharef was killed... He lost his control and had a bad accident. He was crying so much and became a total crazy because of his best friend Sharef. He spent almost 3 years in Ali-a-abad Hospital (mental hospital).He was beating and eating himself. He was hand-cuffed and feet-cuffed and put in the chins for several months and was beating up by the hospital staves... Only when my father was visiting him, he would be calm and cry, otherwise, he got a wild and predatory human being! Gradually, he got better but not as better as it was expected. Farhad was suffered so many years and did not cure properly and he was half-human being and remains for several years half-mad person! Farhad life shattered entirely, he was constantly crying and weeping of Sharef.

Negligent of the regime:

After we berried the dead body and completed the faunal. My father decided to find the criminal (Russian commander) who murdered my innocent brother. My father spent nearly two years with a lot of efforts .He spent a great deal of time and money, but the regime was completely submissive, stooge and corrupted and did not give any fruitful result at all! It was a total lost in our family history. Eventually, the other Russian commanders warned my father to not come again.” We are losing daily dozen of our soldier in battle, we are not claming any thing and you lost one of your sons, and you are coming everyday. Do not come everyday, otherwise we will send you on frontline” Finally, my father give up.

Conclusion:

Now, you can judge .How the dreadful situation was when we lost a precious, handsome, sportive, kind, educated and great member of our family. No one did care about it in the government. How many others were killed and murdered like Sharef God knows better…God bless Sharef and other martyrs as well!

“Raoofi” a Noble poet of the Poets

Khalilullah Raoofi might be one of the noble poets who have joined with lately poets. Raoofi’s association and relations are as following: as a family of poets, one side he reaches to Khalida Froogh, his nephew and Nepton Raoofi another nephew; on the other side, he relates to Farooq Raoofi who is the eldest brother of poet and so on… The purpose of this introduction in the beginning is to show that Khalilullah Raoofi is not only a poet himself but, he also belongs to the family of poets.            

I remember when I was a little boy; I was acquainted with a group of literatures and well-known people throughout some meetings and parties which were managed by my father at that time. One of these great gentlemen was Wali Mohammad khan Panjshiri, who was a constitutionalist and later on, he was elected as senator in the senate. Despite the fact that, his job was kind of tough, however, he never gave up, instead he continued spreading his bright knowledge all over. He was one of the great intellectual scholars and who had lots of knowledge in faith as well as in rhetoric.

In this period of time, I was introduced to Neelab Rahimi amongst the researchers, whom I can declare was the first began her researching on the province of Panjshir. Amongst her outstanding articles, there is one article about specification of Panjshir’s name in the Ariana magazine.

Then among the comedian I acquainted with Paeez Hanafi. Hanafi was young intelligent, clever and brave. Without doubt, we can say, he was our first modern initiator of jokes. In conclusion, he lost his life telling the truths, (like Mansoor, a brave man in the history of Islam). He was a common friend of my father and Mr. Farooq Raoofi as well.

 Farooq Raoofi our well-known modern poet and writer was Khalilullah Raoofi’s oldest brother. Later on, I was introduced with Khalillulah in exile, where our mother country was collapsed and we branched out from each other. Although it is hard to get together once again in any part of the world, however, the only way to keep in touch is to share our ideas. It is easy to express our ideas through exchanging letters or communicate over the phone, as dear Raoofi already proved it.

 Raoofi is the one who still continues his efforts to rebuild and stable our lost values, and gives it remarkable thoughts and reflections of humanity. This great experience of humanities will go further and beyond our geography and ideology which links a Westerner metropolitan citizen to an easterner citizen, as well as a Khurasani of yesterday and Afghanistani of today. In such variety of ideas and qualities, having another look at our well-known people and reintroducing them to our society is necessary. Writing “Panjshir in the Mirror of Civilization” is one of these values. Therefore, I would like to allocate this part of my writing to Khalilullah Raoofi’s biography. It is worth doing so because he is a great poet of those famous poets amongst us.

With this preface, I go back to some of Khalilullah Raoofi’s biography, as well as his workbook with his testimony: “I was born in the summer of (1324??) In a poetic and educated family. While I was two years old I lost my father Abdu Raoofi. That was the hardest time in my life; however I grew up with the concentration of my mother. Since after I took my journey towards learning in the Mosque and school.

Since my subject was related to the military field, hereby I started my study from military class to military college and continued it in university abroad till I got my master degrees in military. Besides military profession, the other thing that I felt affection and love for was poetry in the Farsi which was left to us as inheritance. On one hand, the poetry was a relaxation for me, in the other hand it gave me a chance to be acquainted with well-known teachers, literatures and poets.

I remember the day when my great teacher Wasef Bakhtary said to me: (Mr.Raoofi, if you would stay only in your military mission, indeed your personality will be forgotten and you will be left aside). All pleasure and length of life be upon our great teachers whom every statement they made is heart inspiring.

I served many years as an engineer in rocket defense force in my country. After that I experienced so many tragedies through my life which came one after the other; From Dawood Khan, the communist regime, some Mujahideen, later on the Taliban regime. However, I tasted all good and bad things in my life .The life itself thought me a lots!

In 1962 I was appointed in the military correspondent administration. Then I worked as a deputy post and director of military magazine as well as director of ministry of defense publication until 1993. When the Taliban tragedy came in Kabul, I decided reluctantly to get out of the country, which I did immigrate to a foreign country, ever since till now I live in Castle city, Germany.

A collection of my poem book (Benafshaha) was published in Kabul in (1368???), and the second book by the name of { Far from galaxies(stars) and rivers} ‘Door Az Setaraha-wa-Daryaha’ is under work in Kabul, it will be published and distributed soon, and will be available to dear literatures who dearly love poem.

I personally (the writer) did not know Mr.Khalillulah Raoofi before, just I have known him through his articles and poems about Wasef Bakhtari, and later on, I knew him as a beautiful human being, who deserves every thing.

I found Mr. Raoofi as a real writer and poet, who is full of treasures of Persian literature and poetry .Despite, Mr.Raoofi, specialized in military engineering field, and had a little time to become a professional poet, however, he proved his uniqueness that he is a real talented poet and writer! For more justification and testimony here are some (translation) samples of his poems:

A liar dawn (daybreak)

The palace of your age destroyed oh my country-fellow

Why the life became a prison to you, oh my dear country-fellow

Under a massive grief and oppressions

How easy (cheap) became the story of your death

Your blood shed in the street here and there,

It became very inexpensive oh my country-fellow

Khaleda Farogh a bright galaxy in our poetry world

It is crystal clear that Khaleda Farogh is one of the most shinny galaxies in our literary and poetry life, she proved to be so.

The reason of her brightness, genius, typicality is being described and mentioned by one of the great poet Mr.Zai Qasimee in his articles which is called: Nemaahee az ghazal amroz dar dakhal Afghanistan. (The appearance of sonnet in Afghanistan today)

He says: literarily we have so many great poets among our women, but Khaleda Frough is exceptional and extraordinary poet. The reason why she is an individuation and exceptional poet: Firstly, she is an articulate and eloquent while she is presenting or delivering speech .Secondly, she is extremely, brave and venturous while she expresses her womanish or feminine feeling, thoughts and pains!

Although in our (book poem ),we have too many eloquent women poets as such as : Leila Sarahat Roshani,Homeera Naghat Dastageer zada,Faiqa Jawad, Zaigol Saltani, Maryam Mahmood, Mahboba Abrahami, Seraya Wahadi, Rahila Yar, Naida Fazal, Bahar Saheed and other anonymous brilliant female poets.Here are some exam[lesof these new generation pomes vision. “Most of the women interviewed emphasized the femininity and uniqueness – even superiority – of their vision rather than their equal capability vis-à-vis men. “The quality of the women’s work was much higher than that of the men. Because of their refined visions of life, the natural world, and their surroundings and their feminine sense and perception, women interact with their surroundings more comfortably and easily, and these encounters are expressed in their poetry,” says Ebrahimi. “Women’s sensitivity towards events and to the external environment is much higher than that of men. Of course, one can’t say that male poets don’t have such a spirit, but women have a greater aptitude because of their natural temperament,” adds Rahimeh Mirzaee, 24, from Mashhad, who was awarded an honorable mention in the poetry category. “The poetic spirit is much closer to women than to men. They are much more witty and elegant,” agrees Basi Gol Sharifi, 25, a member of the organizing team of the festival”.

Khaleda Farogh is described by many poets as a super female poet in her era, but some of other poet criticized her that she is following the path of mannish style. Mr Kazam Kazimi and Mahboba Abrahami one of the great poet critique, saying about her: Khaleda Farogh is still imprisonment of mannish impression; she did not come out from the circle of mannish influence. Sepecially, she is influenced by Wasif Bakhtari.

However, the writer of this book is rejecting the theory that Farogh is being imprisoned (stylishly) in the manner of her teachers. But, it is natural that she is inflinced by some of her Ustad (professors that she learnt from them .Otherwise, she entirely, has a freedom and independent way of thinking and expression. That is why, makes her more shiner and brighter.

I have to mention about Khaleda Farogh profile, ethnical birth place and education background .Khaleda Farogh from Panjshir. She born in Kabul in 1349 in a Panjshir educated family .After her completion of her primary and secondary school in Kabul. She graduated from Kabul University, from faculty of language and literature in1371.She attained her University diploma.

After her graduation, she became the manager {Literary Radio of Afghanistan Branch}, as well as, she became one of the members of Writers Society, subsequently she became Sadaf Mojala’s (Pearl Magazine) director.

She has published a volume of her work during her work. The contributions are as: Sarnavesht dast ha fanoos (the destination of lamp).Dar khayaan ha khob wa khaterra ha (In the road of dream and memories).Qayame matra (the uprising of Metra) and others. And we are waiting for her more inventions, creations and contributions for Afghanistan and humanity at large.

Dear Watandaran Aziz Your kind attention!

Notification!

Afghanistan needs a great deal of help to be paid for. Especially, our Province Panjshir desperately needs to be introduced truly and fully to the world! As we understand that our Province Panjshir has a high responsibility on our sholders. If you go to {Google Machine Search}, and search about Panjshir, sadly you will find only little definition of war and destruction, nothing else! Or something about Ahmad Sha Massoud(Our National Hero) {PBUH}.But, if you search other provinces of Afghanistan, you will find uncountable information or if you go in (Hazara Bank Websites) they have more than 239 websites, weblogs…and FrontPages! What about us?? We are a nation without definition!!(Only business-PIZZA- and carelessness can not solve our problems) Therefore, we decided to make “Panjshir Online Team” {all from Panjshir} to introduce Panjshir Valley fully to the national and international levels. It is a responsibility of all; women, men, smalls and big to do something. We strongly need your attention! Please put your personal difernces, hostilities and rivalries (hostile competition) aside and help –yourself- your history and your indescribable civilization…

Sultan Aizpoor, a great Panjshiri researcher, who is writing a book (Panjshir Dar Ayahana-e- Farhang) (Panjshir in the Mirror of Civilization), is an encyclopedia (Farhang Nama), we will introduce all Panjshiri writers, leaders, celebrities, well-known persons, scientists, scholars, astronomers (if we have) comedian, film stars, musicians, historians, poets, lecturers, doctors, professors, politicians, singers, programmers, producers … on and on in this (Farhang Nama) ….

The next part of Farhang Nama needs, searching about our great {{Gom Name personalities}} (anonymous, unidentified; having no name) our Shohada (Martyrs) who died in the cause of Allah (SWT) and the dignity and sovereignty of our Homeland –Afghanistan.

Mr. Azizpoor contacted me and asked for help and translation of the book. I was (very glad) over the moon, to give him a hand of help and collaboration.

What exactly we want is; we have to work collectively to complete the translation text of the book and collect the profile(Zandagi Nama) of our relatives, friends and people we know about their educational background and academic activities, than pass the information(Zandagi Nama) if it is in Farsi to Sallar Azizpoor , to his ( salar_azizpour@yahoo.de ) and, if it is in English you can pass it to myself(Abdul Ali Faiq) (faiqpk@yahoo.com ) .It is time we must re-act actively and do something to our Province . I am looking forward to see your co-operation and practical supports. Thanks!!

Regards,           

Panjshir Online Team

Our sympathies and supports to Jawazjani brave people and their leader

By: Abdul Ali Faiq

A peaceful supporters of democracy in the northern town of Shiberghan-Afghanistan, on Monday, 28, May 2007 demanding the removal of the provincial governor of Jowzjan’s province, Juma Khan Hamdard, who is a warlord and a member of Gulbuddin Hekmatyar- the leader of Hezb-i-Islami and ally of al-Qaeda who has participated and supported terrorist globally and, he is the most top-list US wanted terrorist-. The demonstrators were punished badly and killed savagely by the Joma khan Hamdard order, leaving at least 13 people dead, and 50 wounded. For more details, you can watch the clips. http://www.junbesh.net/sheberghan.html 

http://jawedan.com/index.php

Therefore, we express our deep sorrow and sadness to the families who lost dear ones in the name of democracy, freedom and human dignity in Jawajan province. Without any doubt, their bloods and souls will be a shinny example of sacrifice for salvation of mankind from slavery and injustice. Their names and braveries will remain in the heart of our history as liberators and demonstrators for justice and equality!

We prolong our supports once more for the brave Jawazjani people and, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan leader. Meanwhile, we would like express our deep and heartfelt sympathies and condolences to Jawajzani martyrs families, who lost their lives in a good cause! God bless their souls!

I am neither Afghan, nor Aughani…

By: Abdul Ali Faiq

I am neither Afghan, nor Aughani,

I am not Pakhton, nor Pakhtonistani,

I am neither topaksalar (a), nor Talebani,

I am not tribalist, nor terrorist,

I am neither killer, nor troublemaker,

I am not Taliban, nor destroyer,

I am neither looter, nor barbarian,

I am not savage nor aggressor

I am neither Hakmatyar (b) nor Mullah Omar, (c)

Both whom made our country hell-fire,

I am neither communist, nor dogmatist,

I am neither naturalist, nor nationalist,

 I am neither extremist, nor fundamentalist,

I am neither Khalqi (d) nor Parchami,

I am not Nazi Malat, nor tribal missionary,

I am neither Aughan Malat (e), nor Zaher Shahi (f),

I am not barbarian, nor Afghani

I am neither Talib, nor Pakistani

I am neither Al-Qaeda nor Mullah Rabbani (g)

I am not Panjsheri*, nor Badakhshani*,

I am not Takharistani*, nor Mazari*

I am not Kabulistani*, nor Parwani*

I am neither Bameyani*, nor Kapisa-e*

I am not Iranian, nor Englistani,

But want to be civilized Khorasani (h)!

___________

(a) warlord: tribal military leader who has authority over an area

(b)Mullah Omar is a butcher and leader of Taliban, Qandahari Origin

(c) Warlord and leader of the Hezb-e Islami party

(d) Pro-communist Khalq, and Parcham parties backed by USSR

(e) Afghan Milat or Afghan Nation Party or Afghan Nazi Party

(f) Zahir Shah is son of Mohammed Nader Shah, who did genocide the other ethnicities in Afghanistan.

(g) Mullah Rabbani was the second most criminal and blood-sucker member of the Taliban movement.

 (h) Land of the Rising Sun

Mohammad Yunos Qanooni

Profile, sacrifices, optimism, competence and vision for the future

By: Abdul Ali Faiq

The profile of Mohammad Yunos Qanooni:

Yunos Qanooni, son of Mullah Muhammed Yousuf, was born in Panjshir province in 1957. He completed his secondary education in 1977, and obtained a degree in Islamic theology from the University of Kabul in 1980. He got married with a Pashtun woman from Kama, Nangarhar Province, the niece of a supporter of King Zahir Shah, Uzbek Dr. Seerat. and has six children. He joined the Afghan resistance in early 1980's as a member of the Jamiat-e-Islami Party led by Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Mr. Yunos Qanooni played a very significant role during his career, specifically during the Jihad (Holy War) against the Red Army and the Taliban.  He was one of the most competent ministers in the government of president Karzai. He proved to be a hero war as well as peace, as he himself once stated. He has also served as the ministers of defense, interior and Education since 1992. He is a moderate intellectual who has gained considerable administrative skills. He has a soft spoken man and with a flexible and easy-going manner. He always talks and work for national unity, solidarity, peace and tranquility. However, his efforts and hopes to this end have been undermined by certain political parties, such as the nationalist Afghan Mellat Party, and some figures in the current government. Mr. Qanooni also fulfilled his moral responsibility at the following posts:

He had headed several delegations for talks with exiled Afghan leaders, including former king Zahir Shah, in an attempt to unite the anti-Taleban groups. Following Masood's assassination on 09 September 2001, Qanooni became the political head of the anti-Taliban United Front. He was named the interior minister when the United Front captured Kabul on 13 November 2001. He also headed the UF's delegation in the talks at Bonn, where his motivation, performance and negotiating skills impressed many diplomats. He faced his first political setback when Hamid Karzai moved him from the interior ministry to the education ministry in order to promote Pashto on power in the government. Despite his marriage to a Pashto on women and eloquence in Pashtu language he has found it hard to broaden his political appeal beyond his Tajik community. During the presidential election, he chose a Pashto on, Taj Mohammed Wardak, and Sayid Husain Aalimi Balkhi, from the Shia Hazara ethnic group, as his running mates. (1)

Yunos Qanooni was a very close aide to Ahmad Shah Masood. When Masood decided to create the commanders council in 1987-1988, Yunos Qanooni was appointed the spokesman and the chief of the political bureau. After the fall of Kabul in September 1996, Qanooni took part in the meetings that lead to the creation of the Supreme Council for the Defense of the Motherland (Masood, Karim Khalili and general Dostom also took part in the creation of the Council). Since the beginning of 2001, Qanooni lead several official missions to Europe and Rome, especially to meet with important Afghan figures and groups abroad to discuss joint efforts to strengthen the resistance against Pakistani backed Taliban and to help achieve durable peace through Afghans free political will. He, Aref Noorzai and General Husein Anwari set up a new council to topple the Taliban and establish a new government with ex-king Zaher Shah. (2)

Sacrifices at Bonn Conference:

As a matter of fact that, Qanooni played a very vital role in Bonn Agreement, as many analysts agree. He was named ‘the messenger of peace for Afghanistan'. Qanooni made a great deal of efforts towards the inter-Afghan Bonn Agreement. Most of his Tajik fellows were not happy with the decisions made at Bonn conference. But he convinced many and led the delegation with high professionalism and played a very important and diplomatic role in Bonn Agreement. His efforts played a key role in paving the way for the new Afghanistan. Below is an excerpt of his interview with Vaiju Naravane of India's National Magazine in Bonn in which he outlines his hope for the future:

Q. Are you happy with the outcome of the Bonn talks? What will be the first priority for your country?

A. It goes without saying that I am happy with the results of the Bonn negotiations. It is an event of historic importance, which will leave its imprint on the history of the Afghan people. The agreement will lead to peace and a happy future for my country.

Q. Afghanistan has been in the grip of a cruel civil war. Do you think that the regional chiefs will now be willing to relinquish power and authority to the interim government?

A. It is clear that those who possess arms in Afghanistan today and whom we describe as "armed chieftains" must be integrated into the country's regular Army under the new interim government. Otherwise they will become a source of anarchy and instability. I am convinced that those whom we call armed chiefs will place the interests of the country before any other consideration and those they will play a key role in the peace process. They were heroes during times of war. They must now become the heroes of peace, if God so wills.

Q. The document you have signed says specifically that no amnesty will be given to those guilty of human rights abuses and war crimes against civilians and prisoners of war. How will you bring these criminals to book? Do you think that there should be an international tribunal for Afghanistan on the lines of the international court on the former Yugoslavia?

A. Of course we want the war criminals to be tried and judged - those who have committed atrocities against their own people. But we must make a distinction between those who fought foreign aggression during the Soviet Union occupation and those who killed their own people alongside Red Army soldiers. There is also an important distinction to be made between those who fought the Taliban and outsiders like Pakistan, Osama bin Laden and other foreigners. The Taliban and its leaders lit the brazier of war and killed innocent Afghans, and these criminals must be brought to justice in the same manner as the Yugoslav warlords. Justice and wisdom must carry the day.

Q. What role can India play in the future of Afghanistan?

A. We have profound historical and cultural ties with the great India. India has never interfered in our internal affairs. On the other hand, India has helped us during moments of great hardship and need. India is a great nation and the great civilization of the Asian continent. It can greatly contribute in the fields of education and industry and in training Afghanistan's future civil service, as it did just after Independence. Every Afghan carries the people of India in his heart and knows that Indians wish Afghanistan and its people well.

Q. What role do you see for the United Nations Force in the long run and the short run?

A. We expect and we prefer Afghans to take charge of the security of their country since they know their nation and their people better than anyone else. If the need is felt, we would probably require a temporary, limited, U.N. force. I do not think we shall require it. However, it is better to wait for the installation of the provisional government on December 22 and see what will be decided.

Q. You have pledged to withdraw all armed units from Kabul and other urban centers. Is that a promise you can keep?

A. Yes, we have decided on the withdrawal of all armed units from the streets of Kabul and their return to military positions they held earlier. With the help of God, we shall be able to put into practice the decisions agreed upon in Bonn. (3)

No doubt that the achievements made possible by Qanooni in Bonn conference have positively, dramatically and directly affected the current situation in Afghanistan, despite Karzai government's nepotism, corruption, nationalism, injustices and uncountable other problems. Qanooni really did his best towards the future of Afghanistan in Bonn as many analysts acknowledge. He was the key person for the success of the Bonn Agreement. For the more details you may see the following interview as well! Following is a near-verbatim transcript of the English interpretation of today’s briefing at 3.30 pm Bonn time by Mr. Yunos Qanooni, head of the United Front delegation:

In the name of God, as everyone knows there are historic meetings taking place on the initiative of the United Nations and with the Federal Republic of Germany being the host. In the meantime we thank the organizers of this Event, i.e. the United Nations and the Federal Republic of Germany. We are hopeful that this series of meetings will lead to a sort of constructive agreement, which will lead to a permanent peace and stability in our country. The opening meetings took place yesterday and different groups put forward their views about their transitional mechanism. The uniting points, the common points, in the talks which took place yesterday were more than the points which had to do with potential disagreements. As far as the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the United Front is concerned, we have supported the proposed plan of The United Nations on bringing about peace and stability as far as the sort of transitional mechanism is concerned.

As we announced yesterday, in principle and on a general basis, we agree with the plan, but as far as the details are concerned we are holding talks amongst ourselves and we will announce them in due course. Today we had internal meetings amongst different groups. The results of these meetings were useful and positive. And I suppose that we should be hopeful that in the remaining two to three days we will reach positive and Constructive conclusions. Of course this is not our expectation to walk along the route of the past 23 years overnight. We believe that as far as we agree on general points and on principles, so far we have been successful and we are Hopeful that in details there are potential hopes that we will reach positive conclusions. We hope that we will have another press conference at the end of this series of meetings so that we give you the good News from the people of Afghanistan so that you relay to the people of the world, [(interpreter) and the previous Point I should just mention that Mr. Qanooni was referring to the details as far as the transition period and the Loya Jirga are concerned.] I would like to thank you too, for paying enough attention and having detailed coverage of this important conference and now I would like to take your questions.

Question: The Northern Alliance has said in the past that it does not want a multinational force but an all-Afghan Police force to ensure security in the country. Now that you have had a chance to speak with some of the other delegations can you understand their preference for the involvement of foreign forces, do you see that as likelihood now?

Answer: As we have made it clear in the past and the present also we believe, we prefer that security is looked after with Afghan forces themselves. A force composed of different ethnic groups and different parties and still we insist on that but so far there has not been any detailed discussion about the composition of the peacekeeping force.

Question: Mr. Qanooni, could you outline in more detail please, what were the major topics you addressed today, what are the major problems you tried to tackle today?

Answer: As I mentioned, we had meetings among ourselves and for example we have been discussing the criteria on what personalities, what kind of people should take part in the interim council and we have reached some levels, which will lead to more agreements and more positive conclusions.

Question: How confident are you that whatever is agreed here in Bonn will be accepted by leaders in Afghanistan, especially the Northern Alliance leaders and how often are you in touch with them throughout this week?

Answer: The delegation which has come to Bonn representing the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the United Front is representing actually the Islamic State of Afghanistan and the United Front and it has been appointed by them so we hope that whatever decisions we take will be agreed with them as well. We don’t see any problem.

Question: Can you tell us in some more detail on which topics you didn’t reach an agreement yet, on which topics you disagreed?

Answer: As I said before we are now in the middle of the talks and we are not in a position to tell you about the details and we are hopeful that at the end of the talks we will give you the good news about the positive conclusions in which we hope that the expectations of the Afghan people and the international community are reflected

Question: Mr. Qanooni, are you in favor of the multi-national force on the ground in Afghanistan, or not?

Answer: As I mentioned, we don’t feel the need for an outside peacekeeping force and at the moment there is full security in place. If there is a need for extra security, then of course we can have combined forces from the ethnic groups inside Afghanistan.

Question: My question has two parts. You are quite isolated on the Petersburg, first of all, how much communication do you have, for example, with President Rabbani in Kabul, and second of all, what influence does foreign observers exert on your meetings and discussions?

Answer: We are in contact with President Rabbani almost every day and we expect from the international observers to agree with what the Afghans agree amongst themselves. And this is clear that the Afghans have never been influenced by foreign influence and we are of course grateful to the United Nations and international observers for their support so far. And the Afghans, of course, when they talk amongst themselves, they consider national interests and put national interests before anything else.

Question: Mr. Qanooni, you said about the you looking number-wise also that Northern Alliance will have this number of seats or personalities that will be included in the interim administration. So is the other group will have this number of seats?