| |
NEWSNOTES
WORLDWATCH
 Afghanistan:
In the 84-year-old former king Mohammad Zahir Shah could lie the hopes
of a country torn by war for two decades. In the event that the US attacks
Afghanistan and dislodges the Taliban in the aftermath of the September
11 terrorist attacks, Shah could well become a compromise candidate to
fill the ensuing leadership vacuum.
After ascending Kabul's throne on November 8,
1933, Shah reigned for 40 years, until his cousin and former prime minister
Muhammad Daud seized power in 1973. Since then, Shah has been living in
Italy, trying to garner support to convene the Loya Jirga, an assembly
of leaders representing all tribal, regional and political sections of
the country. This traditional Afghan institution has the authority to
take decisions on major questions that concern the country. Importantly,
the Tajiks, who form the core of the Northern Alliance opposed to the
Taliban and comprise a quarter of the population, would be represented
on this body, as would the Pashtuns, who make up about 40 per cent of
the population.
The former king has received support from the
UN, the US and many European nations, besides Afghan chieftains. Several
tribal chiefs and leaders of warring factions attended a meeting he organised
in Rome on November 22, 1999. A few days later, James Rubin, then US State
Department spokesman, welcomed the initiative, saying, "The United
States and others will continue to encourage the Rome process." That
encouragement may well happen once again. Whether it will end in a recoronation
depends on what unfolds now. The man who would be king again could be
in for another wait.
—Charu Khanna
|
|
Web
Exclusives
