Rabbani opposes military solution to conflict

KABUL (PAN): The High Peace Council chairman, pledging continued efforts for national reconciliation, on Tuesday voiced his aversion to a military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan
“There can be no military solution to the process, to the problems of Afghanistan and the people want peace and we will mobilise … Of course, working for peace will not be limited to Peace and National Unity Week…”
In an interview with NATO TV on the occasion of Peace and Unity Week, Salahuddin Rabbani said they would be pursuing peace because two important events had taken place.
He referred to last year’s assassination of father and former High Peace Council head Burhanuddin Rabbani, and International Day of Peace, which falls on the September 21.
According to Rabbani, the message the council is going to send the people of Afghanistan is that it will achieve the best result and that this message will reach the opponents who still insist on a military solution.
He hoped all Taliban leaders would one day come to the negotiating table, saying a number of them interested in a negotiated settlement of the problem were in contact with the High Peace Council.
The top peace negotiator confirmed a Tokyo meeting, attended by Taliban representatives. “There are some other talks and meetings taking place. We hope that these contacts and talks will increase in future.”
Peace talks were not limited to meetings in Doha, he said, stressing the role of Afghanistan’s neighbours in supporting the process. “Of course Pakistan is an important country and its contribution to the peace process is very important. Doha is one track; we are also in talks with Saudis, Qataris and other countries, other friends of Afghanistan in the region.”
“So we hope they will help the Afghans in the peace process. I think if Pakistan decides to help us, they are in a much better position to support the peace process,” Rabbani remarked.
Asked about the 2014 pullout of foreign troops, he acknowledged there would be challenges but Afghan national police and army would be in a much better position to stabilise the country.
“I hope by 2014 they will be taking even more areas under their control. I request the international friends of Afghanistan to keep supporting the training our national security institutions so that they could stand on their feet.”

 

ref: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/

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