4 Threat Matrix: Hekmatyar offers terms for 'peace' in Afghanistan

Written by Bill Roggio on December 1, 2009 2:41 AM to 4 Threat Matrix

Available online at: http://www.longwarjournal.org/threat-matrix/archives/2009/12/hekmatyar_offers_terms_for_pea.php

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of a faction of the Hezb-i-Islami that is allied with the Taliban and al Qaeda, is toeing the Taliban line on conditions for "peace" in Afghanistan: a full US/NATO withdrawal and the "transfer of power to an Islamic government" (read: the Taliban). He even went one step further and is calling for the punishment of "deciding the fate of those people who supported the invaders." A partial translation of Hekmatyar's Eid speech is provided by MEMRI:

"Moscow and Washington want to repeat the same strategy which they followed after the withdrawal of Russian forces [at the end of the Cold War]. They jointly formed the Northern Alliance to continue fighting in the war-ravaged country "

"Our friends and enemies should know that the end to fighting in Afghanistan will be possible after the withdrawal of foreign forces and transfer of power to an Islamic government "

"We do not have personal enmity with any internal group or foreign county. We believe in peace and harmony. We want [a] just and peaceful solution to all issues. We accept realities. We stress that everybody should be given their due rights "

"[His proposals for stabilizing Afghanistan] Foreigners must pull out their troops from Afghanistan unconditionally; establishment of an interim government acceptable to all stakeholders; formation of a grand meeting of real representatives of the nation to make decisions about the county's constitution, army, police and the next government, besides deciding the fate of those people who supported the invaders and allowed them to interfere in the internal affairs of the country "