NEW DELHI: Russia has indicated its willingness to give asylum to deposed Afghanistan President Dr. Mohammed Najibullah, according to diplomatic sources. But it has not made a formal offer yet.
After his unsuccessful attempt to fly to New Delhi on April 16, Dr. Najibullah has been living on the premises of the United Nations mission in Kabul. His family has been in New Delhi for several weeks as guests of Afghanistan’s Ambassador Abdul Sarwar, whose wife and Dr. Najibullah wife are sisters. Both the families have been evacuated to safety by the Indian Government and are staying in a five-star hotel.
Arrangements had been made for Dr. Najibullahs stay in New Delhi but with the United Nations peace plan over taken by events in Kabul, negotiations between the regime in Kabul and the United Nations Special Envoy Benon Sevan have been put on the back burner,
While the United States and Russia have asked that Dr.Najibullah be allowed to leave the country, Sevan has been under pressure to hand him to the Mujahideen. But he has held his ground on this point.
Dr. Najibullah cannot leave the country without the Kabul regime clearance. Before the new power structure under Prof Sibhgatullah Mojadidi emerged, the Watan Party was willing to negotiate the modalities of Dr. Najibullahs exit with the UN special envoy. But Gen Rustam Douste, whose militant controls the access to the airport prevented Dr.Najibullahs departure on April 16, wants the deposed President tried on yet unspecified charges. As section of the Watan Party seems to agree with him.
Meanwhile, Home Minister S.B.Chavan said India was willing to give Dr.Najibullah asylum if he sought it. In the past New Delhi had maintained that there was no formal request for asylum from him but admitted that there had been from some “leaders.” The elaborate security and other arrangements mounted by New Delhi were explained away as intended for his temporary stay which meant transit. Pakistan has ruled out asylum for Dr.Najibullah but has promised any transit facility needed.
By giving asylum to Dr.Najibullah, India would be contracting a heavy diplomatic liability, according to analysts here. The liability would be greater if major parties to the Afghan parles do not agree to his exit. India would at best offer him temporary asylum if all the concerned parties agree to it.
India is known to have given asylum to three personalities in the past. The first was the Dalai Lama who fled Tibet following the collapse of the Khampa revolt in 1959. This was on humanitarian grounds and on condition that he would not engage in political activity. The second was former Prime Minister U Nu of Burma who came in the 70s to live in a monastery and had renounced politics. He later returned to his country, was imprisoned and released only a few days ago. The third is A Varadharaja Perumal, the Chief Minister of Sri-Lankans North-eastern province who fled the island before the Peace Keeping Force, which was underwriting his Government in Trincomalee, returned to India, After a stay in Mauritiner Pertimal, he could not get asylum in Australia, and has been living in a town in Madhya Pradesh and has not made a public appearance.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1992
