WASHINGTON: The bloodstained politics of Afghanistan is creating a new opportunity for Iran and the USA to find common ground. Whether either country will grasp it is as uncertain as the outcome of the fighting around Kabul.
Enemies since Islamic militants stormed the US Embassy in Teheran nearly 13 years ago, the two nations want the same outcome in Afghanistan a coalition government that will Prevent the country from breaking apart,
On the other hand, Pakistan, a longtime US ally, sees advantage in a fractured Afghanistan, Given the limitations that Wash unity for closer cooperation with Teheran may be the best the Bush administration can hope for in Afghanistan.
Abdul Rahim Hatif anon communist took over as acting president announced. President Najibullah, who was put in Power by Moscow by 1986, remains in hiding. While rival insurgent factions encircled the capital, powerful rebel commander Ahmed Shah Masood said he was putting together a coalition that will seek to replace the crumbling government.
“Please, do not have violence,” was the plaintive appeal from the US State Department to the rival factions, When it comes to having an impact on the fighting, former State Department official on Central Asia Paul Goble says “We ought 0 recognize that our ability to affect the immediate outcome is nil. We’re not Ruing to prevent the Overthrow of whatever is left of that government and don’t think we should.”
Goble said the administration ought to be thinking about an aid Package,
“This is a country that has been desolated by a terrible war whose prosecution was arguably extended by US assistance he said we have a moral on ligation to do something.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 15, 1992
