Reuters
Saturday
November 24 2:01 PM ET
Ex-King Aide: Afghan Talks Won't
Solve All Problems
By Eleanor Biles
ROME (Reuters) - A key aide to the former Afghan king threw his weight
on Saturday behind the upcoming U.N.-sponsored unity talks, saying they
were unlikely to solve all Afghanistan (news - web sites)'s problems but
represented a major step forward.
The delegation representing ex-king Mohammad Zahir Shah left Rome on
Saturday to attend the talks, which are intended to map the way to the
formation of a new government for war-ravaged Afghanistan after the
collapse of Taliban rule.
``Every Afghan has suffered. After so many years of fighting, the trust
has gone,'' Mostapha Zahir, the former king's grandson and delegation
member, told Reuters television as he was leaving for Germany, which is
hosting the talks.
``It is unlikely that the talks in Bonn can resolve all the problems,
but they are an important first step,'' he said.
The 87-year-old ex-monarch is sending an eight-strong delegation to Bonn
including two women to give a clear signal that both sexes have a key
role to play in the new Afghanistan.
``It is essential to come to an agreement on the formation of the
Supreme Council, a political structure that everybody agrees upon,''
Zahir said. ``That political structure will pave the way for the
convocation of the emergency Loya Jirga (grand council).
``I think that by and large everybody agrees on that part, but now we
have to go through the small details as to how we should proceed,'' he
said.
The United Nations (news - web sites) has suggested that the talks could
last up to two weeks. It has put forward a two-year plan for setting up
a government approved by a traditional Loya Jirga that represents
Afghanistan's many ethnic groups.
``It is up to us Afghans to start...the reconciliation process, to give
rights to all ethnic groups so that everybody has got equal
representation, everybody's voice is heard and can take part in the
social, economic and political life of the country, including the vital
role of women,'' Zahir said.
The talks were originally due to start on Monday but were pushed back
one day for logistical reasons.
The delay will also allow the 20 to 30 Afghan representatives expected
at the talks to confer among themselves and with U.N. officials before
the formal opening.
Zahir, who has been at the former king's side since the start of the
current crisis, said the informal pre-conference meetings would greatly
help the quest for an agreement.
``The delay gives us a bit of time to meet with people informally.
Usually, in Afghanistan, informal meetings are the best way to come to a
consensus,'' he said.
Zahir Shah was ousted in a bloodless coup in 1973 and has lived in Rome
ever since but still enjoys widespread support in Afghanistan.
His entourage says he should preside over any transition period as a
``father figure'' without necessarily regaining his throne.