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| Northern Alliance and Afghanistan's Former King to Cooperate |
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WED, OCT 17, 2001
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The Taliban's opposition, Afghanistan's Northern Alliance, says that "Phase One" of the war is complete and that the Northern Alliance would coordinate ground attacks with the United States. Meanwhile the former Afghan King agrees to cooperate to create a coalition government.
Northern Alliance Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said on Tuesday that Alliance forces had experience in fighting terrorists on their own soil for many years and their presence in a joint effort would be a great help to the international coalition. He said that their aim now, is to work together to strike where the Taliban is weakest, and to oust the hardline religious extremists as early as possible. Their ultimate goal he said, is to help form a new government with the former King Zahir Shah.
The 89 year old former Afghan king said that he is prepared to play a substantial role in the political future of Afghanistan. He said that there are elements of the Taliban who want to cooperate in the peace process and he would like to see a government that represents all of Afghanistan's diverse ethnic groups. The king's overthrow in 1973 by his cousin, is seen as the start of decades of problems that further impoverished the country, causing wars and ethnic conflict in Afghanistan.
At a meeting in Pakistan, Colin Powell and Pakistani President Musharraf voiced their support for a coalition government. Powell went on to say that getting rid of the present repressive regime is a must.
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