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[ 27 Auqust 2004 ]
Interior Ministry Rejects Reports Of Troop Dispatch To Herat...
Amin Tarzi
The Afghan Interior Ministry rejected reports that troops from the Balkh Province in northern Afghanistan have arrived in the western Herat Province, Afghanistan Television reported on 26 August. Abdul Karim Afghan, a spokesman for Amanullah Khan, a local warlord in Herat, claimed on 25 August that Balkh Governor Ata Mohammad Nur has dispatched 2,000 fighters to support Herat Governor Mohammad Ismail Khan (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 26 August 2004). Afghan also accused Iran of providing weapons to Ismail Khan. In a statement, the Interior Ministry said that it "rejects claims made by Aref Afghan and regards such claims as rumors." Afghan has been identified by Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) as Abdul Karim and the number of troops he is alleged to have been sent are 2,000. In its statement the Interior Ministry refers to "Aref Afghan" and gives the number of fighters as 2,500. The Interior Ministry statement does not mention the allegation of Iranian military support (for more on the Herat crisis, see "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report," 18 and 26 August 2004).
...While Herat's Neighbors Condemn The Dispatch Of Troops...
Spokesmen for the Ghor and Badghis provinces to the west and northwest of Herat, respectively, condemned the dispatch of forces from Balkh to help Ismail Khan, AIP reported on 26 August. Ahmad Ayyubi, spokesman for Ghor's Public Council, told AIP that the "dispatch of forces from other provinces to Herat is a negative action and we are strictly against it." According to Ayyubi, sending troops from other provinces will only complicate the situation, and only efforts "in line with the central government's instructions" can be helpful. General Mohammad Omar Nezami, speaking for Badghis Governor Azizullah Afzali, also condemned the dispatch of forces to Herat and said it will "create tension in the area." "The only way to resolve the Herat problem is to sack Mohammad Ismail Khan from his post," Nazemi added. A delegation representing Balkh Governor Nur and the leader of Junbish-e Melli party, General Abdul Rashid Dostum, is in Herat trying to mediate between Ismail Khan and Ghor Governor Ebrahim Malikzadah and Afzali; however, Nezami said that the delegation would not able to solve the problem as long as Ismail Khan rules Herat. AT
Clashes In Laghman Province Leave Casualties...
Three people have been killed and six, including women, have been injured in clashes between two armed groups in Laghman Province east of Kabul, AIP reported on 26 August. An unidentified security official from Laghman, confirmed the clashes, added that the incident took place in Korini village and it was brought to an end by the provincial security forces who also detained a number of people. The identity of the armed groups and the cause of the clash is not known. AT
Candidates Calling For Resignation Of Karzai Extend Their Deadline
Fifteen presidential candidates calling for Afghan Transitional Administration Chairman Hamid Karzai to resign before the 9 October elections have extended their deadline by another week, Hindukosh News Agency reported on 26 August. The candidates held a meeting on 26 August in which they invited Karzai to meet with them on 3 September or another date and clarify issues related to the election. The chairman of the meeting, independent candidate Homayun Shah Asefi, alleged that interior and border affairs ministries are inviting tribal and clan chiefs and are giving them ultimatums to vote for Karzai. Earlier in August, at a meeting led by independent candidate Abdul Sattar Sirat, a call was made for Karzai's resignation (see "RFE/RL Afghanistan Report," 26 August 2004). According to the report, out of the 17 candidates challenging Karzai, only Abdul Hasib Aryan and Mas'uda Jalal are not backing the call for his resignation. Karzai has rejected the call, calling it unconstitutional. AT
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