Meeting of minds in Tehran

Dawn (Editorial)

THE statement issued in Tehran at the end of Pakistan Chief Executive Gen Pervez Musharraf's visit to Iran raises hopes that events in Afghanistan might, after all, take a positive turn in the new millennium. Iran and Pakistan are the two countries most directly affected by the developments in Afghanistan and also have an effective say in that strife-torn country's affairs. Since their policies vis-a-vis Kabul began to diverge after 1992 when the civil war began, Afghanistan has been sucked deeper and deeper into the quagmire of internecine conflict. With Tehran and Islamabad backing opposing factions in the Afghan civil war, a stalemate became inevitable in what emerged as a no-win situation for the rival Afghan factions. This will hopefully be broken now that General Musharraf has reached an understanding with the Iranian government.

The most significant aspect of the Tehran talks is that the two sides have agreed to coordinate their policies to facilitate the on-again, off-again peace process through reconciliation and dialogue among the Afghan parties. Given the intransigence and inflexibility shown by them so far, one cannot of course assume that after the Tehran talks peace is round the corner in that war-torn country. But what seems fairly certain is that once Iran and Pakistan make it clear to their Afghan allies that nothing but a cool-headed and conciliatory approach will be acceptable and supported, the tangled issues will begin to unravel, making it easier to attempt peace and normalization. In 1999, the Afghan parties entered into two rounds of negotiations at Tashkent and Ashkabad in an attempt to work out a ceasefire and the formation of a broad-based government in Kabul, but the process proved barren of results because of bad faith and deep mutual distrust between the ruling Taliban and Ahmed Shah Masoud-led Northern Alliance. With some prodding from Islamabad and Tehran, some progress should now be possible.

In the context of the establishment of a broad-based government, it is clear that Pakistan's role will be crucial in an intra-Afghan dialogue. The Taliban, who look to Pakistan for support in their present state of diplomatic isolation, have created obstacles in the way of an accord. Controlling nearly 90 per cent of Afghan territory and firmly entrenched in the capital city, they feel no compulsion to share power with the other ethnic groups which have rallied together under the umbrella of the Northern Alliance (now renamed the United Front). But considering the multi-ethnic composition of the Afghan population, it is not possible to have a political settlement with the ethnic minorities except on the basis of sharing of power equitably. Neither is a military solution feasible because a pursuit of that elusive goal would be a recipe for an endless war of attrition. Since Pakistan is the Taliban's key supporter, Islamabad will have to persuade them - even with a rap on the knuckles if need be - to drop their militancy and hardline stance vis-a-vis other groups and factions active on the Afghan scene.

The United Nations secretary-general should now respond to this positive development by reactivating his special representative's mission for peace and reconciliation. Mr Lakhdar Brahimi had left the region some months ago in sheer frustration following the failure of his mediation efforts. He may find the two sides more amenable to reason and common sense in the changed context. The Afghan war is not something to be made light of. The country has been in a state of war for over two decades and the agony and sufferings of its people know no bounds. Several hundred thousand have died or have been maimed. Many more have been rendered homeless and reduced to utter destitution. What is worse, there is no light at the end of the tunnel for the war-ravaged country. The accord reached in Tehran between General Musharraf and the Iranian leaders on the fundamental elements of peace, normalization and a political settlement in Afghanistan offers a glimmer of hope which should not be wasted through lack of follow-up action.

Also to be welcomed is the happy tiding that Pakistan-Iranian relations are to be restored to their earlier state of friendliness and understanding. It is a pity that the Afghan crisis had been allowed to strain the ties between the two countries to a point of hurting their cordial and fraternal bonds which have been rooted in history and shared values and convictions. It is encouraging that the leadership of the two countries considered it important to give priority to their bilateral relations and resolve the issues, such as the murder of Iranians in Pakistan by sectarian fanatics and some trade disputes, which have strained their ties. Friendship with Iran has always been the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy and this must be preserved and deepened as a factor of strength and reassurance for both countries.