Taliban FM cooperates as Karzai heads to UAE

Monday February 11, 3:24 AM AFP

As Afghanistan's interim leaders stepped up diplomatic efforts to win badly needed aid, differences emerged over how best to handle the most senior Taliban official to have surrendered.

Cabinet chairman Hamid Karzai arrived in the United Arab Emirates, one of three countries which had recognised the Taliban regime, and Defence Minister Mohammad Qasim Fahim was scheduled to arrive in Moscow.

The Afghan leader's trip comes a day after the Pentagon announced the capture of the most senior Taliban minister to be detained so far -- the radical militia's foreign minister, Abdul Wakil Mutawakel.

Mutawakel surrendered to the US military in southern Kandahar province late Friday, and was quickly branded a "war criminal" who "supported terrorism" by interim Foreign Minister Abdullah.

But Kandahar provincial Governor Gul Agha told AFP late Saturday that Mutawakel, considered a "moderate" in the Taliban but still a close aide to supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, could expect rewards for cooperation.

"Mutawakel is cooperating with us. He has accepted the present Afghan set up and assured support to the present political process," Agha said in the Pakistani border town of Quetta.

"We will keep in view if he shows cooperation with interrogators, and he will definitely benefit."

Mutawakel's inside knowledge of the workings of the secretive Taliban and its relationship with Osama bin Laden could provide valuable leads for US forces trying to track down the September 11 terror suspect.

Karzai was greeted on arrival in Abu Dhabi by UAE army chief of staff Sheik Mohammad bin Zayed al-Nahayan and Information Minister Sehikh Abdulah bin Zayed, the state WAM newsagency reported.

The Afghan leader is due to meet Emirati president Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al-Nahayan on Monday.

His second trip the Middle East since taking the helm of the six-month administration in Kabul will complete sensitive fence-mending missions to the three countries that recognized the Taliban regime before September 11.

He made an official trip to Saudi Arabia last month and on Friday held historic talks with Pakistani leaders in Islamabad.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah said the visit to Abu Dhabi "is in line with our policy to expand our relations in the region, beyond the region with the Arab countries, with the Muslim countries".

Asked about the amount of time Karzai has spent abroad in recent weeks despite a host of problems at home, particularly with feuding provincial warlords, Abdullah said it was a matter of "finding the right balance".

Pakistan and Afghanistan buried the hatchet during Karzai's one-day visit to Islamabad, putting behind them Pakistan's support for the Taliban, with President Pervez Musharraf pledging full backing for the new administration.

Fahim was going to Moscow on Sunday to seek Russia's support in creating an Afghan army to replace the current patchwork of tribal and ethnic militias.

"It would be good if Russia helps in the reconstruction of the Afghan army. If that is so then we may sign an memorandum as well," Fahim's secretary, Mohammad Habeel, told AFP Sunday.

Fahim told the RIA-Novosti news agency on the eve of the visit to Moscow that Kabul was "extremely interested in a resumption of Russian arms supplies" and intended to conclude a "series of agreements" with the Russian defense ministry.

Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan in 1979, but left the country 10 years later in a humiliating defeat. Moscow later become one of the chief supporters of the anti-Taliban opposition forces.

Karzai has received offers of help from Britain and the United States for the creation of a new Afghan army, which it is hoped will end the power of ethnic and tribal warlords who rule much of the country.

One such tribal chief, ethnic Pashtun strongman Padsha Khan, on Sunday told AFP there would be more bloodshed in eastern Paktia province if he is not allowed to become governor.

Karzai has intervened between Khan, his choice for the governorship, and rival warlord Saif Ullah in a bid to resolve their fight for control of the province, which saw bloody clashes there late last month.

But Khan said he would accept no compromise on his position.

"That would create countless problems, it would cause bloodshed and inter-tribal fighting," he said.