The opposition in Afghanistan

From Asia Times, an interview with Yunus Qanooni, mujahideen opposition leader. Some excerpts:

ATol: Is the future of Afghanistan secular or Islamic?

YQ: Afghanistan is a Muslim country, with a 99% Muslim population. There is no place for secularism in Afghanistan. Our official religion is Islam and no system will be acceptable other than Islam. However, let me make clear here that the Taliban's concepts of Islam are not acceptable. Islam is a progressive and tolerant religion. Moderate and tolerant Islam is the future of Afghanistan and the international community should not be concerned on that because an Islamic welfare state of Afghanistan would not pose any threat to anybody, nor have any agenda against anybody....

ATol: The Karzai government has announced a general amnesty for all Taliban. Is there any chance for people like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar? [ Hekmatyar heads the Hizb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) . Hekmatyar is a legendary mujahideen figure who fought against the occupying Soviets in the 1980s and became premier in 1993. He remains active in the Taliban-led insurgency.]

YQ: I disagree with the Karzai government's dialogue policy with the Taliban. As a result of this wrong policy, violence and terrorism is encouraged in Afghanistan. I do not see any chance that the government will achieve any success with this policy. The Taliban have only exploited this chance and the number of their attacks has intensified. I tell you, the Taliban have a rigid ideology and they will not compromise on that until their ideology gets recognition in the government, and they will not give up their fight against the government....

ATol: Warlordism is a problem in Afghanistan. Why it is not controllable?

YQ: This problem has not really been identified - who is a warlord and who is not? There is no absolute definition when one talks about warlordism in Afghanistan. When it suits, they are given government offices and they are not blamed as warlords, but when political differences emerge, they are blamed for warlordism. The same with terrorism in southern and southeastern Afghanistan. This does not mean that the Taliban are strong in those areas, it means that the government strategy is weak. There is a strong presence of the national army, police and coalition forces, and despite that, if violence is not controlled, it means that the government's strategy is flawed.

ATol: What share does Pakistan have in the insurgency in Afghanistan?

YQ: Pakistan supports the Taliban. However, it is neither in the national interest of Pakistan nor of Afghanistan. Both countries should take care of each other's interests and should have a policy of friendship....