ISLAMABAD, Oct 6: Supporting regional solution to the Afghan problem, the speakers at a conference on Thursday rejected foreign interference into its internal affairs and urged that Afghanistan be allowed to settle the conflict according to its own traditions and requirements.
On the second day of the conference titled, 'Transition in Afghanistan: Post exit Scenarios' jointly organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) of Germany, the speakers said that Afghanistan be recognised as an independent sovereign state.
In his forceful address, Iranian scholar Dr Kayhan Barzegar rejected any understanding with the US as far as Afghanistan was concerned since American strategy in Afghanistan was to undermine Iran's interests in its neighbourhood.
While addressing on the occasion, American scholar Dr Brian Katulis blamed the US-led intervention in Afghanistan for repeating mistakes and expecting different results. He thought that the 2014 deadline could be extended over the decade. He thought the US was in no rush and neither was it interested in a new great game. Its behaviour could be governed by the impending economic crisis in which the present war had a big contribution, he said and added that the regional approach, which was being promoted, should also be spelled out and the world community must know the contents of the game plan.Dr Christian Wagner, a German scholar speaking on the responsibilities of the international community in rebuilding Afghanistan said that the role of the world agencies would continue beyond 2014 and this role would be greater than that of the regional stakeholders as their role would be marred by clash of interests. He said Afghanistan would be relegated in their scheme of things and the western countries would have greater interest in the Middle East after withdrawing from Afghanistan.
Lt-Gen (retired) Kamal Matinuddin said that the conflict started after the fall of Daud. He said the post-exit scenario depended on four actions. One, the Taliban who were the most important, two, the Afghan national army which is being built to face the Taliban, three, the Haqqani network and four, the US troops that would remain behind.
Former ambassador Rustam Shah Mahmood rejected the 9/11 story and said the attacks on the Twin Towers was the work of the CIA and Mossad to provide an excuse for the action against Afghanistan and get a foothold in the region. He said the Fata remained peaceful throughout the war against the Soviets. All trouble broke loose after 9/11. The solution in his view lay in withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and allowing Afghanistan to settle its affairs without outside interference.
General (retired) Asad Durrani asked how the US, which has lost the war in Afghanistan, could put conditions on the victor.
ANP leader Afrasiab Khattak summed up the findings of the conference in three words: non-interference in Afghan affairs, regional support in economic matters and continued constructive role of the international community.Meanwhile, a delegation of Hans Seidel Foundation of Germany called on Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali. While talking to the delegation, Jan Jamali said that foreign troops should leave Afghanistan to let the people of war-ravaged country decide its fate and give dialogue a chance which is only viable solution to end imbroglio after a decade of war. The delegation comprised Dr Peter Witterauf, Chief Executive Officer of the Hanns Siedel Foundation and Hanns Buehle, Desk Officer (South and East Asia).