The United Nations sees a role for Afghanistan's former king and for sections of the ruling Taliban militia in a new government which it hopes will emerge from the current crisis, a top official of the world body said Thursday.
Francesc Vendrell, head of the UN mission to Afghanistan, said the UN believed that all factions in Afghanistan should come together in the Loya Jirga, or traditional meeting of chiefs, proposed by the former king, Zahir Shah, to establish a new interim administration.
"All Afghans should have a role in the establishment of an interim broad based government but none of the elements can claim any legitimacy unless there been a very transparent Loya Jirga or some other internationally acceptable process," he said.
Asked specifically about the role of the Taliban, which is not recognized by the UN as the government of Afghanistan despite its control of 90 percent of the country, Vendrell replied: "There is a role for everybody in Afghanistan, but this role must have the backing of the Afghan people.
"There are Taliban who are decent people, with whom I have been able to have an exchange of views."
He also underlined the UN's belief that the 86-year-old former monarch, ousted in a coup in 1973, could have a major role to play in his country's future.
"I would say that I have heard very few, if any, Afghans speak against Zahir Shah and very many speak in his favor."
The envoy said Shah's rule in the 1960's was now regarded as a golden era by Afghans who have since endured the 1979-89 Soviet occupation and 12 years of civil war.
"He was the only ruler who did not harm the Afghans," he said.
Vendrell added that any political solution would only be sustainable if it was backed up by a massive international reconstruction effort in the war-ravaged country.
"The vast majority of the Afghan people have been helpless hostages in their own country for far too long. The international community must not let them down -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
