Musharraf, Powell See Some Future Role for Taliban

30/04/2001| IslamWeb

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Secretary of State Colin Powell on Tuesday revived a stagnant relationship with agreement that any future Afghan government should include the opposition as well as Taliban members.
``Former king Zahir Shah, political leaders, moderate Taliban leaders, elements from the (opposition) Northern Alliance, tribal elders, Afghans living outside their country ... all can play a role in this government,'' Musharraf told a joint news conference. (Photo)
Powell recognized that the hardline Taliban, now under attack from U.S. forces hunting down Osama bin Laden, said there were some moderate elements of the Taliban and they would have a role to play in Afghanistan's future.
``The term Taliban defines the current regime,'' Powell said. ''But it also defines a group of individuals or group of people.
``If you got rid of the regime, there will still be those who might find their teachings and feeling and believes of that movement are still very important and to the extent that they are willing to participate in the development of a new Afghanistan.''
Powell, in Pakistan to shore up support for the U.S.-led action against Afghanistan in pursuit of Saudi-born militant bin Laden and his Taliban protectors, said military action would not stop until all objectives had been met, but he hoped it would be short -- something Musharraf also wanted.
``We are focusing today on the terrorist threats emanating from Afghanistan and al Qaeda organization of Osama
bin Laden,'' Powell said. ``Obviously we want it to be short ... precise.''
THE KASHMIR ISSUE
Powell also said a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute was central to ending hostility between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan and urged the two to begin a dialogue.
Powell's visit marked a new phase in relations strained for several years and as he was en route to New Delhi on a trip to both of the world's newest nuclear powers and who both lie on the edge of the battle in Afghanistan.
Powell spoke just hours after the countries fought a fierce gunbattle across the disputed border in Kashmir, the first hostilities in 10 months between the long-time foes.