The Hindu : Afghan Minister discusses security issues with PM

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 07, 2002

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National

Afghan Minister discusses security issues with PM

By Atul Aneja & Sandeep Dikshit

The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, with his counterpart from Afghanistan, M.Q. Fahim, in New Delhi on Monday. — AP

NEW DELHI MAY 6. Ahead of the democratic process being initiated with the formation of the Loya Jirga — the influential assembly of Afghan elders — Afghanistan's Defence Minister, Mohammad Qaseem Fahim, today met the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Minister for External Affairs, Jaswant Singh, and his counterpart, George Fernandes.

The two sides, as part of Kabul's consultation process with its key allies, also exchanged notes on reconstructing the war-devastated nation and imparting training to the Afghan defence forces. The Afghan security situation was discussed against the backdrop of restiveness among the Pashtuns.Significantly, Gen. Fahim, Afghanistan's only five-star General, survived an assassination bid only last month.

Pakistan too is attempting to regain influence in the region through some former Taliban commanders and supporters who have reportedly been sighted in Islamabad side of Pashtun territory.

It may be recalled that the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, had visited Kabul and promised to help in the rehabilitation of the war-torn nation. Gen. Fahim forms part of the core group from the Panjsher Valley which exercises substantial influence in the interim Afghan administration. He became the Northern Alliance's military chief after Ahmad Shah Masood's assassination in September last.

The Indian security establishment is also well acquainted with Afghanistan's security situation because of its plans to open consulates in Jalalabad and Kandahar, both places where the ruling Northern Alliance has traditionally not exercised much influence.India has already opened its embassy in Kabul and is planning to open its consulates in Mazar-e-Sharif and Heart soon.The Alliance's influence is discernable in both the places.

Gen. Fahim's talks with the defence establishment centred around the formation and structured training of an Afghan national Army.

His meeting with Mr. Fernandes was followed by interactions with the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. S. Padmanabhan, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy.

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