Analysts and tribal elders in Afghanistan have condemned U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke over statements he made against the Pashtuns, according to an Afghan new website.
Holbrooke reportedly said that the Taliban had put down roots on both sides of the Pakistan and Afghanistan border, adding that each Pashtun family has at least one member with links to the Taliban, according to a report on the Afghan website pajhwok.com.
A number of political analysts called his statement irresponsible.
Abdul Ghafoor Liwal, an Afghan academic, condemned the statement, saying that such remarks will harm the international community’s confidence in Pashtuns.
Faizullah Omar, a tribal elder from the Chaparhar district in the eastern Nangarhar province, said that such statements do not contribute to finding a solution to Afghanistan’s problems. He added that problems could be solved through talks.
Omar accused the U.S. envoy of wanting to divide the Afghan people into two groups – Pashtuns and non-Pashtuns. The tribal elder also accused the Americans of providing arms to the Taliban.
Khushal Rohi, head of the Afghan Culture Society, a cultural organization, said that Pashtuns were the victims of the Cold War in the past and are now facing the conspiracies of international intelligence agencies.
“Such statements are conspiracies against the Pashtuns. I think Holbrooke has not studied Afghanistan,” he added.
Sayed Amin Mujahid, an official of the Afghan Academy of Sciences, said that the latest Holbrooke’s statement revealed his ignorance about Afghanistan.
An elder from the Ahmadzai tribe, Haji Alwak Kakozai, said that Holbrooke’s statement was an insult to Pashtuns. He added that the Pashtuns are called Taliban because they are defending their country and honor.
Source: www.pajhwok.com, Afghanistan, March 7, 2010
