Talaban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid In
Interview With CNN: Regarding The Issue Of Terrorism
26 Feb 2012
By Al-Ikhwah Al-Mujahidun
Alemarah website
presents to its viewers the interview of Zabihullah
Mujahid done with CNN news network on the 14/02/2012
where a range of questions regarding the current
ongoing situation and political issues are answered.
Q. Is it
possible for the Taliban to renounce international
terrorism in one of its written statements as per the
American demand?
A. All praise is due
to Allah and may his peace and blessings be upon his
chosen servant.
To proceed, I must
first and foremost say that we do not work according
to the guidelines of America or any other country but
all of our decisions are based on Islamic principles
while giving consideration to our national interests
however based on mutual respect, we do believe in
reaching an understanding with all the countries of
the world.
Now, regarding the
issue of terrorism:
If America and its
allies consider the current Jihad and struggle in
Afghanistan against the eradication of the occupation
and its continuation until all foreign troops leave
and an Islamic government is established as terrorism,
then we cannot shun this as it would be an un-Islamic
act because we consider this Jihad and struggle as our
Islamic obligation, the shunning of which is not
possible in any circumstance. However, as we continue
with this obligation (Jihad and struggle) we are
religiously held responsible in preventing civilian
casualties.
Q. Do you have
delegates based in Qatar at the moment who are engaged
in talks with America? If you don't, do you have plans
to send delegations in the near future?
A. A representative of
Islamic Emirate has held meetings with American
delegates in Qatar regarding confidence building
measures. As for when we will send or not send
delegations to Qatar, then it all depends on when we
reach the negotiation stage. Up until now, this has
not officially occurred and naturally, as we reach the
negotiation stage, a delegation or a team of Islamic
Emirate of Afghanistan will be chosen and sent to
Qatar.
Q. Have you yet
been asked to meet with the Karzai administration in
Saudi Arabia? If not, will you accept to meet with
them in Saudi Arabia if requested?
A. Before I answer
your question I firstly must say that in order to
reach an understanding with America, Qatar was chosen
as an intermediary nation by the Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan. This was our own choice and not on due
part to the behest or pressure of another nation, a
selection which America also accepted.
In regards to Saudi
Arabia, no one has put forward such a request to us
and even if such a thing was requested, our answer
will be that the government of Karzai is not
independent and meeting with it will not benefit in
any way in solving the problem.
Q. Do you
believe that the active lower level Taliban will
accept you accord if you were to reach a positive
outcome with America in Qatar?
A. In our system, no
consideration is given to the issue of high rank or
low rank but rather the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
works as a cohesive administration. All of its
offices, its officials and members work for a mutual
goal under the leadership of the Commander of the
Faithful. The current talks or future negotiations all
take place with the permission and guidance of the
Amir and all agreements which all done with the
consent of the Amir in the light of Islamic principles
and national interests are happily accepted by all and
they who work earnestly to implement them.
Q. Do you think
talking with the Karzai administration will be
beneficial or do you want to directly talk with the
Americans?
A. I must say that
Karzai, Kabul administration, Afghans and the
Americans or Washington is not concerned here as some
people say, as a form of protest, that the Taliban
only want to talk with the Americans instead of their
own Afghans. In reality, the concern is of one
exercising power and one with no power. It is well
known to the Afghan people as well as the world that
the real power holder fighting the Mujahideen in
Afghanistan is America. It has used Karzai and his
administration as an instrument to maintain its grip
and continue its occupation.
Q. If those
Taliban that are being held in Guantanamo are not
released, will your negotiations with the Americans
still continue?
A. Negotiations have
not yet began with the Americans so talking about it
continuing does not mean much. Now the question is,
when will negotiations begin? I must say that before
any negotiations can take place, confidence building
measures must first succeed so an atmosphere can be
created for negotiations and this confidence building
measure rests entirely with the Americans and they
must take steps for it which are; exchange of
Guantanamo prisoners, the opening of a political
office and the termination of the black list of the
United Nations as well as the bounty lists of America
and her allies.