Yes, it's long, it's sad, and cries for a Marshall Plan to build, not
rebuild, a real economy in Afghanistan.  What an ugly mess; a very
worthwhile read.  Who's our enemy now?

Here's a direct link:
http://www.iranian.com/Opinion/2001/June/Afghan/index.html

Who's our enemy now? How about the Taliban? Seems like much of the
Afganastan people would agree -

Wednesday, 20 December, 2000, 19:03 GMT
Analysis: Who are the Taleban?


The world first became aware of the Taleban in 1994 when they were appointed
by Islamabad to protect a convoy trying to open up a trade route between
Pakistan and Central Asia.


Years of conflict have made gun culture the norm in Kabul
The group - comprised of Afghans trained in religious schools in Pakistan
along with former Islamic fighters or mujahedin - proved effective
bodyguards, driving off other mujahedin groups who attacked and looted the
convoy.
They went on to take the nearby city of Kandahar, beginning a remarkable
advance which led to their capture of the capital, Kabul, in September 1996.
Anti-corruption
The Taleban's popularity with many Afghans initially surprised the country's
warring mujahedin factions.


In spite of military victories the Taleban have yet to achieve the
international recognition they crave
As ethnic Pashtuns, a large part of their support came from Afghanistan's
Pashtun community, disillusioned with existing ethnic Tajik and Uzbek
leaders.
But it was not purely a question of ethnicity. Ordinary Afghans, weary of
the prevailing lawlessness in many parts of the country, were often
delighted by Taleban successes in stamping out corruption, restoring peace
and allowing commerce to flourish again.
Their refusal to deal with the existing warlords whose rivalries had caused
so much killing and destruction also earned them respect.
Islamic state
The Taleban said their aim was to set up the world's most pure Islamic
state, banning frivolities like television, music and cinema.


The Taleban took control of Kabul in 1996
Their attempts to eradicate crime have been reinforced by the introduction
of Islamic law including public executions and amputations.
A flurry of regulations forbidding girls from going to school and women from
working quickly brought them into conflict with the international community.
Such issues, along with restrictions on women's access to health care, have
also caused some resentment among ordinary Afghans.
Extending control
The Taleban now control all but the far north of the country, which is the
last stronghold of the ethnic Tajik commander Ahmed Shah Masood.
With 90% of the country under their control, the Taleban have continued to
press claims for international recognition.
But the Afghan seat at the United Nations continues to be held by former
President Burhanuddin Rabbani.
The UN sanctions which have now been imposed on the country make it even
less likely that the Taleban will gain that recognition.
The sanctions are intended to force the Taleban to hand over the Saudi-born
militant Osama Bin Laden, who is accused by the United States of plotting
the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed more
than 250 people.
The Taleban say that Osama Bin Laden is a guest in their country, and they
will not take action against him.
Afghanistan has suffered 20 years of war, and this year has brought the
worst drought in decades.
There is little sign that sanctions will change the Taleban's policies, or
weaken their position within the country.

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