Shortly after a December 2001 defeat at the hands of American-led forces, a group of Taliban flunkies read the situation well and formed a politically inclined splinter group called Khudamul Furqan Jamiat, announcing the intent to "help bring peace to Afghanistan," if perhaps only to acquire power through less violent means. Diplomatic exchanges have continued between KFJ and Kabul since. In 2001 KFJ's principals were characterized as "mid-level" Taliban. Today, they are considered "senior" in some news reports that present the results of negotiation:
Four senior Taliban leaders have accepted a reconciliation offer from the Afghan government, a Western official with direct knowledge of the deal said Tuesday. Under the agreement, which the official said would likely be announced within days, the men recognized the legitimacy of President Hamid Karzai's government in exchange for assurances that they would not face arrest by Afghan or foreign security forces.
No one involved believes these men to be representative of the motley criminals, killers and madmen still intent on terrorizing the defenseless in remote areas. But the four carry sway over mercenaries and terrorists' unwilling accomplices, and with Allied troop strength increasing to match native efficacy, it's hoped that Afghanistan's enemies can be stripped to the bone:
The four, all ethnic Pashtuns from Paktika province, could prove useful in that regard, [an anonymous] official added. Despite the Taliban's failure to make good on threats to disrupt the October election, members have launched periodic attacks on foreign and Afghan forces across the country, including along Paktika's border with Pakistan. [Arsullah] Rahmani, in particular, seems determined to persuade his compatriots in the province to give up such tactics, according to the official. "If he had his way, he would be more or less running around Paktika on foot to tell everyone to get down off the mountains and join the post-war process," the official said. "He's waiting to be unleashed."
For their part, the active Taliban are insisting that they'll stir up trouble as soon as spring. But then, they insisted Afghanistan would never live without their rule, nor recultivate, nor popularly elect a leader. It's a threat that's literally phoned in.
Since the ousting of the Taliban by US-backed forces in late 2001, India has been helping the country develop infrastructure, civil aviation, transport, industry, health facilities and educational institutions. It is currently building the Salma Dam project near the western city of Herat, laying power lines from the northern city of Pul-e-Khumri to Kabul and constructing the Zeranj-Delaram road near the Iran-Afghanistan border. Afghanistan also wants to open a trade corridor with India through Pakistan since most goods now travel via Iran.
A better definition of "good neighbor," don't you think?
