How could you know the culture of the movement is "far more supported" by Afghans than not? If it is "far more supported" by Afghans with guns, and the machinery of the state, than whether those Afghans represent the majority or the minority it doesn't matter much, does it? They will be the ones to "impose"- because, let's face it, it's not a democracy, now is it? And I don't see how you could possibly know the opinion of the majority of Afghan people. I doubt the leaders of the Taleban even know the true will of the Afghan people- it's not like they're organized enough to be running opinion poles. And I do hope that lack of knowledge bites the Taleban leadership on the ass.
Ah the Taleban. Trying to reinvent the 12th century in the 21st century. And that might be an insult to the 12th century- I don't know...I wasn't there.:
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.
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.
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.
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. |
