1 Parliamentary Bulletin Volume I, Issue 3 14th of April 2007

REVIEW On 19 December 2005 provincial council elec- the Afghan Parliament tions were held on 18 came together for the September 2005. Af- first time in three dec- terwards, the first re- ades. The inaugural sults were declared on gathering began with a 9 October. Final results reading from the Koran were delayed by accu- and was followed by a sations of fraud, and brief speech by the were announced on 12 ageing former King Za- November. Former hir Shah, who was warlords and their fol- ousted in a coup in lowers gained the ma- 1973. “I thank God jority of seats in both that today I am partici- the Lower House and pating in a ceremony provincial councils. that is a step towards Women won around rebuilding 28% of the seats in the were eligible to vote after decades of fight- Lower House, six seats for the 249 seats of the ing. The people of Af- more than the 25% Wolesi Jirga, the Lower ghanistan will suc- guaranteed in the Af- House of Parliament, ceed!" the 91-year-old ghan Constitution and the 34 provincial Zahir Shah told the as- which was launched in councils. sembly to applause. 2004. Approximately The parliamentary and twelve million voters

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF FEBRUARY 2007 In the month of the controversial re- ing turn out of about February, the MPs of conciliation bill came to 15,000 former the Wolesi Jirga the surface. Former Mujahideen in the wanted to discuss the Mujahideen tried to Stadium. government budget for give the reconciliation President Karzai has the year 1386 bill support and said that he will consult (2007/8). However, conducted a demon- some experts before the issue of insecurity stration to put pressure signing the bill. in the country, MPs on President Karzai by Mujahideen leaders personal security and a relatively disappoint- were expecting a much 2

larger turn out than this. WJ MP arms were fired at them. MPs from Shakila Hashami appeared on a Nangarhar province accused the private television channel to coalition forces for indiscriminately discuss her own personal security firing on the civilians. Some MPs concerns after her daughter was have said that incidences such as killed a few months ago, and to this one have kept repeating over inform the public not only about the past five years and it was time her own personal security concerns to stop the killing of innocent peo- but to let the public know about the ple. One MP said that the Lower need for reform in the Afghan House should call in American National Police (ANP) force, not Commander General McNeil for only in the higher posts but the questioning. Another MP said, "the need to reform the policemen who Human Rights Watch (HRW) kept are in daily contacts with ordinary bringing up old wounds to the at- Afghans. The month of February tention of the people, why isn't the was also witness to the HRW not reporting on incidence announcement of a newly formed such as this one." An MP said that Parliamentary Group called “khat- those behind the killing of the civil- e-seowom“ (Third-Line). This ians should be prosecuted in Af- group is made up of moderate to ghanistan under Afghan laws. Me- pro democracy MPs. The budget dia reported that soon after the in- was still in the WJ - MPs say that cident Thousands of people took to they will only approve the budget if the streets and demonstrated. Two the salaries of the public employees days later Nangarhar provincial of- are raised. The Ministry of Finance ficials and elders asked for the has proposed a raise of US-$ 4 in prosecution of those behind the the monthly salaries of the killings. Two days later, media re- government of Afghanistan in the ported that NATO forces were in- proposed budget for the year 1386 volved in bombing two houses kill- (2007/8). ing 9 civilians in the province of Kapisa.

MARCH 2007 Following the two incidents, the In the first week of March, coalition Meshrano Jirga (Upper House) is- forces were involved in shooting of sued a statement, the statement civilians in the province of Nan- said: the Meshrano Jirga condemns garhar, following a suicide attack. the killing of 9 civilians in Kapisa Lower House MPs from the province province and the killing of 10 and of Nangarhar were very vocal on injuring of 35 in Nangarhar prov- the incident happened on the 4th of ince, as well as similar incidents March, when coalition forces alleg- that had taken place in other parts edly fired on civilians after they of the country, which had killed claim to have come under attack many of innocent people. Media from a suicide bomber and after- reported that the Meshrano Jirga wards from small gun fire. Local (Upper House) condemned the people said that coalition forces searching of Muhammad Afzal then fired on the civilians killing Ahmadzai, Upper House Senator between 8 - 16 people and wound- two days ago in the Khak-i-Jabar ing more than 20. Coalition forces district of Kabul by ISAF and local said they returned fired after small police force. Mr. Ahmadzai said to the media that foreign troops 3

accompanied by local police entered approval. The President shortened the his home Friday afternoon and original bill from 11 articles to 6. The searched the house without finding WJ approved the amended bill on 10th anything. He added that foreign of March. Here is the unofficial transla- forces were often misguided by mis- tion of the amended text: Since the information and wrong intelligence, jihad, resistance and the just struggles which was the reason behind people of the people for defending the religion distancing themselves from the gov- and the nation are the highest glory of ernment. the history of our country and are con- sidered our outstanding national hon- On the 5th of March, the Lower ours, and from a different point it is House called in the Minister of Inte- necessary to give the national recon- rior, Zarar Ahmad Moqbil for ques- ciliation policy certainty, end fighting, tioning. Just prior to questioning bloodshed, strengthen national unity some Lower House MPs questioned and create trust between the various the competency of the executives of groups of the society, therefore the the Lower House. They said that following articles will be approved: Lower House Speaker was not in- forming them about the agenda of Article one: the day prior to the meeting and This bill has been adopted for the pur- only announced the agenda minutes pose of strengthening reconciliation before the start of the session. and national stability, ensuring the highest national interests of the coun- MPs directed many questions to the try, ending hostilities and creating Minister of Interior about insecurity trust for all those who have been in- in the country, lack of coordination volved in the fighting, based on ensur- between ISAF, Afghan National Po- ing security for them, as long as they lice and Afghan National Army and remain obedient to the constitution the continued appointment of un- and binding laws of the country. merited officials to the posts of pro- vincial governors and chiefs of po- Article two: lice. Minister Moqbil said that the The National Assembly of Afghanistan reform in the Ministry of Interior was for the purpose of strengthening peace continuing and he is doing his ut- and stability and ending fighting in- most best to appoint suitable offi- vites all armed groups opposed to the cials. Mr. Moqbil added that the Min- government of the Islamic Republic of istry of Interior was a difficult insti- Afghanistan to join the strengthening tution to reform for the reasons that of stability and national reconciliation this ministry was once working for process of Afghanistan and participate one party during the communist in the strengthening of the govern- government and then the Muja- ment and reconstruction. hideen took over this ministry, he did not elaborate further on this. Article three: Minister Moqbil also said that for 1- All political sides and opposition better public organization the num- groups who have been fighting each ber of the police force will be raised other before the establishment of the from 62,000 to 80,000. Interim Administration, for the purpose of reconciliation between the various The now infamous reconciliation bill groups of the society, strengthening was amended by President Hamid peace and stability and beginning a Karzai and sent to the WJ for re- new life in the contemporary political 4

history of Afghanistan, are included sition sides to join the strengthen- in the national reconciliation pro- ing of stability and national recon- gram and general amnesty, as well ciliation process. as benefiting from all the legal rights and will be immune from Article six: prosecution. This bill is binding after signed by the President and will be published 2- A number of persons and groups in an official publication. that are still armed and opposed to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, On the 12th of March, the Lower after this bill is approved, leave House commission sent to the their armed opposition, join the na- province of Nangarhar on a fact tional reconciliation, respect the finding mission reported to the constitution and other laws of Af- House. Members of the commission ghanistan, as well as obeying were mostly MPs from Nangarhar them, will take advantage from the Province. The two members of the benefits of this bill. commission who spoke said that according to local people 10 to 16 3- The provisions of item 1 and 2 of people were killed and more than this article do not interfere with 20 were injured when coalition personal cases and crimes of a per- forces opened fire on the civilians. son against a person. A members of the commission said that the action of coalition forces Article four: were unacceptable for the reason 1- Persons under prosecution for that they are here in Afghanistan to crimes against domestic and for- protect the Afghan people, so they eign security of the country will not should not be afraid of the Afghan be covered by this bill. people. The same member said the coalition forces kept firing on 2- Persons convicted by courts for the people for as much as 10km allegedly committing domestic and from the initial point of attack; foreign national security crimes, on many cars were still there with bul- the basis of a proposal from the let marks on them. In this attack strengthening of peace commission not only the people of Nangarhar and the commitment of the men- feel victim but many others from tioned persons on the basis of end- other provinces who were travelling ing anti government activities and were killed and injured. Another the guarantees of the mentioned member of the commission said commission will be given amnesty that coalition and NATO forces or decreased punishment in accor- should try to adapt themselves to dance with individual decrees. the lives of the Afghan and not make life difficult for the Afghans. Article five: To help end hostilities and lack of The same member said that Af- trusts between the government and ghans cars were not allowed to armed opposition sides, strengthen pass coalition and NATO cars and stability and national reconciliation, tanks even if they have a seriously an extraordinary commission will ill passenger who needs to be taken be appointed to cooperate with the to the hospital. Members of the strengthening of peace commission commission also called for the and pave the ground for the oppo- prosecution of coalition soldiers 5

under Afghan laws and they asked of the former northern alliance but that NATO and coalition command- there are some new members like the ers should come to the Lower House grandson of the former King, Mustafa and answer MPs questions. Zahir and two former high ranking offi- cials of the communist government, After the new-year holiday on the Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy and 21st of March, the Third-Line parlia- Noorulhaq Olumi, in this new Front. mentary group in the Lower House Media reported that the following per- said that the exchange of sons are members of the steering prisoners for the Italian journalist committee of the National United showed that the Afghan government Front: has a double standard policy for Af- ghans and foreigners. The Afghan • Burhanudin Rabani, Head of the interpreter is still being held by the Front, Jamiate Islami Party Taliban. This action of the Afghan Leader, former President from government would give the Paki- 1992 to 1996 and Lower House stanis this hint that they do not MP from . need to cooperate with the Afghan government in the future and would • Ahmad Zia Massood, current First blame the Afghan government for Vice President and former Am- the problems in Afghanistan, and bassador to Moscow during the threats to journalists would increase. Interim and Transitional govern- ments. Media reported that the coalition and Afghan police forces searched the • Mohammad Younus Qanooni, house of Abdul Rab Rasoul Sayaf, Lower House Speaker and MP Lower House MP from Kabul and for- from Kabul. mer Jihadi Leader on the 23rd of March. On Sunday the 25the of • Mohammad Qasim Fahim, advi- March following this incident, a num- sor to the President on Security ber of MPs were very vocal and Affairs and former Minister of De- asked the government to stop these fence in the Transitional govern- kinds of searches by foreign forces. ment. The Third-Line group said that the agenda to discuss the searching of • Mustafa Zahir, current Head of one of the MPs house was an indica- the Environment Protection tion that the WJ was busy working Agency and grandson of the for- for the MPs and not representing the mer King. people of Afghanistan. Later on the Afghan Ministry of Interior said that • General Abdul Rashid Dostum, the house of Mr. Sayaf was not Junbish Party Leader. searched but the security guards hut was searched, which is located a • Noorulhaq Olumi, Lower House long distance from the house. MP from Kandahar province and former high ranking communist One the 2nd of April, the formation general. of the National United Front (NUF) was announced by the media. This • Sayed Mohammad Gulabzoy, Front was launched at the five star Lower House MP from Khost intercontinental hotel. Majority province and Minister of Interior members of this Front are members during the communist. 6

• Sayed Mustafa Kazemi, cur- by Rabani. rent speaker of the Front and Lower House MP from Kabul. • Khudai Nazari Sarmachar, Lower House MP from Farah • Mohammad Ismail, current and former communist. Minister of Water and Energy. • Shahmardan Qol, Lower House MP from Balkh prov- • Mohammad Nayeem Fara- ince. hyee, Lower House MP from Farah province. One day after the NUF was formed, some members of the Lower House • Mohammad Akbari, Lower criticized the formation of this Front House MP from Bamyan. and said that this Front wants to amend the constitution; this is • Hilaludin Hilal, Lower House clearly against the constitution be- MP from Baghlan province cause members of this Front are and former communist. behind putting the current constitu- tion together and approving it. An- • Qaderia Yazdanparas, Lower other MP said to the media that House MP from Kabul. members of this Front are sup- ported by foreign countries and • Mohammad Amin Oqad, for- have armed militias. Mustafa Ka- mer Deputy Leader of Hezb- zemi, the Front spokesman said e-Islami. that whoever makes this claim that members of this Front have armed • Manssor Naderi, Lower House militias or get support from foreign MP from Baghlan province. countries, they have to prove that or they are guilty for making false • Fazal Karim Imaq, Lower claims. After attending the South House MP from Takhar prov- Asian Association Regional Coop- ince. eration (SAARC) meeting in India, where Afghanistan became a mem- • Taj Mohammad Wardak, Min- ber of the SAARC, , ister of Interior for short time the President of the Islamic Repub- in the Transitional govern- lic of Afghanistan in his first ever ment. reaction to the newly formed Na- tional United Front said, • Amir Lalay, Lower House MP "Parliamentary system is a good from Kandahar province. system, however, a Parliamentary system needs strong institutions, a • Hamidullah Tokhai, Lower true national army and police. For House MP from Zabul prov- Afghanistan we chose the Presiden- ince and former Hezb-e- tial system to protect Afghanistan Islami commander. from the interferences of the neighbouring countries". • Shakir Kargar, Lower House MP from Faryab Province and former communist. CONCLUSION Lower House MPs at least in the • Sidique Chakari, Jamiate Parliament tried to raise their voice party Deputy Leader, Headed on the continuing loss of the Af- 7

Mr. Daoud Sultanzoy ghan civilian lives, which is becom- responsible for many sicknesses this comes from the province of Ghazni. He was elected ing a concern to the government as nation suffers from to say the least. to the Lower House of the well as the Afghan public and the According to the list they have Afghan Parliament. He is a end result could be loss of reputa- published here are some of the names: member of the Economic tion and lack of the Afghan public Burhanudin Rabani the ex President, Commission in the Lower House and member of the confidence in NATO and coalition Zia Masoud The Vice President, Third-Line parliamentary forces. The reconciliation bill made Marshall Faheem the ex Defense group in the Lower House. allot of news in the month of Febru- Minister and currently President He worked as a Pilot with ary and the month of March 2007. Karzai’s chief advisor on security the Afghan national carrier, ARIANA prior to The Lower House re-approved the matters, the Speaker of 1978, when the communist amended bill; the bill is now in the Parliament an ex Interior and took the government in a corner of the President to be signed Education Minister, General Dostum coup. He lived in the by him into a binding law. President’s Military Chief of Staff, United States during the former Soviet Union Mostafa Kazimi a Member of occupation of Afghanistan. The other issue that made news in Parliament and an ex Commerce He returned to Afghanistan the lower House was the searching Minister, General Noor al-Haq Olumi a after the fall of the Taliban of the guards hut outside the house Parliament Member and the military in late 2001. of former Jihadi Leader and Lower ruler of the western zone in House MP from Kabul, Abdul Rab Afghanistan during the Soviet Rasoul Sayaaf by a mixed coalition occupation, Gulabzoy a Member of and local police force. Issues such as Parliament and Interior Minister during this one pre-empt the regular agen- the Soviet occupation. These are the das of the Lower House and some names of some of the star members of time take most of the time and not the Front. much time is left for the prepared agenda. The Lower House internal Many opinions have been expressed rules of procedures are still not ap- about this “Front”, a vast majority very „In their declared proved almost a year and half after critical and negative. As a whole every objectives they the Parliament was inaugurated; one points out to the credibility factor. are long on some new articles are added or None of the individuals and or parties, amended. On legal issues, there are criticism and fall party to the front gets even close to a a handful of MPs who make a contri- passing grade when it comes to way short on bution to the discussion. The an- credibility, ability, transparency, and practical and nouncement of the National United any attributes that can make an realistic answers Front made news inside and outside alliance look half way decent. So those the Lower House and it continues to in resolving the who have joined hands in this unholy make news. alliance will be facing an uphill battle problems they convincing this nation about the point out to. This GUEST CONTRIBUTION national sincerity of the group or any is even more Written by Daoud Sultanzoy, MP of other claim they are making on behalf noteworthy in Wolesi Jirga of a nation who has been held hostage by the group directly and indirectly for light of the fact Recently the expected announce- many years. In their declared that the problems ment of the “National United Front objectives they are long on criticism they point out to of Afghanistan” became official. and fall way short on practical and were of their own Familiar faces with known realistic answers in resolving the creation to begin backgrounds were paraded as the problems they point out to. This is shining stars of this Front. This could even more noteworthy in light of the with and continue be construed as a national affront to fact that the problems they point out to be so as we this nation. After all, some of these to were of their own creation to begin speak.“ exact same people have been with and continue to be so as we 8

speak. As an example let us look at contributing to the instability, bad one of their stated objectives: management, corruption, nepotism, monopolistic Mafioso “Failure to form a competent and behavior not only in government effective management body, lack of but also are trying to corner the comprehensive working programs socio economic activities of the and the current administrations country in their favor. weakness have not only squandered the meritorious It has been said that in their efforts opportunity but also undermined they are in close coordination with commitments to involve all national some foreign embassies. This is forces in political, social life, nothing new. All their abilities reconstruction of infrastructural capabilities and activities are institutions , generating subject to in depth scrutiny. We employment opportunity, can suffice to say that the motives empowering national police and and even their stated objectives national army, combating narcotics are suspect and are “a none cultivation and organized crime as starter” in this stage of Afghan well as supervising the military political life. Not only will it derail operations of forging troops in our efforts in the beginning of this Afghanistan, which have claimed new journey towards democracy by civilian lives, inability in above disillusioning our nation as a whole, mentioned areas have sparked into it will also create a climate of growing public resentment, confusion which is lethal for our benefiting the enemies of efforts in trying to stabilize the Afghanistan” . nation and bring the much needed security and there by reform and A quick glance at the above reconstruction. statement will tell us that all ills they point out to do not appear I urge our friends in the over night and in a vacuum. The international community to make problems they point out to, are in a sure they know who these players major way the result of the are in this proposed dangerous participation of some of the same game and if they are not sure key figures of today’s” Front” in key about the motives of this Front positions of government, past and then they should take a look at the present. They are and or were in resume of the individuals in this charge of policy making and group and their past and present decision making in this country. records. If our international friends Directly and indirectly things are still have questions then I propose and were happening on their watch we start an open debate whereby and for them to hide their heads in the citizens of this nation under the the sand does not wash well with protection of law and order away anyone who knows about the past from this group’s military threat, decade or two of this country’s can ask questions and receive history and these individuals direct answers in a convincing way, at involvement in it. Now for them to which time much of the hidden use the blame game is to take skeletons will come out of the hypocrisy to a new high and they closets. This will not only give our continue to break their own record citizens a chance to air their in this, consistently. They still are opinions and grievances democrat- 9

ically and openly, it will also allow CONTACT them to exercise their suppressed rights. Another byproduct of such an Email: [email protected] opportunity will be that many of the Phone: +93 - 700 - 277943 victims who have suffered in the hands of some of the stars of this ”Front” will have an opportunity to face these newly converted champions of change and hopefully we can then begin the long awaited, true and meaningful national healing process which will be a major contributing factor in bringing real PARLIAMENTARY peace and stability to the this nation. Then we could really embark BULLETIN on nation building, reform and The Bulletin covers on a monthly base reconstruction. issues discussed in the Afghan Parlia-

ment. Additionally, chosen Members of The one positive outcome from all Parliament make a contribution to the this has been the emergence of a bulletin on issues discussed in the pre- prominent fact that some of the vious month. democratic forces in this country are

the only alternative who have Abdul Samad Khan proven to have the credibility, ability Born in Kabul in 1961 Abdul Samad and the forward looking vision in Khan graduated from the Afghanistan solving problems. They are the Military Academy. After the end of the energy who can contribute to the Taliban regime he started to work with international efforts in resolving the foreign media organizations like BBC, Afghan crisis and fulfill the long Süddeutsche Zeitung and Neue Zür- awaited hopes of a nation who has cher Zeitung. In 2003 he worked with contributed so much to the world the EU Commission as a media analyst peace at the expense of their own. then he served as a political officer at

the Canadian Embassy for three years. In conclusion we should urge the Since 2006 he is in charge of the Kon- Afghan leadership and the rad-Adenauer-Foundation’s Parliamen- international community to spend tary Program. He is fluent in English, some of their resources in helping Pashto and Dari. the real democratic forces in this

country. This can and will provide Dr. Babak Khalatbari the much needed and long awaited Born in 1975 in Germany, he started infusion of energy the country needs his studies on the Middle East after his in creating real and meaningful military service. He was a scholar of institutions for a viable and lasting the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and democracy for Afghanistan. studied at the University of Muenster,

University of Cologne and Kuwait Uni- (04/14/2007, Daoud Sultanzoy) versity. Since 2005 he heads the Kabul

Office of the Konrad-Adenauer- Foundation. He speaks German, Eng- lish, Arabic and some Dari.