A former Afghanistan foreign minister, now living in Christchurch, believes the Taleban has been weakened by United States-led retaliatory attacks and will not fight back.
However, Najibullah Lafraie is afraid rocket attacks and air bombardment will drum up anti-West sentiment, and incite violence from Muslims around the world.
"I became more and more hopeful America would not retaliate with force. The longer it took, the more I thought wisdom would prevail," he said.
Dr Lafraie spoke on the fourth day of bombing in Afghanistan as the United States responded to the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, targeting Saudi-born millionaire Osama bin Laden and the Taleban regime, which is believed to be harbouring him.
Dr Lafraie's warning of a possible increase in anti-Western sentiment came in a interview in Christchurch yesterday shortly before the Teleban's spiritual leader Mohammed Omar appealed from Afghanistan to Muslims throughout the world to support the Taleban's fight against the US.
He believed that, had the United States held off a little longer and cut outside support to the country, the Taleban would have crumbled from the inside.
"The Taleban no longer has the support of the people. The danger is this action might push people back into the Taleban camp. The longer it continues, the more support the Taleban will have."
He was concerned with actions of Muslim radicals across the world, in Indonesia, the Middle East, and particularly in Pakistan. He said there had been a strong backlash in cities throughout Pakistan against US-led attacks.
If things get out of hand for (Pakistan Prime Minister) Nawaz Sharif, it will become very dangerous, he said.
Dr Lafraie, born and raised in the Afghanistan capital Kabul, still has family in the city. He contacted them 10 days ago to ensure younger family members had not been drafted by the Taleban, but has no idea if they made it through recent attacks.
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
Former Afghan minister fears support for Taleban will grow
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.