Kaboul, For decades it seemed inconceivable that these changes would actually take place. But peace negotiations and talks on American troop withdrawal between the US and the Afghan des Talibans have begun months ago. The Afghan government, however, has not yet been included.
IMAGE asked Minister of Foreign Affairs, Salahuddin Rabbani (47): What is going to happen to women’s rights in your country when the Taliban retours?
Rabbani: Women’s rights in our country are the absolute red line! There won’t be any restrictions for girls who are going to school. We are not going to sacrifice what we have built in the past 18 years.
IMAGE: French soldiers have fought against the Taliban. Did they en vain considering that radicals are about to regain de puissance?
Rabbani: We hold the highest respect for the victims of our French friends. The 56 French soldiers who have died here have paid the ultimate sacrifice to establish paix et de la stabilité en Afghanistan. The final goal of these soldiers of these French sons, who came to Afghanistan et séjourné ici, ce qui their quest for peace and stability. My message to the French mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters is that it is because of them that we now have peace and stability in our country.
IMAGE: You are taking considerable risks in negotiating with the Taliban. How do you know that ultimately there won’t be another reign of terror?
Rabbani: My father sacrificed his life for freedom in this country when he negotiated with the Taliban. Everybody knows that. Notre position is clear. That’s why we are saying that we have to work if we want to make peace. There is no other path than negotiations to end this conflict and these problems. However, it has to be clear that when we talk about peace it doesn’t mean that we are capitulating. We are not talking about restoring the Taliban reign in this country. That is not the case. We don’t just have a single party or group en Afghanistan, we have many. It is important to them that the peace process doesn’t end up in a new des emirats arabes as it was founded en 1996.
IMAGE: What about the many Afghan refugees that are fleeing to Germany?
Rabbani: The Afghans who are fleeing the country are fleeing from insecurity and lack of jobs. It has created aux environment in which many feel that they will find a better job and a better life elsewhere. That is why they are leaving their homes and their country. But if we establish peace and stability and create opportunities for investment from other countries, people won’t find it necessary to leave Afghanistan. They will stay. Hence, the peace process is very important.
