http://www.pakistanlink.com/headlines/Oct/07/11.html No word of surrender exists in dictionary of Afghans ISLAMABAD: A former Foreign Minster, and a leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Gohar Ayub Khan has said that chances of toppling the Taliban are remote because the Afghans are never known to surrender. He said that Afghans are used to fighting world powers. He said that the Taliban are also not a political party rather they are a movement. Talking about the option of Zahir Shah, he said that in the Pushtoons society of Afghanistan Loya Jirga or the Grand Assembly of the tribal chieftians is the deciding factor. "Zahir shah would not have much influence in this because he has been totally out of touch from the politics of Afghanistan and his family has not participated in the war against the Soviets and they are not being coming here. He said that this is a serious problem whether he comes and whether he can muster that support and how long he can stay," Gohar Ayyub observed. He was of the view that attacks on Afghanistan would result into a political vacuum and a chaos. He said about four point five million Afghan refugees were reportedly heading towards Pakistan as well as casualties would also be coming into Pakistan. Referring to the Afghan leadership outside the country, he said that none of the Afghan leaders yet returned to war-torn country. "Their position is possibly not as strong as most of them think they are. He added that Had they gone into Afghanistan, the Taliban might have spoken to them or some alternative could have been thought about but if supposing they go on shoulders of an invading army it would go to their credit," the former foreign minister said To a question about Pakistan's limited direct military involvement, Gohar Ayyub Khan said that it was a wise option because it is a Muslim country and no other country has come on board yet, and the troops that are going to Afghanistan will be either American, British or some European. "That can raise a cry of Jehad and that can then blow up throughout the Muslim world. That should be avoided as much as possible. And if possible the coalition partners should try to persuade some Muslim countries to send their troops so it is equally balanced and fewer American or European troops that are to be used in Afghanistan. Otherwise it will be war against an invading army like they fought the Soviets, possibly this could result in that," he said. Serbian News Network - SNN [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.antic.org/
