Ex-Taleban leaders run for in Afghan elections

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/subcontinent/2005/September/subcontinent_September194.xml§ion=subcontinent

KABUL - Four years ago, Mohammed Khaksar was the Taleban’s deputy interior minister, a powerful position in a regime greatly feared for its Islamic fundamentalist policies, its mistreatment of women and its support for Al Qaeda.

Things have changed in Afghanistan.

This month, Khaksar is running as a candidate in US-backed elections, hoping to win a seat in a new national legislature - the next key step toward democracy after a quarter century of fighting.

Since American-led forces ousted the Taleban in late 2001, some of its leaders have publicly renounced the movement, often after a period in detention, and rejoined mainstream society. Now, a few of them are trying to make a political comeback - this time through the ballot box, rather than with a gun.

“We need a strong government. We need (Islamic) Shariah law,” Khaksar told The Associated Press in an interview. “But I am no longer a member of the Taleban. I only want good things for this country.”

[bahrbearian]

1. So What.. I've seen" Saddam 06'" bumper stickers in Iraq

[ShockediSay]

2. Has anybody else noticed that Afghanistan

is slip sliding away?

[Dunvegan]

3. Yes...Afghanistan was only preamble to Iraq...

...as phony cover for Bush's real beginning target for the Middle East.

It was never meant to be a supported effort.

Remember the lack of support for the Special Forces men that felt they had Osama cornered at Tora Bora.

Bush needs Osama forever to be out there just as much as the forces-that-be needed Emmanual Goldstein to be forever out there in 1984.

So the wars can go on forever.