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Date: 1998
A Message to the People of the United States of America
I send this message to you today on behalf of the freedom and peace-loving
people of Afghanistan, the Mujahedeen freedom fighters who resisted and
defeated Soviet communism, the men and women who are still resisting oppression
and foreign hegemony and, in the name of more than one and a half million
Afghan martyrs who sacrificed their lives to uphold some of the same values
and ideals shared by most Americans and Afghans alike. This is a crucial
and unique moment in the history of Afghanistan and the world, a time when
Afghanistan has crossed yet another threshold and is entering a new stage
of struggle and resistance for its survival as a free nation and independent
state.
I have spent the past 20 years, most of my youth and adult life, alongside
my compatriots, at the service of the Afghan nation, fighting an uphill
battle to preserve our freedom, independence, right to self-determination
and dignity. Afghans fought for God and country, sometime alone, at other
times with the support of the international community. Against all odds,
we, meaning the free world and Afghans, halted and checkmated Soviet expansionism
a decade ago. But the embattled people of my country did not savor the
fruits of victory. Instead they were thrust in a whirlwind of foreign intrigue,
deception, great-gamesmanship and internal strife. Our country and our
noble people were brutalized, the victims of misplaced greed, hegemonic
designs and ignorance. We Afghans erred too. Our shortcomings were as a
result of political innocence, inexperience, vulnerability, victimization,
bickering and inflated egos. But by no means does this justify what some
of our so-called Cold War allies did to undermine this just victory and
unleash their diabolical plans to destroy and subjugate Afghanistan.
Today, the world clearly sees and feels the results of such misguided
and evil deeds. South-Central Asia is in turmoil, some countries on the
brink of war. Illegal drug production, terrorist activities and planning
are on the rise. Ethnic and religiously-motivated mass murders and forced
displacements are taking place, and the most basic human and women’s rights
are shamelessly violated. The country has gradually been occupied by fanatics,
extremists, terrorists, mercenaries, drug Mafias and professional murderers.
One faction, the Taliban, which by no means rightly represents Islam, Afghanistan
or our centuries-old cultural heritage, has with direct foreign assistance
exacerbated this explosive situation. They are unyielding and unwilling
to talk or reach a compromise with any other Afghan side.
Unfortunately, this dark accomplishment could not have materialized
without the direct support and involvement of influential governmental
and non-governmental circles in Pakistan. Aside from receiving military
logistics, fuel and arms from Pakistan, our intelligence reports indicate
that more than 28,000 Pakistani citizens, including paramilitary personnel
and military advisers are part of the Taliban occupation forces in various
parts of Afghanistan. We currently hold more than 500 Pakistani citizens
including military personnel in our POW camps. Three major concerns - namely
terrorism, drugs and human rights - originate from Taliban-held areas but
areinstigated from Pakistan, thus forming the inter-connecting angles of
an evil triangle. For many Afghans, regardless of ethnicity or religion,
Afghanistan, for the second time in one decade, is once again an occupied
country.
Let me correct a few fallacies that are propagated by Taliban backers
and their lobbies around the world. This situation over the short and long-run,
even in case of total control by the Taliban, will not be to anyone’s interest.
It will not result in stability, peace and prosperity in the region. The
people of Afghanistan will not accept such a repressive regime. Regional
countries will never feel secure and safe. Resistance will not end in Afghanistan,
but will take on a new national dimension, encompassing all Afghan ethnic
and social strata.
The goal is clear. Afghans want to regain their right to self-determination
through a democratic or traditional mechanism acceptable to our people.
No one group, faction or individual has the right to dictate or impose
its will by force or proxy on others. But first, the obstacles have to
be overcome, the war has to end, just peace established and a transitional
administration set up to move us toward a representative government.
We are willing to move toward this noble goal. We consider this as part
of our duty to defend humanity against the scourge of intolerance, violence
and fanaticism. But the international community and the democracies of
the world should not waste any valuable time, and instead play their critical
role to assist in any way possible the valiant people of Afghanistan overcome
the obstacles that exist on the path to freedom, peace, stability and prosperity.
Effective pressure should be exerted on those countries who stand against
the aspirations of the people of Afghanistan. I urge you to engage in constructive
and substantive discussions with our representatives and all Afghans who
can and want to be part of a broad consensus for peace and freedom for
Afghanistan.
With all due respect and my best wishes for the government and people
of the United States,
Ahmad Shah Massoud.
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