DEHGHANPISHEH: What do you think of the interim administration? RABBANI: This government was formed on decisions made [at the Bonn Conference]. Decisions that were made in a hurry. I didn’t want the world to think that I opposed peace so I gave my support. But this government is only here for six months. We can’t expect them to do too much. There’s no real parliament or elected government, and there’s no reconstruction taking place.
Do you have regular contact with Karzai? You probably realize that I put his name forth as a potential leader for the interim government. I don’t want to interfere too much in his work, and I don’t want to make it seem like there is a parallel administration. But if there is a pressing issue to discuss, I do speak to him.
Do you believe that he was brought to power through American interference? The countries present at Bonn manipulated the process. They were probably working with good intentions, but this should be the last act of foreign interference in our domestic affairs. The growth of terrorist groups in the country was a result of foreign interference. All of our wars have been caused by foreign powers. If foreign meddling continues, the Afghan people will conclude [foreigners] don’t want us to be free.
What is your assessment of America’s relationship with Afghanistan? I believe America’s knowledge of Afghanistan is not only limited but bordering on ignorance. They haven’t taken the time to get to know Afghanistan or its leaders. They only know Afghanistan through their spying. But we have always realized the necessity of establishing a healthy relationship with America.
During the war against the Taliban you commanded a large group of soldiers. What will happen to them now? One of the conditions of the interim administration is that no one will have their own armed faction. [The soldiers] were part of our party but, from now on, they will be backing the government.
What do you think of the international peacekeeping force? Like most Afghans, I don’t want foreign powers in our country. The peacekeeping force isn’t counterproductive, but I think security problems won’t be resolved by their presence. Their most important role should be to help us create a national army that would stabilize the country.
Do you believe that security is the main problem in Afghanistan now? Many problems exist. Authority hasn’t been centralized. Provinces are working for their own interests. Cooperation between [Kabul] and the provincial governors is based on verbal promises.
Now many Islamic schools are viewed as suspect institutions. You are a former graduate of Al-Azhar [the world’s largest Islamic university]. This is propaganda. If you look at all the people labeled as terrorists, none of them were graduates of this school. Bin Laden was an engineer. His deputy was a doctor. The people who assassinated Anwar Sadat were either engineers or graduates of military institutions. Among the Qaeda members, there’s not a single person who graduated from a theological school.
Will you run as a candidate after the mandate of the interim government expires? I’m working on creating a national political party. When the [national Constituent Assembly] takes place, people can decide for themselves. If the conditions are right, I’ll announce my candidacy or support another suitable candidate. I can’t step down from politics. I’ve devoted my life to the cause of the people and made great sacrifices when no one else cared. Our work isn’t finished.
