May Allah, the ultimate king, help you, when  you help the people of Afghanistan!

Mr. Gallet: Commander Masood, 10 years after the withdrawal of the Soviets, Afghanistan is still at war; can one call it a civil war, like it's said abroad?

Commander Masood: The war in Afghanistan is principally caused by external interferences, in particular that of Pakistan and its regional strategic aims. The war in Afghanistan is not a civil war but the result of external interference.

General Morillon: Commander, under these conditions can one imagine that there is a military solution?

Cmdr. Masood: We [the United Front national resistance force and the U.N.-recognized Afghan government] have said many times, and we repeat it, the Afghan problem does not have a military solution. It is better to find a solution through political negotiation.

Mr. Dubié: Commander, what opposes you to the Taliban? In other words, is it [differences] in your view of Islam?

Cmdr. Masood: The behavior of Taliban and their extremist conduct do not correspond in any manner to a tolerant Islam. We are and will always be opposed to the tendencies of [an] extremist [interpretation of] Islam. We have not ceased to insist that an Islam of tolerance is advantageous to all Muslims, for the Afghans and the whole world -- and we will always defend it.

Mr. Cazenave: Commander, Afghanistan is regarded today as a state sponsor of terrorism and drug producer. What is your opinion of this?

Cmdr. Masood: We agree; unfortunately, Afghanistan has become this after a long period of war against the USSR. The principal reason for the state of things rests, in my opinion, on Pakistan's responsibility and the groups dependent on Pakistan [like] Hekmatyar and the Taliban.

Mr. Boucheron: What exactly would you do with Mr. bin Laden if you were firmly in power in Kabul?

Cmdr. Masood: I say to you very clearly that we do not want to see Afghanistan becoming a base for terrorists. In an Afghanistan that we control, there is no place for terrorists and Osama bin Laden.

Mr. Boucheron: In the event of taking power in Kabul, will you instate democracy? In concrete terms, would be there elections, one person-one vote, and would you accept international organizations to come monitor the election process?

Cmdr. Masood: It is our deep conviction and we have always insisted on the fact that democratic elections are the only solution for Afghanistan. Every individual must have a voice. On the day we are in Kabul, we will organize elections under the aegis of the international organizations.

Mr. Cazenave: In accordance to the realization of democracy, if you take power will you be favorable to equal rights for women? Are you favorable to the fact that they have voting rights, and that they are eligible [for office], and will be entitled to education?

Cmdr. Masood: Yes, in the democracy that we will found in Afghanistan, women will have voting rights, they will be eligible [for office], and they will be able to work and study.

Mr. Dubié: Commander Masood, to implement these reforms, one would need a national unity. Is there today consensus among the various ethnic groups of Afghanistan?

Cmdr. Masood: Yes. In our efforts, we rely on [cooperation] between the ethnic groups and not the political parties created earlier in Pakistan. Currently, the [United Front] Leadership Council, which heads the [U.N.-recognized government of the] Islamic State of Afghanistan, is composed of people from different ethnicities. We insist on the fact that all the ethnic groups must be taken into account; each ethnic group must be represented proportionally.

Mr. Morillon: Throughout the world, the international community takes part in resolving many conflicts -- but they are absent from this country. What do you expect from them?

Cmdr. Masood: There is no doubt that the international community has long forgotten Afghanistan -- and this is unfortunate! We wish to see the international community occupying itself with the priority of peace in Afghanistan. And in Afghanistan, peace will only be possible when the international community exerts pressure to stop [outside] interference, especially by Pakistan. I am certain that with international pressure, Pakistan will give up its interference, and then peace will be possible in Afghanistan.

Mr. Gallet: Commander, the system of parties resulting from [the] resistance [eds: Soviet-Afghan war] is obviously a failure. Afghanistan requires a leader -- all faces turn to you. If needed, would you be ready to assume this responsibility?

Cmdr. Masood: I am ready to serve the people of Afghanistan, especially for [the cause of] peace. I am ready for any mission at the service of my people. 

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