“I have brought to you regards and gratitude from the Commander-in-Chief of the army and the President, Mr. Hamid Karzai, for your votes [in the elections] - the votes which you gave to your Dostum,” the bury militia leader, Abdul Rashid Dostum, told dozens of supporters in an emotional talk in Sheberghan city last week.
In his bilingual talk, in Uzbeki and Dari, Dostum leaked Kabul’s increasing agony about widening insecurity in the northern provinces and, indeed, the alienation of local power holders such as Ustad Atta in Balkh.
“Your votes were vital,” Dostum shouted, falling short to say ‘votes were vital for his own survival and impunity from prosecution for his alleged egregious crimes’.
A garish show-of-power, Dostum’s visit was aired at his private TV channel, Aina – mirror.
Dostum said he will tour the North – Kunduz, Baghlan, Jozjan, Faryab, Maimana – at the behest of Mr. Karzai in order to find out why insecurity is slipping out of control.
“A Woloswal [district governor] called me and said he would resign if the situation is not improved. I told him better you coward resign!”
Watching Dostum’s empty slogans I recalled his allegiance to former Moscow-backed Dr. Najibullah whom Dostum had vowed to serve “until the last drop” of his blood. He was instrumental in the collapse of Najibullah’s regime, however.
In 1990s Dostum made and broke several other allegiances.
Dostum is signing his old mantra only to his new patron.
He is now Hamid Karzai’s ‘Iron Fist’ in the North.
No comments:
Post a Comment