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Ex-King, Anti-Talibans Work Together
Monday, October 01, 2001
(3:27 AM ET)
By Nicole Winfield / Associated Press Writer

"They want to impose the Zahir Shah regime on us," Omar said, referring to the Americans. "God willing, I'm sure America cannot do that."

ROME, Italy -- AP
The anti-Taliban alliance in northern Afghanistan and the former Afghan king agreed Monday to convene an emergency council of tribal and military leaders as a first step toward forming a new system of government in their country. The Taliban's leader predicted the effort would fail.

The council, or loya jirga, they envision would consist of 120 people chosen from the opposition northern alliance as well as different provinces and ethnic groups, said Abdul Sattar Sirat, a senior adviser to former King Mohammad Zahir Shah.

The announcement, which came after three days of talks in Rome between Zahir Shah and a half-dozen northern alliance representatives, was seen as a possible opening for an alternative Afghan government if the ruling Taliban militia is toppled as a result of U.S. strikes to retaliate for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
(More: Sun-Sentinel.com News Source)
Copyright 2001, Sun-Sentinel Co. & South Florida Interactive, Inc.

Dan