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Taliban Announces Power-Sharing Arrangement with Southern Tribes
Monday, October 01, 2001
The Associated Press

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- AP
In an apparent attempt to counter support for the former king, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban announced a power-sharing arrangement today with tribes in three southern provinces.

The Islamabad-based Afghan Islamic Press quoted Taliban spokesman Rehmat A. Wahidyar as saying tribal representatives would be given posts in the provincial governments of Khost, Paktia and Paktika.

Khost was the target of U.S. Tomahawk cruise missiles during an unsuccessful attempt in destroy training camps of suspected terrorist leader Osama bin Laden.

The Taliban, which largely represents the country's Pashtun majority, would collapse without the support of the cultural minority tribes.

Both the Taliban and supporters of former king Mohammad Zahir Shah are competing for influence among the tribes in southern and southeastern Afghanistan.
(DallasNews.com News Source)
© 2001 The Dallas Morning News

Dan