An aide to former Afghan king Mohammed Zahir Shah accused the Northern Alliance of breaking a deal with the exiled monarch by entering Kabul and voiced fears for the safety of the capital's residents. The aide, Abdul Sattar Sirat, said Zahir Shah was surprised by the unexpected capture of the city by Northern Alliance soldiers, which he said was contrary to an agreement to keep military forces out of Kabul.
This was something new and beyond our expectations. It was agreed before that Kabul be demilitarised, Sirat told reporters from Rome in a telephone interview.
We do not know the reason why (they entered Kabul), but we are concerned about the safety of the people's lives and property, he added.
His majesty is concerned about the safety of the people.
Ignoring repeated warnings from Washington, the Alliance forces entered Kabul after Taliban troops pulled out overnight towards their southwestern stronghold of Kandahar.
A senior anti-Taliban official, Yunis Qanooni, in Kabul told reporters that the Alliance has no plans to rule the country and remains committed to a peace process under the ex-king, saying We are just here to keep security and stop criminals from bothering our citizens. Sirat, believed to be influential in outlining elderly Zahir Shah's policies, however complained that both sides had agreed that a security and administrative body should have been assigned by both sides to take charge of affairs in case the Taliban left Kabul.
This military occupation should have been avoided. Things have gone beyond the political process framework, he said.
Bureau Report