Mac
06-16-06, 11:25 PM
Taliban leader renounces rebels, thanks Canadians (http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060615/afghanistan_defector_060616/20060616?hub=TopStories)
Steve Chao, CTV News
KANDAHAR -- Rolled out in a wheelchair and surrounded by heavily-armed coalition soldiers, a visibly ill Mullah Mohammed Ibrahim shares his decision to support the Afghan government.
"I want all Afghans to abandon hostilities," he says, "and to unite for peace."
To have a senior Taliban commander lay down his arms is a major public relations coup for coalition forces, especially coming a day after insurgents killed 10 civilian contractors on their way to work at the Kandahar Airfield base.
Under a special Afghan-run amnesty program, called "Peace Through Strength", Ibrahim will join more than 1,500 insurgents in being repatriated into civilian life. His past crimes and associations are supposed to be forgiven.
That is the thorny issue. Afghan authorities say Ibrahim organized attacks on Canadian forces in the now-famed "Battle of Panjwai" (a battle that refers to fierce firefights between Canadian soldiers and insurgents in the Panjwai district, located just southwest of Kandahar city).
It was there that a Canadian patrol was ambushed, and Captain Nichola Goddard was killed.
Ibrahim's reputation as the "one-legged mullah" fighter is renowned. When caught riding on a motorcycle by Afghan authorities on May 19, he was already being sought after for orchestrating a spate of suicide and roadside bomb attacks on coalition convoys.
"Mullah Ibrahim was not a normal Taliban," says Asadullah Khalid, Kandahar's governor, "He was a planner for all suicide and IED (bomb) attacks."
It's a claim Ibrahim himself denies. The Taliban fighter says he last fought against American forces in 2001, and has lived some time in Pakistan.
Ibrahim goes further to say he was on his way to turn himself in, and seek amnesty through the repatriation program, when he was caught.
When arrested, Ibrahim was already extremely ill, suffering from a severe liver disease.
Maj. Mario Couture, a Canadian military spokesperson, says Ibrahim went into coma shortly after being admitted to hospital, casting doubt over his ability to carry out attacks.
But Afghan authority sources say, while not acting directly as a fighter, Ibrahim did orchestrate attacks.
Under the guidelines, the Peace Through Strength program is only to accept "non-criminal former combatants." Ibrahim's alleged activities in recent months should prevent his enrollment. Others have been tried and jailed for acting in similar roles for the Taliban.
However, Couture say his value for being able to win over other Taliban fighters could trump past crimes. "It's not our decision, it's an Afghan decision, and whatever they decide is best for their country, we're here to support them."
It was Canadian medics who ultimately nursed Ibrahim back to health. But it was a visit with Canada's battlegroup commander, Lt. Col. Ian Hope, that convinced him to lay down his arms.
"I did not question him about his connections to the Taliban, not once," Hope said. "We talked about farming, we talked about chocolate and tea."
Hope also talked about his own mother's battle with liver disease; a very human conversation that convinced Ibrahim to change sides.
"I would particularly like to thank Canada, (Lt.) Col. Hope and the doctors for helping me," Ibrahim said.
Started in May of last year, just how effective such amnesty programs are in convincing militants to leave the fight for good, has yet to be seen. But the Canadian military is counting on this program in their counter-insurgency strategy. And Couture speculates that if more converts are won over by Ibrahim, it could ultimately save Canadian soldiers' lives.
Steve Chao, CTV News
KANDAHAR -- Rolled out in a wheelchair and surrounded by heavily-armed coalition soldiers, a visibly ill Mullah Mohammed Ibrahim shares his decision to support the Afghan government.
"I want all Afghans to abandon hostilities," he says, "and to unite for peace."
To have a senior Taliban commander lay down his arms is a major public relations coup for coalition forces, especially coming a day after insurgents killed 10 civilian contractors on their way to work at the Kandahar Airfield base.
Under a special Afghan-run amnesty program, called "Peace Through Strength", Ibrahim will join more than 1,500 insurgents in being repatriated into civilian life. His past crimes and associations are supposed to be forgiven.
That is the thorny issue. Afghan authorities say Ibrahim organized attacks on Canadian forces in the now-famed "Battle of Panjwai" (a battle that refers to fierce firefights between Canadian soldiers and insurgents in the Panjwai district, located just southwest of Kandahar city).
It was there that a Canadian patrol was ambushed, and Captain Nichola Goddard was killed.
Ibrahim's reputation as the "one-legged mullah" fighter is renowned. When caught riding on a motorcycle by Afghan authorities on May 19, he was already being sought after for orchestrating a spate of suicide and roadside bomb attacks on coalition convoys.
"Mullah Ibrahim was not a normal Taliban," says Asadullah Khalid, Kandahar's governor, "He was a planner for all suicide and IED (bomb) attacks."
It's a claim Ibrahim himself denies. The Taliban fighter says he last fought against American forces in 2001, and has lived some time in Pakistan.
Ibrahim goes further to say he was on his way to turn himself in, and seek amnesty through the repatriation program, when he was caught.
When arrested, Ibrahim was already extremely ill, suffering from a severe liver disease.
Maj. Mario Couture, a Canadian military spokesperson, says Ibrahim went into coma shortly after being admitted to hospital, casting doubt over his ability to carry out attacks.
But Afghan authority sources say, while not acting directly as a fighter, Ibrahim did orchestrate attacks.
Under the guidelines, the Peace Through Strength program is only to accept "non-criminal former combatants." Ibrahim's alleged activities in recent months should prevent his enrollment. Others have been tried and jailed for acting in similar roles for the Taliban.
However, Couture say his value for being able to win over other Taliban fighters could trump past crimes. "It's not our decision, it's an Afghan decision, and whatever they decide is best for their country, we're here to support them."
It was Canadian medics who ultimately nursed Ibrahim back to health. But it was a visit with Canada's battlegroup commander, Lt. Col. Ian Hope, that convinced him to lay down his arms.
"I did not question him about his connections to the Taliban, not once," Hope said. "We talked about farming, we talked about chocolate and tea."
Hope also talked about his own mother's battle with liver disease; a very human conversation that convinced Ibrahim to change sides.
"I would particularly like to thank Canada, (Lt.) Col. Hope and the doctors for helping me," Ibrahim said.
Started in May of last year, just how effective such amnesty programs are in convincing militants to leave the fight for good, has yet to be seen. But the Canadian military is counting on this program in their counter-insurgency strategy. And Couture speculates that if more converts are won over by Ibrahim, it could ultimately save Canadian soldiers' lives.