Iran Supports a Powerful Government

London Conference and the Future of Karzai’s administration. Interview with Mohammad Reza Bahrami, former ambassador to Afghanistan.

What are the most important recent developments in Afghanistan politics, especially after Karzai’s reelection and Obama’s new strategy?

Probably announcing a date for London Conference where Afghan officials and the international community will discuss a new reform plan for Afghanistan. There was also the unexpected vote of parliament to Karzai’s cabinet. Nearly 70% of his nominees were rejected by the legislature. This has increased considerable pressure on Karzai’s administration before on the threshold of the London Conference. Karzai has also called for the loya jirga to be convened after the London Conference.

How do you see challenges for democracy after the elections, especially with the parliament’s vote to Karzai’s cabinet? How are these challenges going to affect the administration in future?

If Karzai fails to gain the support of other bodies of the state, especially the legislature, he can’t construct the powerful government image that he wants. How can he talk of forming the loya jirga and inviting insurgents to join the government when he has problems with the parliament? He needs to construct convergence among state forces at first to enter a deal with insurgents from a stronger position. We can’t blame the parliament for not voting in favor of Karzai’s nominees. The parliament has just used their legal rights. But the need for a harmony between the executive and the legislature is felt more than ever.

How will the recent developments –Karzai’s challenges and increase of foreign troops in Afghanistan- affect Tehran-Kabul ties?

Afghanistan can get on the stability and security track if the government assumes the key role in confronting challenges, if it takes over further responsibilities and if foreign countries decrease their presence step by step. History shows us that the foreign troops have never managed to foster the stability and security Afghanistan and its neighbors are looking for. Relying on military power of foreign countries is not the solution. It can’t return stability to Afghanistan.

For Iran close relations with Afghanistan are vitally important. Islamic Republic has based its policy on supporting Afghanistan’s legitimate government. It wants an Afghan government that develops its potentials and shoulders administrative tasks, so that foreign troops would leave the country.