First Pashtun Delegation From Eastern Afghanistan Establishes Contacts With New Authorities In Kabul

The first Pashtun delegation--representatives of the new administration of the eastern province Nangarhar--has left for Kabul to negotiate with the Northern Alliance leadership, the NNI agency reports. Shortly after the Northern Alliance regained control over Kabul, the so-called Eastern Shuurah /the council of leaders of three eastern provinces--Kunar, Nangarhar and Lagman/ has deployed its troops in these provinces. Jelalabad /capital of Nangarhar/ Mayor Abdul Gafar said in an interview with NNI that two delegates had been sent to Kabul. The delegates are General Inspector of the Police Noor Aga and local garrison commander Haji Malang Yar. They are to meet Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani, some ministers and the new administration of Kabul. This will be the first political contact between the Northern Alliance and the Eastern Shuurah representatives /Pashtuns/. According to the Jelalabad mayor, the delegates will report about the situation in Nangarhar and discuss ways of possible cooperation between two Afghan groups.