Afghanistan: Conflicting Consensus

Conflicting Consensus

The stormy two-week session was marred by infighting and last-minute reversals. But last week outside Islamabad, a council of the seven Pakistan- based mujahedin factions at last agreed on a formula for sharing power if they overthrow the Soviet-backed government of President Najibullah in Afghanistan.

Abdul Rasul Sayyaf, leader of the fundamentalist Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan, was named the potential Prime Minister, while Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, leader of the moderate Afghan National Liberation Front, would be President. Five other rebel leaders also received Cabinet assignments.

The agreement reached by the guerrillas impressed U.S. and Pakistani observers, but the unity...

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