Wanted tribesmen offer to surrender (al Qaeda in Wana)

PakTribine ^ | April 12, 2004 | Journalist

[AdmSmith]

WANA: The tribesmen wanted by the government on the charges of harbouring foreign militants have offered to surrender them to political administration if the tribal jirga declares them culprits.

A jirga comprising tribal elders, Ulema and representatives of seven agencies and one representative of FR held talks with the wanted persons at some unknown place. The group of wanted tribesmen comprised 200 persons including Nek Muhammad, Noor Islam and Muhammad Sharif.

In case the government is found at fault, it should not only tender apology but also compensate the loss caused to tribesmen during the military operation, they added.

The tribesmen have refuted the charges against them for providing sanctuary to the foreign militants.

The alleged supporters of foreign militants came up there with 120 armed persons. One wanted person Maulvi Abbas had sent his representative. Another Abdul Aziz was not present there.

Explaining the position of wanted tribesmen, Nek Muhammad said that they are not providing shelter to any foreigner. Political administration and government demolished their houses in defiance of tribal traditions, indulged in loot and plunder spree and destroyed their gardens of apples.

Denying the allegation of the government that those who were involved in providing sanctuary to the foreign militants belong to Yar Gul tribe, they said that tribesmen who are present here alongwith us belong to other tribes and not Yar Gul tribe. Government has harassed them. Government violated the decisions of jirga four times and launched military operation without affording any opportunity to jirga.

Giving details of the excesses perpetrated by the government, he pointed out that orchards of apples were destroyed and water wells were closed down.

The jirga sought time of one day from the alleged associates of foreign militants to take up and discuss their demands with the government.

[AdmSmith]

Expect more like this later this week.

[AdmSmith]

Blame it on the Yar Gul tribe and claim apple damage.

[BlazingArizona]

A jirga comprising tribal elders, Ulema and representatives of seven agencies and one representative of FR held talks with the wanted persons at some unknown place.

Now there's one FReeper who has an incredible story to tell...

[mabelkitty]

It could be any one of us.....who was noticably absent over the week-end?

; )

[Dog]

I'm crazy....but I don't have a death wish.

[LibWhacker]

. . . surrender them . . . IF the tribal jirga declares them culprits.

A meaningless gesture.

[Cap Huff]

I was here and I can prove it.

[AdmSmith]

The Internet is working in Wana as well.

[Cap Huff]

Wana bet?






Or is that Wana net?

[swarthyguy]

There's a cabana,
By the gymkhana,
In the village of Wana,
But no Osama.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Send them to Washington to pick apples.

[AdmSmith]

More tribal names for your database:

WANA: The tribal elders Sunday held talks with the Zalikhel leaders in a jirga called in to convince the sub tribes of Zalikhel for handing over the wanted local harbourers of al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects hiding in the regions under their control.

The elders of one sub tribe, Yadokhel, refused to extend their cooperation in locating Nek Muhammad, Muhammad Sharif, Abdul Aziz and Gul Islam, government-wanted sympathizers of suspected militants and their consequent handing over to the Political Administration, saying they are unable to do something in this regard.

During the jirga, the leaders of Usmankhel, Kakakhel, Sheikh Wazirkhel and Yadokhel tribes apprised the jirga about their replies to the government requests about cooperation in dislodging al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects allegedly hiding in the afghan-bordering areas controlled by them.

Sardar Malik Behar Khan, the chief of Kakakhel tribe, said the government wants one man of his tribe for providing sanctuary to the suspected militants.

He held out the assurance to the jirga that the wanted man will be handed over to the political administration shortly. The chief said all the demands and conditions of the administration will also be effectively met in future.

Sardar Malik Behar said no suspected militant will be left in the area under their control and the tribal people will extend maximum possible support and cooperation in government efforts for flushing out militants from the area.

Elders of the Usmankhel tribe also came up with the same standpoint against al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects and their local sympathizers.

However, Yadokhel tribe refused to extend their cooperation in handing over Nek Muhammad, Muhammad Sharif, Abdul Aziz and Gul Islam, who are accused of harbouring suspects in the area.

They expressed their helplessness in the matter, saying they are unable to arrest them.

The elders sought help of another tribe, Ahmedzai Wazir, in fight against militants allegedly hiding in the troubled area, where the military forces carried out strong crackdown against the al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects recently.

Meanwhile, the jirga decided another meeting will be held in Wana today to settle the dispute with Southern Waziristan administration, jirga elders and Ahmadzai Wazir attending the moot.

People are anticipating a big military offensive in the area if the tribal jirga fails to sort out imbroglio.
http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.php?id=61430

[Dog]

How do these people ever accomplish anything....they call more meetings than you can shake a stick at.

Question when is the next American bigshot scheduled to visit with Mush?

[swarthyguy]

SOmehow I get the feeling the US is a little miffed at Mush.

No bigshots, just US SF making forays into the badlands.

[AdmSmith]

Mush is planning for a long engagement, he is building a new air base in Wana.

[Cap Huff]

Rumsfeld was supposed to visit around the middle of April. I'd have to go find the original news item about that. I can't say as I've heard anything recently about the visit. Perhaps it has been postponed.