Agence France Presse
May 24, 2002 Friday 2:45 AM Eastern Time
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 295 words
HEADLINE: Rebel warlord takes over governor's house in Khost province: report
DATELINE: ISLAMABAD, May 24
BODY:
An Afghan warlord has captured the governor's house in the troubled eastern province of Khost after failing to become governor of neighbouring Paktia province, the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported Friday.
Forces loyal to warlord Padsha Khan took the official residence without a fight early this week, ousting Mohammad Hakeem Taniwal, a nominee of Afghan interim administration leader Hamid Karzai, the Pakistan-based news agency said. "Karzai is playing foul with Pashtuns. We want him to resign and we do not accept his nominations for the province," AIP quoted Khan as saying in a telephone interview from the governor's residence.
Khan was initially appointed as governor of neighbouring Paktia province by Karzai but he failed to take office after members of a local council of elders refused to accept him.
Bloody clashes last month between Khan's forces and supporters of the new governor there, Taj Mohammad Wardak, left more than 100 people killed and wounded.
Khan denied he was responsible for the bloodshed.
"Karzai's wrong policies in eastern provinces have led to the killing of dozens of people in Paktia. Karzai is responsible for these murders. I am ready to face Karzai in any court to know who is responsible for the bloodshed."
Khan said hoped the US and coalition forces engaged fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda terror network would not intervene against him as they should keep clear of "our internal problems."
Khan said Pashtuns had been victimised in the run-up to the Loya Jirga, or grand assembly, which is to choose a new government for Afghanistan next month, by being given fewer seats that they deserved.
He said he supported former king Zahir Shah to take up the leadership role in the country, AIP reported.