Afghan rebels favoured coup against regime.

Opposition leaders fear strikes will backfire


Afghan rebels favoured coup against regime.

Rory McCarthy in Peshawar
Monday October 8, 2001
The Guardian

Even before last night's military strikes, senior Afghan commanders,
politicians and tribal leaders were plotting to overthrow the Taliban regime
with a lightning coup backed by an armed revolt.

Abdul Haq, one of the key military figures in the plot, said an operation
could have been completed within weeks.

For months Mr Haq said he tried to sell the idea of a revolt to the American
administration but with little success.

He criticised the British government's support for a strike on Afghanistan
and said the attacks from abroad would plunge the country deeper into civil
war and may not even topple the Taliban.

"Many people are disappointed with Tony Blair. He comes from a democratic
government and he should realise this is a chance for Afghans to choose their
own government. But he is desperate to start bombing our people."

"This will not be the end of the problem; it will just change its face."

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