A number of people believe that Gulbuddin Hekmatyar could help bring peace to Afghanistan if he joins the government in a mood of good will and cooperation. But others reject this notion and say negotiations with Hekmatyar are worse than useless.

The presidential administration has recently confirmed that it is in face-to-face talks with a delegation sent by Hezb-e-Islami, a party chaired by insurgent leader Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. This is just one of a series of rumored negotiations with the armed opposition – the Afghan government has been trying to bring the armed opposition to the table for two years now.

Analysts believe that war is not the only solution to Afghanistan’s security problems. In fact, civilians have been suffering from nearly 30 years of armed conflict. It is time to ask ordinary people how they feel about peace talks.

Toba Osmani, a resident of Khair Khana district of Kabul, says that Hekmatyar should not allow the country to be destroyed and its youth to perish. “If he calls himself an Afghan, he cannot do this,” she said. “Only Afghans can build Afghanistan.”

Sajia Sayeedi, 24, says Gulbuddin has brought only war to the country. “Still, it would be good if he would stop fighting and join the government to support peace,” she said.

Haji Payenda, resident of Char-De-Hee district of Kabul, agrees with Sajia. “If (Gulbuddin) stops firing rockets at Kabul and tried to bring peace and stabilization, it would be a good thing,” he said.

Mrs. Aziza, 38, who lives in Microrayon 4 and works as a journalist, has a different view. “Peace cannot be brought by Hekmatyar alone,” she said. “There are other opponents including Mullah Omer who still stand against the government.”
 
Shila, who works at the Azadi printing press, is more upbeat. “The areas under Hekmatyar’s influence will stabilize if he joins the government,” she said.

Abdul Qudos, 58, a resident of Kabul and a member of the Council for Vulnerable and Displaced People, says that the cooperation of the international community is essential in order to bring peace to Afghanistan.

 “If our international friends really show their goodwill and ask other opponents including Mullah Omer to join the government, this will bring peace to the country,” he said.
 
The Council for Vulnerable and Displaced People was established in 2005 and now has more than 3 million members throughout the country, said Sayeer Khan, 60, head of southeastern sub-office of the council,. The council is to establish wide cooperation between vulnerable and displaced people throughout the country. “There will never be peace in our country unless all sides – the Afghan government, the international community, and the opposition – demonstrate their good will,” he said.

Some people are more optimistic than others about negotiations with Hekmatyar and his Hezb-e-Islami party.
 
“We want peace and any members of the opposition who join the government are our brothers,” said Merza Mohammad, 57, living in Gul Bagh district of Kabul.

Ghulam Rabbani Haqiqi, a resident of Bibi Mahro district of Kabul, is even more optimistic. “If the opposition joins the government we will have not only peace but true democracy,” he said.

But others are more pessimistic.

“History repeats itself,” said Abdullah, 36, a vegetable seller in Kabul. “If Hekmatyar joins the government there will never be peace.”

 In addition, a number of people do not believe president Karzai’s words and his promises.

A 60-year-old farmer, planting vegetables on his land in Microrayan 1 said, “We may have an elected president and parliament but we have seen nothing positive; so how can we expect another person to come and work for people?” he said.

There are also scores of people who know nothing about political deals and do not want to comment.
 
“I do not know whether the situation will get better or worse if Hekmatyar joins the government,” Said Abdul Qayum, 22, living in the Bibi Mahro district of  Kabul.

Shapoor, an 11th grade student at Abdul Hadi Dawi high school, believes that Hekmatyar can help bring peace if he has learned from the past.

 “The percentage of war will decrease by 50% if Hekmatyar joins the government,” said Taza Mir, 40, a resident of Mohammad Agha district of Logar province.

However, many people believe that bringing peace to Afghanistan is impossible unless the neighboring countries (Pakistan, Iran) stop interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
“Experience has shown that Mujaheddin leaders did not even keep the promises they made in Mecca,” said Azim Jan, 35, a former military officer. “So how can we believe that Hekmatray will not break his word again?”

Considering the experience of the Mujaheddin era, people have many questions about the peace process.

“Once one fails a test s/he cannot pass it again immediately,” said Javid, 45, working in Afgan-Osman private construction company. “Judgment day arrives and every one will be accountable for his/her actions.”

Some people question ISAF’s actions.

“Why cannot the entire foreign countries together stop war in Afghanistan?” asked Rohollah, 22, a graduate of Bagrami high school.

Many Afghans believe in unity and cooperative efforts to stabilize the country. “Peace will not come to Afghanistan unless all leaders and political parties agree,” said Mirajuddin, a seller of mobile phone top-up cards.

Asel, a student of political science at a private university, is not hopeful. “Instead of bringing criminals to justice, the government deals with them. It is a bad action” He said.

Negotiations with Hezb-e-Islami are occurring at a time when human rights advocates, parliamentarians, and political analysts ask the government to develop a clear strategy for negotiating with its opponents. According to popular sentiment, all negotiations should reflect people’s demands and aspirations and the rights of war victims should not be ignored in such deals.