Taleban Regime Inauguration Imminent... Conciliatory Gesture in First Press Conference

Taleban Leader Enters Afghanistan... New Government Formation Nears
Taleban Proposes Conciliatory Policies... NYT Says "Seems to Be Managing Image"
Checkpoints and Surprise Inspections Spread Fear Politics in Many Areas
G7 to Discuss Afghanistan Crisis... UK Says "International Community Must Prevent Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis"

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar (center) [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The Taliban, an armed group in Afghanistan, announced more conciliatory policies than before during their first press conference after seizing the capital Kabul, including respecting women's rights and allowing maximum freedom of the press. While the U.S. government and Western countries have not recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan, this is seen as a gesture by the Taliban to gain legitimacy from the international community. Meanwhile, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the de facto leader of the Taliban, has entered Afghanistan, marking the formal start of the regime's establishment.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced on Twitter on the 17th (local time) that Baradar arrived at Kandahar Airport in southern Afghanistan that afternoon. This was just two days after the Taliban seized Kabul on the 15th. Baradar, a co-founder and the de facto leader of the Taliban, has represented the Taliban in peace talks with the Afghan government that began in Doha, Qatar, last September.

Baradar, born in 1968, is said to have returned to Afghanistan after about ten years. The Taliban are expected to begin forming a new government centered around Baradar. The location of the Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, remains unknown.

The Washington Post (WP) analyzed that with Baradar's arrival, the announcement of the Taliban's new governing system may be imminent. Baradar previously led the Taliban leadership in peace negotiations with former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

Accordingly, the Taliban's conciliatory stance after taking over Afghanistan, unlike before, is gaining traction as a gesture to secure legitimacy as an official government.

At the first press conference after seizing Afghanistan, Taliban spokesperson Mujahid emphasized, "We will respect women's rights within the framework of Islamic law and plan to allow women's employment and education," adding, "Since a pardon decree has already been issued, there will be no revenge against those who cooperated with the previous government forces or foreign troops."

Jabihullah Mujahid, Taliban Spokesperson [Photo by EPA Yonhap News]

He continued, "We want independent civil media activities within Afghanistan," but added, "However, journalists must not act against the values of the state."

Previously, during their first rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban strictly controlled society under Islamic Sharia law. Entertainment such as dancing, music, and TV was banned, amputation of thieves' hands was widespread, and stoning to death was permitted for women who committed adultery.

In particular, women faced restrictions on employment and various social activities and were deprived of educational opportunities. When going out, they had to wear a burqa, a black cloth covering the entire face.

Accordingly, Western countries including the U.S. expressed concerns that the Taliban might reinstate such violent control policies and stated they would only officially recognize the Taliban government if it respects human rights.

Ned Price, U.S. Department of State Spokesperson
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, emphasized at a press conference on the 16th, "Our attitude toward the Afghan government going forward will ultimately depend on the actions of that government," highlighting the importance of not harboring terrorists and guaranteeing basic rights, including those of women and girls who make up half the population.

The New York Times (NYT) described the Taliban's press conference as "showing the Taliban's willingness to gain recognition from the international community and managing their image," but also noted, "The international community still remains skeptical of the Taliban's conciliatory policies based on their past actions."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

In fact, as the Taliban swiftly took control of Afghanistan, reports of terror politics occurring in various places have emerged, leading to criticism that the Taliban's conciliatory policy announcements are a 'camouflage tactic.'

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) introduced the case of an Afghan-Canadian woman staying at a hotel in Kabul on the 16th. According to the report, when the Taliban suddenly stormed the hotel, the woman immediately hid in her hotel room. Taliban forces forced her to come out of the room and then conducted a surprise search, rummaging through her wallet and bag. When the woman's husband strongly protested, the Taliban members reportedly struck his face, WSJ reported.

Earlier, CNN reported a case from last month in a Taliban-controlled area, predicting the Taliban's terror politics targeting women.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to the report, last month Taliban members stormed the home of an Afghan woman and forced her to cook for them. When the woman refused, citing her poverty and inability to cook, the Taliban members brutally beat her with their rifles, CNN reported. The woman reportedly died from the aftereffects of the assault.

Additionally, Taliban members who recently took control of Kabul have set up checkpoints throughout the city and are conducting surprise inspections of citizens.

WSJ reported that Taliban members frequently check pedestrians' mobile phones at checkpoints to see if they contain contact information of government officials or messages exchanged in English. This appears to be aimed at identifying Afghans who collaborated with U.S. forces. WSJ added that citizens who refuse inspections are beaten or denied passage through checkpoints.

NYT reported that Afghan citizens, fearing the Taliban's terror politics, are refraining from going out or fleeing. CNN reported that women, worried about the Taliban's oppressive policies, have been buying burqas (clothing covering the entire body except the eyes) in large numbers, causing burqa prices to soar more than tenfold.

Foreign media also noted that the Taliban's statement in the press conference about respecting women's rights "within the boundaries of Islamic law" raises skepticism in the international community. NYT assessed, "The credibility of the conciliatory policies claimed by the Taliban is increasingly diminishing."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a summit call on the same day to discuss the Afghanistan situation.

This was the first time President Biden spoke with a foreign leader regarding the issue since the Afghanistan crisis began.

The two leaders discussed the need for continuous and close cooperation among allies and democratic partners concerning Afghanistan policy.

They also agreed to hold a virtual summit of the Group of Seven (G7) leaders next week.

The British Prime Minister's Office released a statement saying, "The two leaders agreed to work closely to enable as many people as possible to leave Afghanistan and agreed that the international community must strive to prevent a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.