An Exlusive Interview with the Taliban’s Deputy Leader

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR: You have only recently shown yourself publicly. Here, it was at a police passing out parade. This is your first proper interview. Why now?

SIRAJUDDIN HAQQANI, ACTING AFGHAN INTERIOR MINISTER (through translator): Based on the current necessity, and because of this necessity, the local and international community had concerns, based on the concerns that existed on local and international levels about a number of individuals who do not want to be blamed for implementing the commitments that have been made with international community.

AMANPOUR: The only thing we really know about your thoughts now is something you wrote for “The New York Times” back a couple of years ago at the beginning of negotiations with the Trump administration. You wrote then that, “I’m confident, “and you said, “once this territory is liberated, we together will find a way to build an Islamic system in which all Afghans have equal rights, where the rights of women that are granted by Islam, from the right to education, to the right to work are protected, and where merit is the basis for equal opportunity.” I want to know whether you still believe that.

HAQQANI (through translator): The commitments that have been made, the situation at the time was a situation of war. Opposing parties have provided a very bad picture and definition of our administration. We wanted to take over the government by peaceful means. And the former government, with the assistance of some other circles, sabotaged our particular plan or program, the transfer of power under military conditions. Currently, there are a large amount of rumors and hearsay. And for this reason, a strong decision is under way, so that we can implement the commitments that have been made by us within an environment of trust, so that we can implement those commitments.