Abdul Salam Rocketti

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Abdul Salam Rocketti is a Taliban commander known for shooting down a Soviet helicopter during the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.[1]

Rocketti stood for election to Afghanistan's legislature in 2005.[1] The Asia Times described him as one of the former Taliban who: "...act as the Taliban's political wing in Kabul."[2]

According to the Sydney Morning Herald Rocketti, commenting on a recent Taliban offensive in 2006, said[3]:

"They don't have the power to take territory and hold it for a long time. But they can disturb the peace and, day by day, that causes instability … they can't fight the foreigners for long periods, but they can take on the Afghan military."

In the summer of 2007 Rocketti and Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Taliban's former Ambassador to Pakistan were reported to have entered into negotiation with the more moderate factions within the Taliban.[4][5] According to the Asia Times:

"An official of a Kabul-based European body that has had a major role in facilitating the talks between the Taliban and coalition forces confirmed to Asia Times Online, on condition of anonymity, that high-level talks between Taliban commanders and coalition forces through Rocketti and Zaeef had taken place in an attempt to find a broader political settlement."

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Former Taliban leaders renounce past to stand in Afghan elections, The Independent, September 15, 2005
  2. ^ M K Bhadrakumar. "Afghan battle lines become blurred", Asia Times, May 19, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 
  3. ^ Paul McGeough. "Afghanistan wakes to false dawn", Sydney Morning Herald, July 15, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 
  4. ^ Syed Saleem Shahzad. "Talks with the Taliban gain ground", Asia Times, August 24, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 
  5. ^ M.K. Bhadrakumar. "Staying the course in Afghanistan", Saturday, October 6, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-03. 
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